Prinsesse Alexandrine kvadrille

Country: Denmark
Formation: 4 couple square set. Head couples (couples 1 and 2) respectively have their backs to or face the music. Couple 3 stands on the side to the right of couple 1, and couple 4 faces couple 3.
Steps: balancé, chassé, chassé-croisé, croisé, polonaisetrin (3 steps per bar LRL RLR), sidestep, walk. All steps begin with RIGHT foot, unless otherwise noted.

Courtesy:

Music: music composed by Ludvig Theodor Smith (1850-1924), pseud. Louis Forgeron. Choreography by George Berthelsen (1867-1954). (CD) Skov. Ole Baldanse I 2000 (CDOS1) tracks 7-11.

   
Introduction

1-16   Invite a partner to dance. Couples walk around the room, finishing in 4-couple quadrilles in time for sequence 1 to begin.
   
Sequence 1

1-4 1 (a) All stand in place.
5-8   Courtesy to partner.
9-12 1 (b) Couples 1 and 2 advance and retire, with one chassé and two walking steps.
9-12   Couples 1 and 2 take side-cross hold, cross to opposite position passing on the right (pass L shoulders), turn CCW as a couple, and finish facing partner, with ML/WR side to the centre of the set, dropping hand hold. 8 walking steps.
13-16 1 (c) Couples 1 and 2 dance 1 chassé-croisé to the right (13-14), and repeat to the left (15-16).
17-20   Couples 1 and 2 take 2-hand hold, and dance once round CW on the spot, finishing holding inside hands (MR/WL) and facing into the set. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
21-24 1 (d) Little boxes: Couples 1 and 2 advance, beginning with outside foot (ML/WR) with 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (21-22).
Couples change place with partner, W dancing sideways to L in front of partner, M dancing sideways to R behind partner. 1 chassé, 1 walking step, and touch outside to inside foot. (23-24)
25-28   Couples 1 and 2 retire, beginning with outside foot, 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (25-26).
Couples change place with partner, W dancing sideways to R in front of partner, M dancing sideways to L behind partner, to return to place. 1 chassé, 1 walk, and close (27-28)
21-24   W1 and W2 begin with R foot, advance, giving L-hands, and dance 1/2 round CCW. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (21-22).
W1 and W2 drop hand hold, and retire to original place. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (23-24).
25-28   M1 and M2 begin with L foot, advance giving R-hands, and dance 1/2 round CW. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (25-26).
M1 and M2 drop hand hold, and retire to original place. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (27-28).
1-8 1 (e) All turn to corner, and dance 1 chassé-croisé to the R, and repeat to the L (1-4)
Take R hand in R with corner, and dance once round CW back to place. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps (5-8).
9-24   Couples 3 and 4 dance parts 1 (b), 1 (c), and 1 (d).
1-8   Sequence 1 finishes with all dancing part 1 (e).
   
Sequence 2

1-8 2 (a) All stand in place.
9-12 2 (b) Couples 1 and 2 form closed circle, and circle 1/2 way round CW, finishing in the opposite place. 3 chassé steps and 2 walking steps.
13-16   Couples 1 and 2 dance half-chain back to place, beginning with L foot. 3 chassé steps and 2 walking steps.
17-20 2 (c) All couples hold inside hands. All 4 W begin with R foot, dance 1/2 turn CCW in front of and finish facing partner. 2 chassé steps (17-18).
All drop hand hold, and dance 1 balancé to the R and 1 balancé to the L (19-20).
21-24   Lasso: All take L-hands with partner. W dances CCW around partner, maintaining handhold, and back to place, while M dances on the spot without turning, but passing his L arm over his head to lead his partner. 3 chassé steps and 2 walking steps.
25-28 2 (d) Gypsy: Couples 1 and 2 circle: couples 1 and 2 advance, couple 1 passes between couple 2, circles around couple 2 (M CCW and W CW) all the while facing opposite dancer. 3 chassé steps, beginning with R foot (25-27).
M retires back to place, while W dances forwards out to place, finishing with her back to the centre of the set. 2 walking steps (28).
29-32   Couples 3 and 4 circle: couples 3 and 4 repeat 2 (d), couple 3 passing between couple 4.
All form closed circle, all W facing out of set and all M facing into set.
1-4 2 (e) All dance 1 balancé to the R and 1 to the L (1-2).
Drop handhold with corner, keeping R-hand hold with partner. All dance once around CW, with 2 chassé steps (3-4).
5-8   All drop hand-hold with partner, take L-hands with corner. All dance once around CCW, finishing in place. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
9-32   Repeat parts 2 (b), 2 (c), and 2 (d). Couples 3 and 4 dance part 2 (b). In part 2 (d), couples 3 and 4 dance first, followed by couples 1 and 2.
1-8   Sequence 2 finishes with all dancing part 2 (e).
   
