Court Festival

William P. Latham’s Court Festival is a suite in the style of instrumental dance music of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, used at various European court festivals and other ceremonies.  The “Intrada” (literally entrance) is an opening piece of festive or march-like character. The “Pavan” is a stately dance in duple meter; the “Galliard” is a gay dance in triple meter.  The “Branle” was a very popular 16th century dance. It was danced everywhere—in the country and in the courts—and included singing, swaying movements of the body and the hands, and pantomime. (Source: published score)