La Danserye (Susato)

La Danserye is a collection of instrumental dances published in 1551 in Antwerp by Tielman Susato. It is one of the most important and comprehensive publications of its kind from the Renaissance period.

Susato, a composer, instrumentalist, and music publisher, compiled and edited this collection, drawing on a variety of sources, including popular tunes, courtly dances, and his own compositions. La Danserye, meaning "The Dance Book," presents a diverse range of dance forms that were fashionable in the mid-16th century, providing valuable insight into the musical practices and social life of the time.

The collection includes dances such as basses danses, pavanes, gaillardes, allemandes, and branles. These dances were primarily intended for instrumental ensembles, often consisting of shawms, cornetts, sackbuts, recorders, viols, and percussion. Susato typically provided multiple instrumental parts for each dance, allowing for flexibility in performance.

La Danserye's importance stems from its preservation of numerous dance melodies and arrangements that might otherwise have been lost. It is a significant resource for musicians, historians, and dancers interested in the Renaissance. The collection has been extensively studied and performed, contributing significantly to the understanding and revival of Renaissance dance music. The dances are characterized by their clear melodic lines, lively rhythms, and contrasting moods, reflecting the elegance and vibrancy of the era.