Sequence 3

1-4 3 (a) All stand in place.
5-8   All form closed circle.
9-12 3 (b) All dance forward one step, with MR/WL foot (9), touch free foot to it (&), then one step back with ML/WR foot (10), and touch free foot (&).
Drop handholds, and dance sideways past partner, beginning with MR/WL foot, W passing in front and M behind but both facing centre of the set, and finishing in partner's place (11-12). 6 walking steps.
13-16   All form closed circle again. All dance forward one step, with ML/WR foot (13), touch free foot to it (&), then one step back with MR/WL foot (14), and touch free foot (&).
Drop handholds, and dance sideways past partner, beginning with ML/WR foot, W passing in front and M behind but both facing centre of the set, and finishing in place facing corner (11-12). 6 walking steps.
17-20 3 (c) All take L-hand hold with corner. Dance 1 sidestep to R (17). Drop L-hand hold and take R-hand hold with corner. Dance 1 sidestep to L (18).
Keep R-hand hold with corner, and dance 1/2 turn CW, beginning with R foot, and finishing in corner's place. 6 walking steps.
21-24   All take L-hand hold with corner. Dance 1 sidestep to R (21). Drop L-hand hold and take R-hand hold with corner. Dance 1 sidestep to L (22).
Beginning with R foot, pass corner on the L (passing R shoulders), while keeping R-hand hold, to return to own place facing partner. 6 walking steps.
1-4 3 (d) All dance one step forward towards partner, with R foot (1), touch L foot to it (&), then one step back with L foot (2), and touch R foot to it (&).
All take one step to R, and courtesy to partner (3-4).
5-8   All take R-hand hold with partner. Dance one full turn CW, beginning with L foot and finishing in place. 4 'polonaisetrin'.
9-24   Repeat 3 (b) and 3 (c).
1-8   Repeat 3 (d).
   
Finale

1-4 F (a) All stand in place.
5-8   All courtesy to partner, then face centre of the set, and take 2-hand hold with corner.
9-12 F (b) M1+W4 and M2+W3 dance diagonally across to opposite place. M1+W4 pass between M2 and W3, who open. At opposite place, each turns 1 full turn solo, M turning CW, W turning CCW. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
13-16   M1+W4 and M2+W3 repeat F (b) to return to place. M2+W3 passing between M1 and W4. In original place, M turn CCW and W turn CW solo to finish in place. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
9-12   M3+W1 and M4+W2 dance diagonally across to opposite place. M3+W1 pass between M4 and W2, who open. At opposite place, each turns 1 full turn solo, M turning CW, W turning CCW. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
13-16   M3+W1 and M4+W2 repeat F (b) to return to place. M4+W2 passing between M3 and W1. In original place, M turn CCW and W turn CW solo to finish in place. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
17-20 F (c) All M dance forward past partner to next W to his R, beginning with R foot, and finishing facing that W. 2 chassé steps (17-18).
All dance 1 balancé to the R, and 1 to the L (19-20).
21-24   All take R-hand hold, and dance one full turn CW. W finishes in own place, with new M on her L. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
17-20   All M dance to L, beginning with R foot, with back to centre of the set. 2 chassé steps (17-18).
Facing partner, all dance 1 balancé to the R, and 1 to the L (19-20).
21-24   All take R-hand hold with partner, and dance one full turn CW. All finish in place, with side-cross hold, and couple 1 facing couple 3, couple 2 facing couple 4. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
25-28 F (d) Couples pass facing couple, passing on the R to opposite couple's place, and turn as a couple CCW (M backward, W forwards). Beginning with R foot, 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (25-26), 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (27-28).
29-32   All dance half-chain back to place. Finish with couple 1 facing couple 4, couple 2 facing couple 3. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
25-32   Repeat F (d). Couple 1 dances with couple 4, couple 2 with couple 3.
33-36 F (e) Beginning with R foot, all W dance forward and form closed circle. 2 chassé steps (33-34).
All W dance 1 balancé to the R, and 1 to the L (35-36). Meanwhile, M wait in place.
37-40   Still in closed circle, all W circle half-way CCW, drop handhold, and finish in opposite W's place, facing into circle. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (37-38), 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (39-40) .
33-36   W1 and W2 R-hand chain back to partner. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (33-34).
Take L-hand hold with partner, M puts R hand around W's waist and turns once round CCW to place (courtesy turn). 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (35-36).
37-40   W3 and W4 R-hand chain back to place, ending in courtesy turn, as above. 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (37-38), 1 chassé and 2 walking steps (39-40).
All W drop hand-hold with partner, and finish in R-hand star with thumb hold. All M turn CW to face in LOD, with L side to partner.
41-44 F (f) Beginning with R foot, all dance forward to opposite place, W's star moving CW, while M dance CCW. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
45-48   W drop R-hand star hold, give L hand to partner for a courtesy turn. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps (39-40) .
41-44   All W take R-hand star hold again, and all M face LOD again. All dance forward to original place, W's star moving CW, while M dance CCW. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps.
45-48   W drop R-hand star hold, give L hand to partner for a courtesy turn. 3 chassés and 2 walking steps (39-40).
All finish in 4-couple square set formation.
   
