Very little evidence survives about medieval dance
except what can be gleaned from paintings and works of
literature from this time period. Some names of the
dances which we know existed during the Middle
Ages.
Usually attached to the spirited skipping dance known
as a "saltarello," the trotto is a Medieval dance that
existed in many European countries. A particularly
lively and fascinating trotto, often performed by
instrumental groups dedicated to authentic historical
reconstruction,...(+)
Very little evidence survives about medieval dance
except what can be gleaned from paintings and works of
literature from this time period. Some names of the
dances which we know existed during the Middle
Ages.
Usually attached to the spirited skipping dance known
as a "saltarello," the trotto is a Medieval dance that
existed in many European countries. A particularly
lively and fascinating trotto, often performed by
instrumental groups dedicated to authentic historical
reconstruction, comes from fourteenth-century
manuscripts.
The tune is joyfully infused with the triple meter
swing of the type of music that depicts horse riding
and the fox hunt ("trotto" is Italian for the verb "to
trot"). The melody is in a pure Aeolian (minor) mode,
usually played here on the tonic of C.
The dancers must have had a wonderful time keeping up
with all the asymmetrical rhythmical surprises and
turn-arounds producing a feeling of floating "over the
beat."
Although originally written for period instruments &
percussion I created this arrangement for Flute and
Strings (Violin, Viola & Cello).
PARTITION