Lorraine Alman (Almande Lorayne)

Sympkyn of the Moor

Date:
Early 17th century (first published c. 1612)

Description:
The Lorraine Alman is an instrumental dance piece from the Liber Primus Leviorum Carminum, a collection of lighter, dance-related works from the early 17th century. The Alman is typically performed in a moderate duple time and is characterised by its lively, yet stately rhythm, suitable for courtly dance settings. The piece reflects the fusion of English and continental dance styles of the period, blending the German-originated Alman form with regional influences like those from Lorraine.

Discussion:
The Lorraine Alman in the Liber Primus Leviorum Carminum follows the typical structure of a Renaissance dance, with a clear and simple melodic line, designed for ensemble performance. The piece is commonly written for keyboard, lutes, viols, or recorder consort, and features a binary structure (AABB). Its popularity in courtly and festive settings highlights the role of dance music in Renaissance social life, where instrumental music frequently accompanied formal dance events.

Composer:
Attributed to Anonymous (from the collection Liber Primus Leviorum Carminum)

Arranged by:
Arranged for various Renaissance instrumental ensembles, including lute consort, recorder group, and keyboard

Sheet Music:
Available in early music collections, particularly in the Liber Primus Leviorum Carminum (or transcriptions thereof). It is also included in modern editions of Renaissance dance music.
The arrangement we use is available here as a  pdf or musescore file.

Parts:
Typically performed in a 4- or 5-part arrangement (SATB + bass or SATTB)

Type:
Renaissance instrumental dance (Alman / Almain)

Language:
Instrumental (no text)

Ranges:
Moderate ranges suitable for various instruments (viol, recorder, lute)

Advice for beginners:
Pay attention to the rhythmic flow and clarity of phrasing in each section. While the melody is relatively simple, the key is in the ensemble coordination, particularly in keeping the rhythm steady while articulating the end of each phrase. Beginners should focus on playing cleanly with a steady tempo and listening for the ensemble balance.

Sound Files:
Here are some sound files for reference. All parts, top line, second line, third line, forth line