Finish

49-53   All courtesy to partner. M conduct partner out to her seat.


Brief
Bars Sequence Description Steps
Introduction
1-16   Promenade into square set formation walk
Sequence 1
1-8 1 (a) All stand (1-4), courtesy to partner (5-8)  
9-12 1 (b) Active (head) cpls advance & retire 2x(1 chassé & 2 walks)
9-12   Active cpls change places, passing on R 8 walks
13-16 1 (c) Active cpls figuré R and L to partner 2 chassé-croisés
17-20   Active cpls 2-hand hold, once round CW 3 chassés & 2 walks
21-28 1 (d) Little boxes: Active cpls advance (WR/ML), change w partner, retire, change back 1 chassé, walk, walk, 1 chassé, walk, touch,
1 chassé, walk, walk, 1 chassé, walk, close
21-24   W1 & W2 advance, begin R foot, L-hand turn CCW, retire to original place 2x(1 chassé & 2 walks)
25-28   M1 & M2 advance, begin L foot, R-hand turn CW, retire to original place 2x(1 chassé & 2 walks)
1-8 1 (e) All figuré R and L to corner 2 chassé-croisés
25-28   All R-hand to corner, once round CW to place 3 chassés & 2 walks
9-24   Side cpls repeat 1 (b) thru 1 (d)  
1-8   All cpls repeat 1 (e)  
Sequence 2
1-8 2 (a) All stand  
9-16 2 (b) Active (head) cpls circle half way CW, begin L foot, half-chain back 2x(3 chassés & 2 walks)
17-20 2 (c) All W into centre facing partner, figuré R & L to partner 2 chassés, 2 balancés
21-24   'Lasso': All W CCW around partner, L-hand hold 3 chassés & 2 walks
25-28 2 (d) 'Gypsy': Head cpls pass through and back home 3 chassés & 2 walks
29-32   'Gypsy': Side cpls pass through and back home 3 chassés & 2 walks
1-4 2 (e) All figuré R & L, turn R-hand CW with partner 2 balancés, 2 chassés
5-8   L-hand round CCW with corner 3 chassés & 2 walks
9-32   Repeat 2 (b) thru 2 (d) with side cpls active  
1-8   Repeat 2 (e)  
Sequence 3
1-8 3 (a) All stand (1-4), form closed circle (5-8)  
9-16 3 (b) All forward, back, change with partner, repeat 2x(step forward, touch, step back, touch, 6 walks)
17-24 3 (c) All figuré R & L to corner, 1/2 turn CW. Repeat 2x(sidestep R, sidestep L, 6 walks)
1-4 3 (d) All figuré to partner, R forward, L back, step to R & courtesy step forward, touch, step back, touch, sidestep R
5-8   All with R-hand to partner, once round CW 4 polonaisetrin (12 walks)
9-24   Repeat 3 (b) and 3 (c)  
1-8   Repeat 3 (d)  
Finale
1-8 F (a) All stand (1-4), courtesy to partner (5-8), take 2-hand hold w corner  
9-16 F (b) M1+W4 and M2+W3 diagonal cross and turn away. Repeat to place 2x(3 chassés & 2 walks)
9-16   M3+W1 and M4+W2 diagonal cross and turn away. Repeat to place 2x(3 chassés & 2 walks)
17-24 F (c) All M to next W on R, figuré R & L, R-hand turn once CW 2 chassés, 2 balancés, 3 chassés & 2 walks
17-24   All M to centre facing partner, figuré R & L, R-hand turn once CW
Side-cross w partner, head cpls turn to R to face corner cpl which has turned L
2 chassés, 2 balancés, 3 chassés & 2 walks
25-32 F (d) All change places with facing cpl passing on R, turn CCW, half-chain back
Finish w head cpls turned to L to face other corner cpl, which has turned to R
2x(1 chassés & 2 walks), 3 chassés & 2 walks
25-32   All change places with facing cpl passing on R, turn CCW, half-chain back 2x(1 chassés & 2 walks), 3 chassés & 2 walks
33-40 F (e) All W form closed circle, figuré R & L, circle CCW, finish in opposite place 2 chassés, 2 balancés, 2x(1 chassé & 2 walks)
33-40   Head W R-hand chain to partner, courtesy turn. Side W repeat
Finish with all W in R-hand star, all M facing CCW in outside circle
4x(1 chassé & 2 walks)
|:41-48:| F (f) W dance 1/2 round CW, M chase CCW to opposite place, courtesy turn. Repeat to place 4x(3 chassé & 2 walks)
Finish
49-53   All curtsey/bow to partner. M conduct partner to her seat  

See also

Source: Thomsen, Annette & Ole Skov/ Prinsesse Alexandrine kvadrille: kontradans i 3 ture og finale. 2. opl. Brøndby: O. Skov, 2003.
Translated and posted with permission from Ole Skov, 2017-05-05.
Translation: Laine Ruus, Oakville, 2017-04-29, rev. 2017-10-20.


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