Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In addition to many sacred works, Michael Praetorius (1571 - 1621) published Terpsichore, a collection of 312 dances, mostly of French origin. Many of these dances, such as the present one, consist of a series of short pieces. In modern French, the title would be "Branle de la Reine" ("Ballet of the Queen"). If a specific queen is intended, it may have been Anne of Austria (1601 - 1666) or Louise of Lorraine (1553 - 1601), who is pictured here. In this piece for four voices, I play the top three voices on recorders and the bottom voice on bass viola da gamba.
In addition to many sacred works, Michael Praetorius (1571 - 1621) published Terpsichore, a collection of 312 dances, mostly of French origin. Many of these dances, such as the present one, consist of a series of short pieces. In modern French, the title would be "Branle de la Reine" ("Ballet of the Queen"). If a specific queen is intended, it may have been Anne of Austria (1601 - 1666) or Louise of Lorraine (1553 - 1601), who is pictured here. In this piece for four voices, I play the top three voices on recorders and the bottom voice on bass viola da gamba.
