The Viennese waltz is a classic dance style that appears in many romantic and animated films. It features a sweeping and nimble spinner that quickly spins around the floor. Although they share many similarities with a slow waltz. And they are danced at a much faster pace twice as fast as a slow waltz.

History of the Viennese Waltz

The Viennese Waltz is the oldest form of ballroom dancing. It appeared in the eighteenth century around the year 1750. Its beginnings date back to the twelfth century in the medieval dance known as the round. The last turn of the dancing couple on the tour was the highlight of the dance. And this full turn became a feature of the Viennese waltz. The ¾ that makes Viennese waltz music possible dates back to at least 1679 when “Das Lied vom Lieben Augustin” was written.

Viennese Waltz developed more directly from Landler. Deutscher. Dreher. And Schleifer. Bavarian and Austrian folk dances from the 18th century. When those who lived in cities adopted these dances. Their personality changed dramatically. They have changed both musically as well as in choreography. The rhythm of the dance became much faster. And graceful sliding replaced the popular jumping motion of folk dances. The dance moved from rural ballrooms to high-society ballrooms and the Viennese waltz was born. At the time, it was only known as “The Waltz”. But the late introduction of the slower Waltz waltz was the reason why the faster original was renamed and reestablished as “Viennese Waltz”.

Viennese Waltz places

A Viennese Waltz arrived in England after the War of 1812. In 1814. Viennese Waltzes are credited with helping the ambassadors of the Vienna Congress resolve the mess they left after Napoleon I retired amicably.

The Viennese Waltz has a long history in Vienna despite the fact that about 300 public dance balls are held during the first three months of each year. This city of 1.5 million hosts some balls that attract 5,000 dancers.

Before The Birth Of The Waltz In Vienna

the aristocrats cultivated slow dances in their courts with very strict and strictly restricted ceremonies that did not allow any liberties. The dance partners had to keep their distance with a light touch of their hands. The Viennese waltz asked the man to put his hands on the woman’s hips. The couples danced in very close fists and looked at each other somewhat deeply with their eyes. The Viennese waltz displayed a more liberal lifestyle compared to the strict etiquette of aristocratic dances. The Viennese waltz allowed the dancers to let go of their composure and free their emotions. At first. These liberties offered by Waltz in Vienna were considered too scandalous.

In order to gain the approval of society, the women danced around the floor with their ankles exposed and their husbands embraced very closely. Since then, the dance has been banned. Eventually. The Viennese waltz took over ballrooms and gained so much popularity that even high-end societies enthusiastically accepted the dance. The dance finally managed to slowly. But surely. gain acceptance in the courts

Style of Viennese Waltz

The Viennese Waltz style was formed in the Habsburgs. Vienna. There the movement developed and classical musicians took to the beat of the waltz. The music of composers Johann Strauss and Joseph Lanner helped popularize the faster Viennese waltz. In the 19th century. Several forms of Viennese waltz emerged including the Polish Mazurka Waltz. Hungarian Waltz. Mexican Waltz. The French Waltz. and Musette Waltz. The Viennese waltz continued to gain popularity throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. Ballroom dancing around the world is dominated by the Viennese waltz.

Viennese Waltz Dancing Today

It is still a popular social dance in ballroom dance studios today as well as a competitive dance in International Standard and American Smooth Ballroom classes.

The waltz is danced international style in a closed position and the approach is limited to some movements including natural and reverse turns. Shifts. Fleckers. Contra check. Left whisk. And pivot. Unlike its international counterpart, the American waltz is danced in an open and closed location in the Viennese style. It’s packed with fun interpretations with a more theatrical feel. Leaving a closed mode to explore alternate blockbusters. Underarm transformations. And choreography alongside.

Value of Dance

Viennese Waltz events. Balls. And competitions are held worldwide annually. Some of these events feature a purely Viennese waltz while others include other styles of ballroom dancing. In the United States. The Viennese waltz has emerged at the forefront of American pop culture with popular TV shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars”. The grace, flow, and beauty displayed by Vienna’s waltz dancers attract mass appeal to any admired onlooker. It is a popular dance in dance studios all over the world.