Pavane and Galliard (2024)

Karen Beaumont (b. 1965) — Pavane and Galliard (2024) for organ

0:00 | Pavane
2:25 | Galliard

The pavane and galliard are Renaissance dances that were popular throughout all of Europe during the 16th century. The pavane is a dance of slow, processional-like character. The galliard is vigorous and fast. These two dances became a common pairing: the slow pavane serving as a kind of prelude to the fast galliard; or from the alternate view, the galliard being a release of energy in response to the pavane. Like many historical dances, the musical forms stayed in use even after the popularity of the actual dancing had ended. The diptych pairing of pavane and galliard also served as a simpler proto-form for the later multi-movement dance suites that found sophisticated musical flowering in the Baroque era. The keyboard pavane and galliard pairs in late 16th century and early 17th century collections—such as William Byrd’s “My Ladye Nevells Booke” and the “Fitzwilliam Virginal Book”—have remained in the repertoire to the present. As with many historical musical forms with roots in dance, composers have continued to be inspired by these to produce new pieces looking at these old forms with their own perspective.

American organist and composer Karen Beaumont (b. 1965) received her degree in Music History from the University of Wisconsin and studied organ with Gerre Hancock, John Behnke, Jeffrey Peterson, and Carol Haakenson. Beaumont has performed as a recitalist in numerous venues throughout the USA and the UK. From 1988 to 2011 she provided the organ and choral music for St. James Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her album of classic French noëls was released on the Pro Organo label in 2020. Her musical compositions have been published by Lorenz, Leupold Editions, Fagus-Music, and SMP Press.

Published by SMP Press

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