Clog Dances Fom The Lanca-Clog Dances from the Lancashire Cotton Mills arranged for Two Violins (or Violin & Viola) with optional Cello. Clog dancing originated in the North of England over 200 years ago. It is thought to have developed in the Lancashire Cotton Mills where wooden-soled clogs were preferred to leather soles because the floors were kept wet to help keep the humidity high an important feature in cotton spinning as the nails in leather soles could cause sparks which could result in the risk of explosion.The Clog dance steps were inspired by the rhythmic sounds of the textile machinery and it is said to have first been danced by girls working in the cotton mills. Theywould beat out a rhythm with their wooden clogs to keep in time with the shuttle flying backwards and forwards across the loom. They would also sing choruses whilst stepping to the rhythm of their machines.There were a variety of machines in the many mills of the Midlands and North West each machine built for a specific function. There were many rhythms and as the girls clog danced it is said that those watching the dancers could tell which machines they worked at and from which mill.Clog dancers were also a common sight not only at the mill's lunch breaks but also at competitions in towns and in Music Halls throughout the 19^th and 20th centuries.

Trio for two Violins and Basso continuo in E-flat major (TWV 42:Es1)Tafelmusik IIf Telemann was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the greatest of all composers his star faced with the overwhelming presence of Bach and Handel paled in the course of the 19th century to the verge of contempt. This assessment changed radically during the course of the last century. Through the systematic exploration of his music Telemann once considered purely an instrumental composer has emerged into a highly cultivated culturally well-connected and enormously versatile artistic personality who left an indelible mark on the musical life of his time. Again and againwe discover an individual approach in his works that seems to abandon the musical conventions of his day both large and small.The Tafelmusik (Musique de Table) is a collection of chamber pieces for various ensembles arranged into 3 parts and is perhaps Telemann's most celebrated collection of music. Composed in 1733 the Tafelmusik clearly demonstrates Telemann's skill in handling a diversity of musical genres and a variety of instruments.- Urtext of the Telemann Edition