Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

La Russe

polka

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on September 25th 2008 by ceolachan.

This tune has been added to 7 tunebooks.

Also known as La Rousse, La Rousse Quadrille, La Russe Quadrille, The La Russe Quadrille .

Recordings of a tune by this name:

Folk Music From Romandie by Montferrine
Kickin' Up The Sawdust by Various Artists
Northumberland Rant by Various Artists

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

X: 1
T: La Russe
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
G |: GB/B/ Bd/d/ | dg gf/g/ | ag ec | ed d/c/B/A/ |
GB/B/ Bd/d/ | dg gf/g/ | ed dF |[1 AG G2 :|[2 AG G>B ||
K: Dmaj
|: Ad d/d/c/B/ | Aa a/a/f/f/ | gf g/g/e/e/ | f/f/e/c/ d/d/c/B/ |
Ad dc/B/ | Aa af | gf ge |[1 d2 dc/B/ :|[2 d2 F2 |]

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

Details ABC Sheetmusic Comments

"La Russe" ~ tune & dance

I've stumbled across this one in several places, geographically and put to various dance purposes... It is sometimes also notated as 4/4. This notation is taken from recordings of melodeon player Bob Cann. Hopefully other transcriptions, for comparison, will collect here and I will try to remember to return with at least one other offering some other possibilities...

# Posted on September 25th 2008 by ceolachan

I was sure I had at least one recording of it somewhere on file as played in Ireland, having come across it in the North/Ulster, and elsewhere around that isle. I'll keep looking...

# Posted on September 25th 2008 by ceolachan

It was also played in Cymru / Wales...

# Posted on September 25th 2008 by ceolachan

Harry Bradley and Teada recorded a similar tune. I'm not sure whether they play it as a polka or a march.

# Posted on September 25th 2008 by slainte

[1 ~ apologies, a lost ending, now corrected on the ABCs

Slainte ~ Harry eh, I'd love to see a transcription of that, and from Teada. Which albums?

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

"La Russe"

This melody/dance did the rounds. I'd also be interested in what alternate names Harry and Teada had for this, as well as their take and style on it...

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

I've got a good name for it. It's spelled "D-A-G".

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by Dow

This daggy tune is often used in Dashing White sets.

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

Rooskies, Wodkah & Samovars

Right you are Donald, nor does it end there...

I see the DAG King has made comment too... 8-)

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

As always, it's never the fault of the tune, it's who's drivin' it...

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

I actually quite like this tune. It's probably the key change, especially going back to G for the A part.

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

Though I wouldn't play it as presented here - it's got too many sixteenth notes which tends to mask the inherent melodic rhythm.

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

DAG is in the eye of the beholder...

It's a transcription of someone else's playing of it. I was hoping others would offer their take on it here in the comments, and I've other transcriptions I may also add...

What would the world be without DAG tunes to balance things out, eh?

Come on Donald, give us a transcription, and Slainte. I'll match you with another if you do... ;-)

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

The transcription above was minimal, just some of the melodic treatment, just notes and minus any other twiddles and points of well chosen short silences...

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

A-part ~ 4/4 ~ & 2/4 a little bit simplified (no endings)

That said, the version of the A-part given is pretty typical, including those sixteenth notes. As said, some transcribe this as 4/4, which would make those 1/8 notes...

X: 1
T: La Russe
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
G2 |:
G2 BB B2 dd | d2 g2 g2 fg | a2 g2 e2 c2 | e2 d2 dcBA |
G2 BB B2 dd | d2 g2 g2 fg | e2 d2 d2 F2 |[1 A2 G2 G4 :|[2 A2 G2 G3 B ||
K: Dmaj
|: A2 d2 ddcB | A2 a2 aaff | g2 f2 ggee | ffec ddcB |
A2 d2 d2 cB | A2 a2 a2 f2 | g2 f2 g2 e2 |[1 d4 d2 cB :|[2 d4 F4 |]

& slightly simplified ~

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Sorry, c, was away doing the housework!
I would normally expect to hear something like:

X: 3
T: La Russe
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
K: G
G/G/| GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ag ec | ed d/c/B/A/ |
GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ed dF |[1 AG GG/G/ :|[2 AG GA |
|: Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ fe|e | f/g/a/g/ f/e |
Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ fe |[1 d2 dA:|[2 d2 d/c/B/A ||

wich is just like X: 2 above.

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

Sorry. Complete mess. Should have read:

X: 3
T: La Russe
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
K: G
G/G/ |: GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ag ec | ed d/c/B/A/ |
GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ed dF |[1 AG GG/G/ :|[2 AG GA |
|: Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ ge | f/g/a/g/ fA |
Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ "g|[1 d2 dA :|[2 d3/2e/ d/c/B/A/ ||

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

or even:
X: 34
T: La Russe
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
Q: 1/4=120
K: G
G/G/ |: GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ag ec | ed d/c/B/A/ |
GB Bd | dg gf/g/ | ed dF |[1 AG GG/G/ :|[2 AG GA |
|: Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ ge | f/g/a/g/ fA |
Ad dB | Aa af | g3/2f/ ge |[1 d2 dA :|[2 d3/2e/ d/c/B/A/ ||

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by DonaldK

La Russe

I've seen it called the La Russe Quadrille but I can't see any connection with anything Russian. When we serve food already on plates rather than buffet fashion it is called a la Russe. Thought I'd throw that in!

