The "chestnut" dances have staying power because
1) The excellent tunes associated with them.
2) People like to connect with the distant past. Relatively few new contra dances
appeared between the early 19th century (by which time all the chestnuts
existed--although they may have since been modified to please today's dancers) and the
1930's or 1940's
Without their corresponding tunes, today Chorus Jig, Petronella, Hull's Victory,
etc, would likely be danced much less often, if at all
Michael Fuerst 802 N Broadway Urbana IL 61801 217-239-5844
________________________________
From: Linda Mrosko <elmerosko(a)gmail.com>
To: Caller's discussion list <callers(a)sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 1, 2012 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] What is the best contra dance(s) ever written?
This thread reminds me of a question posed years ago - probably because of
the staying power of the chestnut dances like Chorus Jig, Rory O'More,
Petronella, etc. - WHICH CONTRA DANCES DO YOU THINK FOLKS WILL STILL BE
DANCING 100 YEARS FROM NOW?
--
*Looking forward,
Linda S. Mrosko
7302 CR 2829
Mabank, Texas 75156
(903) 451-5535 (H)
(903) 288-4401 (cell)
(903) 603-9033 (Skype)
www.towerwebsites.com/dancinglinda
*"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least
once."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche