Jean d'Estrée's Books of Dance Music

Transcribed by Joseph Casazza

© copyright Joseph Casazza, 1998. You may transfer electronically the files containing text and music for your own study. Further use or reproduction requires permission from the author/transcriber. E-mail: jacasazza@juno.com

Introduction

Between 1559 and 1564, Jean d'Estrée, a professional musician ("joueur de Hautbois du Roy") edited and arranged dance music for the Parisian publisher, Nicolas du Chemin. In Thoinot Arbeau's Orchesographie, published in Langres in 1589, Arbeau suggests to his pupil, Capriol, that he look in the books of music printed by Pierre Attaignant and by Nicolas du Chemin in Paris for more music for basses dances and pavans. Attaignant's dance books are extant and have been published both in facsimile and in modern editions. Of Jean d'Estrée's dance music published by Nicolas du Chemin, only the superius and bassus parts of the first three books, and only the bassus part of the fourth book survive. Although this music was essentially reprinted by Pierre Phalèse in 1571, the special relationship between Jean d'Estrée's dance music and the unique source of French choreographies for this period, Thoinot Arbeau's Orchesographie, has led me to transcribe the extant parts of the dance music of Jean d'Estrée.

Premier livre de danseries

Contenant

14 Bransles Communs.

16 Bransles Gays.

20 Bransles de Champaigne.

6 Autres Bransles de Champaigne legiers.

1 Autre Bransle appellé le petit gentilhomme.

1 Autre Bransle des Lavandieres.

Le tout mis en Musique à quatre parties (appropriés tant à la voix humaine,

que pour jouer sur tous instruments musicalz) Par Jean d'Estrée,

joueur de Hautbois du Roy.

De l'imprimerie de Nicolas du Chemin, à l'ensigne du Griffon

d'argent, rue Saint Jean de Latran, à Paris.

1559

Avec privilege du Roy pour dix ans.

Bransles Communs

Bransles Gays

Bransles de Champaigne

Bransles de Champaigne Legiers

[Autre Bransles]

Last Update: August 31, 2000