A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Canarie
CANARIE. A now antiquated dance, deriving its name from the Canary Islands, whence it is said to have been introduced, in which the two partners danced alternately before each other with the gestures of savages (Littré). It was greatly in vogue at the time of Louis XIV. According to some authorities, however, it is of Spanish origin. It is a species of gigue, usually in 3-8 or 6-8 time, the distinctive peculiarity of which is that the first note of the bar is almost always dotted. In this respect it resembles the Loure, but differs from it in its tempo, the Canarie being moderately quick and the Loure somewhat slow. It always commences on the first beat of the bar, and consists of two short periods, each repeated. The following example, dating from the 17th century, is quoted from F. L. Schubert's 'Die Tanzmusik':—
[ E. P. ]