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This charming dance tune was written by John Banister “The Younger” (1662-1736). Banister, like his father John Banister, was a violinist in the British royal band, serving several successions of monarchs. He was also a recorder player, and this particular bourrée is for two alto recorders.

A bourrée is a type of French dance tune, typically in cut-time (two beats per measure), with a pick-up quarter note (or two eighth notes) to start the tune off. Originally a folk dance, it evolved into a more formal performance dance for the upper classes.

In this piece, you may want to add baroque-style trills to the penultimate beats in both the A and the B part. Otherwise, for stylistic ideas, here’s what Johann Mattheson, a music theorist who lived around the time of Banister, wrote of the bourrée: "Its distinguishing feature resides in contentment and a pleasant demeanor, at the same time it is somewhat carefree and relaxed, a little indolent and easygoing, though not disagreeable"!

(Easy; half note=64)