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This class covers the piva, a dance popular in fifteenth-century Italy. By the mid-fifteenth century it was considered unrefined, and no longer really suitable for the upper classes, but, despite this, appeared to stay popular up to the early-sixteenth century. Information on the piva dance itself is somewhat scanty, especially as it seems to have mostly been improvised, so the dance as taught in the class is largely conjecture. The piva also appeared as part of balli (a choreographed dance form of the same period, about which more is known), and three balli entirely or mostly in piva time will be also taught.
Note: The sources for this period are not clear and everything taught here at least partially guesswork. Because of this, the steps and dances will probably be taught differently by any other teacher, including myself at a later date. As well, the same or similar step names were often used for steps that were performed differently in the Burgundian or sixteenth-century repertoires.
Double or Doppio (Plural is doppii)
1 = Step left, 2 = step right, 3 = step left, 4
= pause.
Piva (Plural is pive)
As used in the piva done in class, in Petit Riens, and the second
half of Belfiore.
In 6/8: 1 = Step left, (2), 3 = short step right,
4 = step left, 5-6 = pause.
As used in Amoroso and the first half of Belfiore.
In 2/4: 1 = Step left, and = short step right, 2 = step left,
and = pause.
Ripresa (Plural is riprese)
1 = Step to left side, (2), 3= step right under left foot,
4 = step to left side, 5-6 = pause.
Voltatonda
Turn in a counterclockwise circle using four steps, starting
on the left foot.
Movimento
Rise on both feet, (not a jump), directing attention at partner.
Reverenza
Kneel on left knee, keeping upper body straight.
It isn't usually necessary to go all the way to the floor.
In couples, using the piva step, move around the hall. The man leads, and also can choose to throw in extra hops and spins, leg-kicks, flourishes, and otherwise show off. He can also turn his partner around (carefully), move backwards so that she moves forward, widen and narrow their distance, and do any other figures he thinks up. During all this she should smile demurely, and help him not to land flat on his face. Should she choose to bound around with the same enthusiasm as the men are permitted, she should note that a) long clothing makes this dangerous, and b) she would, if she were actually dancing in a fifteenth-century court, earn the censure and disaproval of the other women, to say nothing of the dancing master.
For three dancers, Dancer A (on left), Dancer B and Dancer C (on right), holding hands.
16 Pive starting on the Left.
Dancer A 4 Pive, starting on the Left, Dancer B 4
Pive to catch up, Dancer C 4 Pive to catch up.
Dancer A Doppio Left, Dancer B Doppio Left to catch
up, Dancer C Doppio Left to catch up.
"The Wave" A does a Reverenza Right to B, B responds with the
same, and C also does one to B.
Each starts
as the last one is rising.
All Reverenza Left. (A & C are facing into the center)
Doppio Left, backwards, and away from each other, Doppio Right, towards
each other.
"Set & Turn" Ripresa Left, Ripresa Right, Voltatonda.
End facing forward, as they started the dance.
12 Pive, starting on Left foot.
Man Sequence A (Step Left, Step Right, Piva Left, Step Right, Step
Left, Step Right.)
Woman same to catch up.
Man Sequence B (Piva Left, Piva Right, Piva Left, Step Right.)
Woman same to catch up.
Man Sequence A and pivot. Both Reverenza Left, facing each other.
Man Sequence B rejoining Woman.
Repeat, Woman leaving and returning as Man did.
Repeat the dance, Woman doing everything first this time.
Man 1 on left, Woman in middle, Man 2 on right, all holding hands.
First half is in 4/4.
12 Pive, starting Left. (These pive are slower than usual.)
Man 1 Doppio Left, then Woman the same, to catch up, then Man 2 the
same.
Man 1 Movimento, then Woman Movimento, then Man 2 Movimento.
Man 1 Voltatonda, then Woman Voltatonda, then Man 2 Voltatonda.
Second half is in 6/8, so the pive are faster.
Man 1 Piva Left, Piva Right, Piva Left, going behind the others, and
ending to the right of Man 2. Woman
does the same, ending beside Man 1, Man 2 does the same.
Men Doppio Right, changing places, Man 2 going in front of Woman, Man
1 going behind her.
Woman does a "figure-6" = 4 Pive starting Left, going to her right,
behind Man 1, circles him
counterclockwise, then goes behind Man 2, stopping to his left.
Repeat the dance twice more, rotating roles.
Sparti, Barbara ed., De Pratica seu arte tripudii / On the Practice of the Art of Dancing, Guglielmo Ebreo of Pesaro. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Canzoni e Danze, Piffaro - The Renaissance Band. Archiv 445 883-2. Has Piva (used for class.) (The Bel fiore is not usable with the dance)
Joy and Jealousy, (computer-generated music to accompany manual of same name). 1997. Has Amoroso, Belfiore (used for class), and Petit Riens.
Light of the North, Lady Marian of Heatherdale. Heather M. Dale, privately produced. Cassette. Has Amoroso (used for class.)
Mesura et Arte del Danzare. Balli Italiani del Quattrocento. Accademia Viscontea i Musicanti. Ducale CDL 002. Has Petit Riens (used for class).
Forse Che Si, Forse Che No, Ferrara Ensemble. Fonti Musicali fmd 182. Has Petit Riens, played three times.
Music from the time of Richard III, The York Waits. Saydisc CD_SDL 364. Has a slow version of Amoroso, with 8 instead of 12 pive at the start. It is played three times.
La Musica Italiana del XV Secolo, Sine Nomine. Quadrivium SCA 040. CD. Has Amoroso, with 10 instead of 12 pive at the start. It is played three times, with the last section only played once each time.
Return of the Pipers, The Philadelphia Renaissance Wind Band. Has a slow version of Amoroso, with 8 instead of 12 pive at the start. It is played four times, with the last section only played once each time, and has an extra ten bars at the end.
(Eloge du vin et de la vigne has Amoroso, but it is not usable.)
For any further information, please feel free to contact me at:
Vivian Stephens (416) 537-8630
44 Dewson #3 email: rosina@pathcom.com
Toronto, ON M6H 1G7
Canada