Contredanse

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Contredanse

 

an English folk dance that developed in the 17th and 18th centuries. It later became popular in other European countries as a ball dance and was replaced in the 19th century by the quadrille.

The contredanse originally had one figure and then five or six; it is written in 2/4 or 6/8 time. John Playford was the first to write arrangements of the contredanse in the dance collection English Dancing Master (1651). As a musical form, the contredanse was used by such composers as Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky.

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LANCASTER - A contradance scheduled for noon to 5 p.
REGIONAL DIGEST
The dances captured in New England Dances include those listed in its subtitle "squares, quadrilles, and step dances," with only a brief look at the contradance, and the "Virginia Reel" formation dances that are fairly widespread in American cities as a revival tradition.
New England Dances: Squares, Quadrilles, Step Dances
Carr, an Irish piper par excellence, is best known for his work with the cult contradance and concert band, "The Hillbillies From Mars.
Grateful Dead Songs Inspire Celtic Celebration on Wake The Dead
Jim played flute, clarinet, and saxophone for Boston area contradances and weddings, initially with the infamous Roaring Jelly.
James M. Guinness, 64

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