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by hotspur

"La Russe" ~ thanks Donald, here's another take on yours

But I like your second ending for the B-part, leading back to the A-part ~
[2 d>e d/c/B/A/ ||: GB Bd | ~

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Yes hotspur, so have I, and even just called 'Quadrille'...

# Posted on September 26th 2008 by ceolachan

Kate Hughes' "Dancing Book" ~ Dundalk, 1867

http://chrisbrady.itgo.com/dance/dundalk/dundalk.htm

La Russe (the above)
1.) All the gents set and turn the ladie on the right (8)
2.) Set and turn the ladie on the left (8)
3.) Set and turn partners (8)
4.) Top couple Lead in (8)
5.) Top Couple Poussette in (8)
6.) Top and Bottom change Change Places, Bottom open up (8)
7.) Back to Places, Top open up (8)
8.) repeat 6 and 7 (16)
9.) Eight hands half round and turn Partners (8)
10.) Poussette to Places (8)

# Posted on September 28th 2008 by ceolachan

"Kickin' Up The Sawdust" ~ the dance description given in the notes:

1.) La Russe (La Russe / Cadum Woods / Bluebell Polka)

Form: Square sets of four couples. Couples numbered round anti-clockwise, first couple with backs to (music) record player! Woman on man's right.

A1 (Bars 1 - 8) Men move behind partners to women on right, who move to meet them.
A 11 balance and swing.
A2 (9 - 16) Men return to partners, balance and swing.

B1 (1 - 8) First couple swings.
B2 (9 - 16) First couple promenades insidethe set back to place.
A3 (1 - 8) First couple cross over with opposite couple (passing in between). Partners change places. Cross back in same way (opposite couple passing in between).
A4 (9 - 16) Repeat cross-over figure.
B3 (1 - 8) All join hands and circle left.
B4 (9-16) Promenade partners to places anti-clockwise.

Movements are then repeated, each couple in turn leading.

# Posted on September 28th 2008 by ceolachan

"La Russe" ~ Kate Hughes' "Dancing Book" ~ Dundalk, 1867

~ I missed the conclusion to this dance description ~

"(?unclear?) ~ by the other couples"

(This would be saying that each couple then perform the dance in their turn.)

"Finish with all Promenade..."

# Posted on September 28th 2008 by ceolachan

"La Russe" ~ 'The High Level Ranters'

The following transcription is to show some of what these lads do with it. I've also transcribed it in 4/4 in order to avoid ~ | GB/4B/4B/ Bd/4d/4d/ | ~ which in 4/4 reads as ~ | G2 B/B/B B2 d/d/d | ~

X: 5
T: La Russe
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: polka
K: Gmaj
D2 |:\
G2 BB B2 dd | d2 g2 g2 fg | a2 g2 e2 c2 | e2 d2 dcBA |
G2 B/B/B B2 d/d/d | d2 g2 g2 fg | e2 d2 d2 FB |[1 A2 G2 G2 D/E/F :|[2 A2 G2 G3 ||
K: Dmaj
|: B |\
A2 d2 d3 B | A2 a2 a3 f | g2 f2 g2 e2 | fgag f2 d2 |
A2 d/d/d d2 cB | A2 aa a2 f2 | g2 f2 g2 e2 |[1 d4 d3 B :|[2 d2 de dcBA |]

# Posted on September 29th 2008 by ceolachan

Arches

I have occaisionally danced to it in Dublin. I think it was Matt Cuningham playing it . . . I think the Abbey might have it in their repertoir.

Re the 'Kicking up the Sawdust' notation . . . the crossing over I have only danced it with the outside couple making an arch - show-offs in Leyland did double arches and twirls, the side couples joining in the cross-over while the active couple were twirling. You've got to be nippy

# Posted on October 1st 2008 by Alancorsini

Thanks Alan, like with subtle and not so subtle connections between tunes, I enjoy those same kind of relationships between dances of the same root(s)...

# Posted on October 2nd 2008 by ceolachan

La Russe

Have just joined the session and was intrigued to see this tune described as polka. Is this the same tune that is often played as a reel for Petronella/ Eightsome Reel etc in Scotland? The spelling is different - La Rousse.

# Posted on October 26th 2008 by Fiona Johnston

La Russe

A friend of mine asked me about this tune about a year ago. I thought it was so common, it never occurred to me to post it here. I mean, I was sure it would be here already.

# Posted on October 26th 2008 by benhall.1