Friday 24 January 2020
Tune of the Day: Chain Cotillion
Traditional dance tune
A “cotillion” (from the Old French “cottilon”, meaning “petticoat”) is a tune that was used for an early 18th-century dance of the same name – a forerunner of the quadrille. These dances, which were used to introduce young ladies into society in 18th-century France, were first introduced into London in the 1760s, then later into the USA in the 1770s.
The “Chain Cotillion” appears in several American music manuscripts of the late 18th century. In modern times, it has been popular for martial use by various Revolutionary and Civil War fife-and-drum reenactors.
Thanks to Phil for contributing this 4-part version of the tune.