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Maria and Mark |
Viennese Waltz and Waltz The word “waltz” originated from the old German word “walzen” to roll, turn, or to glide. During the early seventeenth century “turning dances” were danced by peasants in the suburbs of Vienna and in the alpine region of Austria. The waltz made its way to France were it was originally danced as one of the figures in the contredanse, with arms intertwining at shoulder level, but it soon became an independent dance. The Viennese Waltz was the first dance done were the man and woman face each other, with the man holding the woman’s right hand in his left, and with his right arm around her. Couple dancing before the Viennese Waltz was formal, with couples performing choreographed steps, and generally with no more physical contact than holding hands. The “close-hold” of the waltz was first considered vulgar and indecent but by the 1830s, Viennese Waltz was a craze with high society across Europe. The Waltz and the Viennese (Quick) Waltz are ballroom dances in 3/4 time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close. The Waltz is slower tempo than the Viennese with longer gliding steps. |
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