15th century dances
The first written dance descriptions originate from the 15th century. These descriptions are not very specifc, but they give a general aim of the movement patterns and dance figures. Probably, these were the dances of the nobility. The two main genres were basse danse/bassadanza 'low dance' and ballo 'dance'. These two differed greatly from each other. The first dance features slow graceful promenading with relatively simple steps. It was called the 'low dance' in order to distinguish it from the dances where people jumped while dancing and which were considered as undignified. Basse danses have been recorded in Italy as well as in some northern regions of Europe - such as Burgundy and France. Ballo, which has been described in Italian sources, is already much more complicated, often consisting of several parts and using different rhythms in one and the same dance. Although many ballos start with a similar promenading as the low dances, this is followed by quite complicated figures. The exact number of dancers is specified by the choreography, varying from two to six people. Sources: Les Basses Danses de Marguerite d'Autriche and works by Domenico da Piacenza and Guglielmo Ebreo (ballo).
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