| 62572 | English Country Reels and Dances |
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| Sancho, Ignatius (Arr. Woolstenhulme, Jeremy) |  Score
 mp3 audio
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| Category: String Orchestra |
| Grade: Medium Easy |
| Instrumentation: str=8.8(5).5.5.5 |
| Comments: Four Dances from Twelve Country Dances for the Year 1779: Lady Mary Montagu’s Reel; Lord Dalkeith Reel; The Royal Bishop; Duchess of Devonshire. |
| Description: Sancho (1729-1780) was born on a slave ship bound for the Spanish West Indies, and became the first British Black published composer. Originally composed for harpsichord, this upbeat medley comprises of four dances and reels from his Twelve Country Dances for the Year 1779, and are reminiscent of British social dancing during the mid to late 18th century. Originally country dancing was referred to as the dance of the upper classes, and are fairly simple and not terribly formal. When music of this style was published, they were organized into collections and dancing figures were often included in the publications. These figures referred to formations made by the dancers such as circular, round, and other geometric patterns including squares and triangles. This arrangement is in G major, with only a few easy shifts for string bass. |