Wikipedia
Écossaise (in French: Scottish) is a type of contradanse in a Scottish style - a Scottish country dance at least in name - 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 Ecossaises 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. One by J. N. Hummel is in the second volume for piano in the Suzuki Method.
Usage examples of "ecossaise".
Natasha, who was exceptionally graceful, was first, even danced the pas de chale, but at this last ball only the ecossaise, the anglaise, and the mazurka, which was just coming into fashion, were danced.
Catherine Petrovna did actually play valses and the ecossaise, and dancing began in which Nicholas still further captivated the provincial society by his agility.
The conversation turning on Voltaire, the Ecossaise was mentioned, and the acting of my neighbour was highly commended in words that made her blush and shine in her beauty like a star, whereat her praises were renewed.
During the ecossaise, which she also danced with him, Anatole said nothing when they happened to be by themselves, but merely gazed at her.
It was not a ball, nor had dancing been announced, but everyone knew that Catherine Petrovna would play valses and the ecossaise on the clavichord and that there would be dancing, and so everyone had come as to a ball.
Catherine Petrovna would play valses and the ecossaise on the clavichord and that there would be dancing, and so everyone had come as to a ball.
He then skewed me a letter from Voltaire thanking him for playing Montrose in his Ecossaise.