La Matelote holandaise et la Pantouf - Landrin, Pierre-André 1727-1793 (Paris Landrin Castagnery, 1773)
Dance notation (description, choreographic diagrams and music) for a little suite of 2 contredanses françaises
Assembly of two dances for the execution of which the eight participants are arranged in two front lines (longways); the structure is that of the cotillon, i.e. an alternation of verses with a refrain. In this arrangement, the existence of two alternating refrains helps to break the monotony of constant repetition of the same refrain. It is in fact a medley (pot-pourri) of two dances and at the same time a new variety of contredanses which will soon be quite successful
published as a so-called 'Feuille volante" for the low price of 4 pennies (sous), favouring the escalating demand for new choreographies and the increasing accessibility of the repertoire in schools and dance venues
Also edited in "Pot-pourri françois de contre-danses anciennes tel qu'il se danse chez la Reine, arrangé et mis à jour par M. Landrin, Paris, Landrin, Lahante, Castagnery, s.d.
Pierre-André Landrin was a music merchant and dance master, as well as "engraver and composer of contredanses". Attested in Paris as a music merchant from 1767 to about 1782. In Nov. 1771, he married Jeanne-Françoise Duport, daughter of a dance master, as his second wife. A "Landrin" composer or master of music (string and bridge instruments) "for the balls of the Court, rue des Boucheries Saint-Germain", is mentioned in the "Tablettes de renommée des musiciens" published by Mathurin Roze de Chantoiseau in 1785; perhaps it is him. Died in Feb. 1793, rue des Boucheries, parish of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, aged about 66, according to the death tables of the Registration Office. Landrin joined forces with the dance master Jacques La Hante for the sale and distribution of "contredanses of their common composition", by virtue of a privilege granted on 25 July 1768 to Pierre-André Landrin. The company was dissolved in July 1774 and P.-A. Landrin became the sole owner of the "plates and engraved books" of contredanses. The names of [Jacques] La Hante and Mademoiselle Castagnery often appear, in addition to his own, on the publications he distributes
Pensil annotation "1773" - probably by the seller - on front matter, suggesting the date of publication
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Ballet; Dance notation; Contredanse; Cottillon; Paris (France)