The word goes back at least to the 17th century. The composer John
Jenkins (died 1678) included some pieces titled 'Rant' in his viol
consort music. The ones I know are strongly rhythmic but certainly not
tomato soup-ers. AFAIK it is not known why they were called that. He
came from south-east England and passed most of his life there, but I
suppose it's possible that he picked up the dance from some northerners.
Thomas
On 5 Apr 2009, at 13:14, Richard York wrote:
I am enjoying playing "Sir Charles Rant" - or "Sir Charle's Rant" -
in Peacock, but the title is interesting.
It obviously isn't a rant under the various definitions discussed
here recently, since it's in 6/8.
For those without Peacock who like words to rhythms, it doesn't
refer to tomato soup, gobstoppers, or anything like that, but rather
seems to say "Rant? this is no rant is no rant is no rant" etc.
So when, please, did the word come to specifically mean That Dance,
and what did it signify earlier? (Or was Sir Charles just an always
angry sort of chap?)
I know that Jigge/Gigge/Gigue/Jig etc went through a whole variety
of meanings between Elizabethan Theatre, baroque salon, and much
more, before coming to mean, well, what I'd call the tune Sir
Charles Rant.
I apologise if there's some note in the back of a book/email on this
list which explains all, and I haven't seen the obvious.
With thanks,
Richard.
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