Waltz

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For other uses, see Waltz (disambiguation).

A waltz (German: Walzer, Italian: Valzer, French: Valse, Catalan: Vals) is a ballroom and folk dance in 3/4 (help·info) time, done primarily in closed position. The most common basic figure of a waltz is a full turn in two measures using three steps per measure.

The waltz first became fashionable in Vienna around the 1780s, spreading to many other countries in the years to follow. The waltz, and especially its closed position, became the example for the creation of many other ballroom dances. Subsequently, new types of waltz have developed, including many folk and several ballroom dances.

In the 19th century the word primarily indicated that the dance was a turning one; one would "waltz" in the polka to indicate rotating rather than going straight forward without turning.

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[edit] Various styles of waltz

In the 19th and early 20th century, numerous different forms of waltz existed, including versions done in 2/4 or 6/8 (sauteuse), and 5/4 time (5/4 waltz, half and half).

In the 1910s a form called the "Hesitation Waltz" incorporated Hesitations and was danced to fast music. A Hesitation is basically a halt on the standing foot during the full waltz measure, with the moving foot suspended in the air or slowly dragged. Similar figures (Hesitation Change, Drag Hesitation, Cross Hesitation) is incorporated in the International Standard Waltz syllabus.

  • The American Style Waltz, in contrast to the International Standard Waltz, involves breaking contact almost entirely in some figures. For example, the Syncopated Side-by-Side with Spin includes a free spin for both partners. Open rolls are another good example of an open dance figure, in which the secondary partner alternates between the primary partner's left and right sides, with the primary partner's left or right arm (alone) providing the lead.
  • The Cross Step Waltz is a newer style of waltz where the first step is a cross-step into the line of directon. This was popularized in classes at Stanford University and allows for a much richer assortment of variations.
  • The Mexican Waltz (vals mexicano) follows the same basic rhythmic pattern as the standard waltz, but the melodies reflect a strong Spanish influence.
  • Tango vals allows the dancers to dance one, two, three, or no steps to any four beats of waltz music; and to vary the number of steps per bar throughout the song.
  • Country Western Waltz is 99% progressive, moving counter clock wise around the dance floor. Both the posture and frame are relaxed, with posture bordering on a slouch. The exaggerated hand and arm gestures of some ballroom styles are not part of this style. Couples may frequently dance in the promenade position, depending on local preferences.

Waltzes were the staple of many American musicals and films, including "Waltz in Swing Time" sung by Fred Astaire.

  • The waltz is a smooth and graceful dance.It is used in folk music and classic.

[edit] The waltz in Classical music

Classical composers traditionally supplied music for dancing when required, and Schubert's waltzes were written for household dancing, without any pretense at being art music. However, Chopin's 18 waltzes, along with his mazurkas and polonaises, were clearly not intended to be danced. They marked the adoption of the waltz and other dance forms as serious composition genres.

Other notable contributions to the waltz genre in classical music include 16 by Brahms (originally for piano duet), and Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales for piano and La Valse for orchestra.

[edit] See also

[edit] The Waltz in Literature

  • Raman Mundair, 'A Choreographer's Cartography',Peepal Tree Press, Leeds 2007 - features poems commissioned by the Austrian Cultural Institute in London in 1999 to celebrate the music of Johann Strauss and the Waltz.

[edit] External links

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