danciennes

Danciennes is a term used in some scholarly and performing contexts to denote a broad category of traditional dances considered historical or old, typically associated with medieval, Renaissance, and early modern Europe. The concept encompasses both court dances performed at aristocratic gatherings and social dances practiced in towns, as well as step patterns described in historical sources rather than preserved as living practice.

Etymology and scope: The word is not standardized; it fuses the idea of dance with the French word anciennes meaning ancient, reflecting an emphasis on original or early forms. In revival and academic circles, danciennes contrasts with modern choreographies or contemporary dance works.

Sources and periodization: Danciennes are reconstructed from period treatises, notations, and iconography. Key sources include Thoinot Arbeau's Orchésographie (1589), which describes choreography, music, and etiquette; Raoul-Auger Feuillet's Chorégraphie (1700), introducing a widely used notation system. Music manuscripts from the Renaissance or early Baroque periods typically accompany many dances. Some regional repertoires are known only from paintings, inventories, or indirect references.

Practice and reconstruction: Modern scholars and early-music ensembles reconstruct danciennes by combining textual descriptions, notations, and surviving tunes. Reconstructions aim to reflect historical context, social function, and performative aesthetics, though precise steps are often debated due to incomplete records. Performances emphasize stylized figures, measured tempo, and standardized formations such as pavanes, galliards, branles, allemandes, and other court or urban dances.

Contemporary reception: The study of danciennes informs both historical understanding and present-day performance practice. Debates focus on fidelity to sources, interpretation of ambiguous steps, and balancing scholarly accuracy with audience accessibility.