Contredanses of Robert Daubat

Based on the English “country dance”, the French contredanse found its way to the the court of Louis XIV during the 1680s. By the beginning of the 18th century, it was popular throughout Europe at all levels of society.

In 1757 Robert Daubat - who styled himself D’Aubat Saint-Flour - published the first edition of Cent contredanses en rond, in Ghent, Belgium, where he had moved with his new bride. The music is a blend of traditional and late baroque.  The arrangements performed here build on Daubat’s simple, elegant settings to create a dance-oriented chamber music that unites the intricacies and gracefulness of the Galant style with the excitement and verve of traditional dance music.

Góntia is the Celtic moon and river goddess from whom the city of Ghent gets its name.