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The Waltz King
By Diana Rogers
I remember as a child dancing with my father on top of his shoes. Around and around we would go and delighted in just twirling about, I never wanted my dad to stop. I would hear him count 1-2-3, 1-2-3. I didn’t even know back then that what we were doing was “waltzing”. The waltz is a poplar dance that grew out of folk dances in Austria and Germany. It is the oldest of the ballroom dances and caused quite a stir at first in Paris and London because it was the first time that a couple danced facing each other with the man’s hand around the lady’s waist. Waltzes always have three beats in a measure, but the tempo makes them seem as if there were in one big beat to a bar. 1 2 3, 1 2 3. While Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-1899) is most famous as “The Waltz King,” many other composers have written waltzes like “My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music and Billy Joel’s, “The Piano Man.” Johann Strauss was born in Vienna, Austria and lived during the Romantic period. He was a popular composer and violinist and conducted a dance orchestra. Interesting that Johann’s father, a successful conductor, did not want his sons to become musicians. He wanted Johann to become a banker because he thought it would be better for his career. Funny thing is that Johann wrote his first waltz when he was six years old. When he was 19 years old, he started his own dance orchestra. He became very popular in Vienna and his brothers joined him as violinists, composers and conductors. Strauss became the number one dude of music in Vienna at that time. Everyone loved his music. He composed 500 dance pieces, like polkas, marches and more than 150 waltzes. I love his music because it has lots of energy and spirit. Perhaps you are familiar with his famous “Tales from the Vienna Woods” and “The Blue Danube.” Strauss was now popular all over Europe and yes, America where he performed in Boston and New York City. Can you imagine a grand ballroom with ladies in long dresses sweeping around the floor to the beautiful melodies? |
Johann Strauss Jr.
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
LadyD Piano
Piano teacher and kindergarten music.
ladydpiano.blogspot.com
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Learning to waltz is one thing I never did. It's too bad because you make it seem very uncomplicated and I always thought the waltz was difficult to master.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Let's waltz together. On the first beat, step forward with your left foot. On the second beat, step forward and to the right with your right foot. On the third beat, slide your left foot over to your right and stand with your feet together. On the fourth beat, step back with your right foot. On the fifth beat, step back and to the left with your left foot. On the final beat, slide your right foot toward your left until your feet are together; now you're ready to start over... or maybe not! :)
Oh oh oh... The Blue Danube Waltz... One of my personal favs... What a marvelous piece of music!
Okay, I got it! On the first beat, step forward with your left foot. On the second beat step back and to the left with your right foot. On the third beat step back and to the right with with your left foot. On the fourth beat, step forward with your left foot...
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thanks, I think you got it! :) Maybe we should move on to "the swing" or "jitterbug". I feel new intel in the making!
I am indeed familiar with Strauss. I have always loved his music. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to attend a New Years Day Concert called --- I forget -- but its a group that travels around performing Viennese music and dance. In any case, it was truly memorable.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Sounds like a wonderful experience, June. I am happy for you!
The copyright for this content entitled "The Waltz King" has been specified by the contributor as:
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If you use this content according to the license specified, you must link to the following URL:
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This intel was contributed by LadyD
LadyD
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May, 2012
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