Description
Écossaise (in French: Scotsman) is a type of contra dance in a Scottish style that was popular in France and Great Britain at the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th. The écossaise was usually danced in 2/4 time.
The musical form was also adopted by some classical composers including Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven and Frédéric Chopin who wrote a number of écossaises for the piano, which are recognized for their lively rhythm.
This music usually has significant dynamic contrast — it will use fortissimos and pianissimos very close together. It has a unique dynamic energy to it. They sometimes have a central tune which some of the strains are based on.
