Court Ayres - Selection of Dance Movements
- Master refined court dances
- Develop aristocratic style
- Execute sophisticated phrasing
- Perfect English court idiom
About This Piece
Compiler: John Playford (Various Composers)
Difficulty: Late Intermediate
Notes Used: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C, D (high), E (high), F# (high), G (high)
Key: D Major
Form: Suite of Court Dances
Selection of Movements
Stately German court dance in English style.
Lively French court dance adapted to English taste.
Slow Spanish dance with English refinement.
Performance Practice Notes
- Court style: Refined, aristocratic character
- Continental dances: English adaptations of European forms
Historical Context
Playford's collections of "Court Ayres" brought Continental court dances to English audiences. These pieces represent the internationalization of English court music, blending French, German, and Spanish dances with English refinement. This completes your study of Playford collections, demonstrating the full range of English Baroque dance and air traditions.