Arbeau, Thoinot (real name, Jean Ta-bourot)

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Arbeau, Thoinot (real name, Jean Ta-bourot)

Arbeau, Thoinot (real name, Jean Ta-bourot), French ecclesiastic and writer; b. Dijon, March 17, 1520; d. Langres, July 23, 1595. He was educated in Dijon and Poitiers. He served in ecclesiastical positions in Langres, where he later became vicargeneral. Arbeau publ. the invaluable treatise Orchésographie, et traité en forme de dialogue par lequel toutes personnes peuvent facilement apprendre et practiquer l’honnête exercice des danses (Langres, 1588; 2nd ed., 1589; Eng. tr., 1948), which treats of social dances of his day with a new tablature to correlate steps and music. It also includes many dance tunes. Its historical value is further enhanced by the information it gives on how dance music of the 16th century was performed.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire