The almands in Gervaise and LeRoy in the 1550s are simple little dance
melodies in 4/4. The lengthy allemandes of the 17th century and into the
18th century are sophisticated and elusive. And then in the late 18th
century, now in 3 or 4 time, they are simple little dance tunes again.
Here are two allemandes played on the 'cistre ou guitarre allemandes'
(wire-strung, mostly chordal tuning) from c.1780. C.F.A Pollet was the
most prolific publisher for this instrument and these little tunes are
from one of his later publications. Pollet's 'cistre ou guitarre
allemande' was 7-course and even though the fashion by the 1780s was for
cistres with extra basses, his music can be played on a seven-course
instrument. Pollet puts an 8 (octave) on bass notes that can be played
an octave lower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdZ87Eh55oc
Stuart
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