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Alongside sacred music, including the well-known carol “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen,” Michael Praetorius (among several others of his time) published the extensive collection “Terpsichore” containing over 300 dance pieces. These individual pieces are typically quite short, leaving ample room for interpretation. While a complete recording is not readily available, there are several selected compilations. A recommended option on YouTube is Michael Praetorius Dances from Terpsichore (Complete), with a duration of 50:30, uploaded in 2013 and currently boasting nearly 300,000 views. It features selections from a cassette/LP/CD by the New London Consort under Philipp Pickett from 1986, with a diverse instrumentation including some instruments that are less common today, offering an unusual yet captivating sound. Despite the title suggesting completeness, it’s actually a curated selection of around two dozen numbers, each listed with its respective timestamp in the video description.
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Another notable compilation, recorded on CD in 1994 by Ricercar, features La Fenice under Jean Tubery and La Bande des Violons under Francois Fernandez, among others. The tracks from this recording have been uploaded individually on YouTube as 1 HOUR WITH PRAETORIUS: Discover the master of baroque ballet, with a total duration of 1:13:22, uploaded in 2019 and currently with over 13,000 views. This production includes a variety of dances from “Terpsichore” and other sources, providing a more holistic view of Praetorius’s work. The video description includes timestamps for individual tracks, facilitating navigation through the compilation.
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Additionally, there’s another CD upload on YouTube titled Dances from Terpsichore (1612), comprising 39 tracks totaling approximately 1:17:00 hours. This recording, from 2010 by the Praetorius Consort under Christopher Ball, presents not only Praetorius’s works but also pieces from other composers of the same era, providing a broader context. The instrumentation, featuring ancient instruments like the crumhorn, cornamuse, and dulcian, adds depth and color to the performance. Each track offers a unique listening experience, with notable selections such as “Nowel’s Galliard” (Track 21), known for its earworm qualities. Personal preferences may vary, as not every piece will appeal to every listener.