What is the Waltz?

The word "Waltz" is taken from a German word "waltzen" which means "to turn or glide". It is a ballroom dance that is done in three quarter time with the strongest step on the first beat; the pattern is a basic step-step-close. The definition of waltz: to move or glide in a lively or conspicuous manner.

Where did it start and when?

This wonderful dance was started in up in the higher parts of Vienna, in the alpine region of Austria. In the early 17th century, peasants of Austria and Bavaria were dancing. Many of our waltz tunes can actually be traced to the yodeling descants of the peasants of that time. Later the waltzes began showing up in the ballrooms of the Hapsburg court in Vienna.

It was during the eighteenth century the waltz was brought to France. The Allemande for of the Waltz was very popular then. In the beginning it was acted out as one of the figures in the Contredanse, with arms interlaced at shoulder level. After that, it became a separate dance, and then finally the close-hold was pioneered. Nearly more than a full century later, the elite group has, now recognized this dance that had been an Austrian dance for the ill-bread people, and that three quarter rhythm was here for good.

The first time the Waltz was debuted to the United States was in Boston in 1834. A Boston dancing master, Lorenzo Papanti, gave a presentment of the dance at the Beacon Hill Mansion owned by Mrs. Otis. The societal leaders of Boston were aghast and dismayed. They called it "an indecorous exhibition." But there was no stopping it there either. By the middle of the nineteenth century, it had made its name and the waltz was here to stay accepted by the entire society.

Are there different varieties of the Waltz?

We know how music is part of a dance; every dance is nothing without the appropriate music to bring it to life. The waltz was given new life with two great Austrian composers - Franz Lanner and Johann Strauss.

In 1830 these two were the most favored composers of the nineteenth century: it is these two men who set the criterion for the Viennese Waltz. It was made into a much faster interpretation of the primary waltz. And by 1900, a normal waltz was one of the three quarter waltzes with a combination of one quarter of other dances.

Then came the end of the nineteenth century and there were a couple of alterations to the waltz. The first change was the Boston, being a slower waltz with long, effortless manner. After the First World War, the Boston ceased to exist, but it did inspire the unfolding of the English or International style that is still here today. The new change had a step, which had a pause, which involves taking one step to three beats of the measure. The paused steps are still used in today's waltz.

So to answer the question above, the answer is yes. There are two variations, the Modern Waltz that we have today and the Viennese (quick) Waltz.

Why was it called the Forbidden dance?

When the waltz moved to the Viennese dance halls, the pair, from that moment on would touch one another. Touching in a dance was totally unheard of. Dances then were standing across from your partners and so forth. But because of the waltz, many church and community members as well as officials of the Austrian community began to quetch loudly.

But just like today, it was popular among the youth dancers and they carried on the dancing. It then went on to the dance hall and city assemblies, and because of this, it had evolved into a more delicate dance. They were now enjoyed on beautiful polished floors and for parties everywhere. The music had even undergone its own rebirth to a more gracious and symphonic form. There were instruments like the piano, the violin and the bass that were used in these orchestras bringing on a melody like no other.

Mozart was a huge fan of the Waltz and made it a central part in one of his operas, Don Giovannie. There were three waltzes played at once in one scene! There was no stopping it at that point.

By the 1800s, it was loved by all, especially in Paris. It arrived in London, a while later where it was condemned openly as being evil. They later conceded and accepted it, but not without warnings to the parents. They had a final public acceptation in 1819, which allowed the waltz to reach incredible popularity.

Now the Waltz covers ever corner of the earth. The precursors have all died out, but that's all right, the Waltz, which was at one time carried the label of the "Forbidden Dance", has been replaced by another "Forbidden Dance". It is now proudly owned by the Tango, a dance from the Argentine slums.