Copenhagen Strathspey

BGCharlton

Message 21548 · 21 Jun 2000 03:39:26 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

G'Day,

Se=F3naid asks if anyone has the instructions for the Copenhagen Strathsp=
ey.

It is quite popular in Sydney, but I have never seen the original
instructions. However, my notes are as follows:

1-8 Reels of four on the side
9-16 1st couple with 2nd couple, 3rd couple with 4th couple dance righ=
t
hands across, left hands across.
17-24 1st couple set, cast off, 1st and 3rd couples dance 4 hands round=

to the left.
25-32 1st couple set, lead up to 1st place, cast off to 4th place - 3rd=
&
4th couples step up on bars 31-32.
33-40 2nd couple with 3rd couple, 4th couple with 1st couple dance righ=
ts
and lefts.

I usually use the recording of "Letham Ladies" by Rob Gordon (TAC 102),
which is 4x40, for this dance.

It used to be danced at a Club which had an accordion player who added 8
bars at the end for another reel of 4. I don't know if this is in the
original instructions, maybe it arose from a 'mistake' which everyone
liked!

I am not fully familiar with the story, but the dance has connections wit=
h
Sydney Branch because the Danish Consul and his wife started SCD with the=

Sydney Scottish Country Dance Circle and started(?) SCD in Copenhagen whe=
n
they returned home. The Scottish Country Dance Circle was the foundation
for the Sydney Branch, so that must have been before 1952. Capt. Bain, th=
e
writer of the dance, was, I believe, a member of the Edinburgh
Demonstration Team. Does anybody know any more?

Brian Charlton
Sydney, Australia