Ulsamer Collegium
Biography
Well known for their rendition of basse danse, which are Monophonic songs based on a tenor cantus firmus; the length of the choreography was often derived from popular chansons. In performance, 3 or 4 instrumentalists would improvise the polyphony based on this tenor. In others, multiple parts were written, though in the style of the day choices regarding instrumentation were left to the performers. Most famous, perhaps, are the Basse Danses assembled in 1530 by Pierre Attaingnant that remain today in "The Attaingnant Dance Prints"
