Ah, the Waltz. The charming twirling box-step. The sliding, gliding “one-two-three” dance attempted by beginners everywhere in preparation for respectable functions such as weddings, birthdays, and balls.
But what if we told you the Waltz wasn’t always so respectable? Read on to learn five surprising facts about Waltz history that will leave you clutching your pearls and maybe even scratching your head.
- The Waltz started as a German peasant dance. In fact, the word “waltz” comes from the German word “walzen,” or “to revolve.”The first mentions of something similar to a modern Waltz popped up in the written historical record as early as the 16th century. Society so-and-sos like Michel de Montaigne and Kunz Haas began writing of the dances done by servants in music halls and below stairs in cities such as Augsburg, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Austria. The style of dance became so popular that it was even said nobles would slip away to peasant dance halls just for a change of pace and footwork.
- Many people found the Waltz too risque for respectable society at first. Described in 16th- and 17th-century texts as “godless,” “mad,” “shameless,” “riotous and indecent,” there were many who found the Waltz shocking in comparison to other dances of the period for the closeness it allowed between men and women and the indecent, fast twirling that was its trademark.
- The Waltz became “okay” when a wealthy noble said it was okay. Like many elements of style, the Waltz’s legitimization and entrance into noble society happened after the endorsement of an aristocrat. In this case, that person was Dorthea Lieven, a noblewoman of the Russian empire, ambassador to Britain, and a natural leader. She was an important patroness of Almack’s, a very exclusive London club, and introduced the Waltz there and, therefore, to all of England during the regency period.
- Lord Byron wrote a sarcastic hate poem about the Waltz. The Waltz was one of the most fashionable dances in London during the early 19th century — when poet and Lord George Byron was at his peak. Lord Byron had a clubfoot. Thus, he was never going to be a waltzing pro. His poem “The Waltz,” a 250-line satirical screed against the dance, suggests that he harbored some hard feelings about this. It’s also curiously buttoned up for a man famous for pushing moral boundaries of the time.
- The Waltz is the foundation on which dozens of other famous dances are built. The Waltz’s “closed position” (in which the dancing partners are very close) became the basis for several styles and variations worldwide, including a number of popular folk and ballroom dances. From Scandinavia to Vienna to Mexico, by the 19th century, there wasn’t a country that couldn’t claim some version of this historical dance.
Learn the Waltz With Help from Fred Astaire Dance Studio
At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, our experienced instructors will have you waltzing across the room in no time! We work with all ages and ability levels. So, whether you’re looking to perfect your wedding dance, you’re searching for a fun way to get closer to your partner, or you just love to dance, you’ve come to the right place.
Ready to experience the joy of dance? Get started today by contacting us to online.