The Sound of Music: Austrian Folk Dance
Contents
The Sound of Music is a beloved movie for many, and part of its charm lies in the beautiful Austrian scenery. But did you know that the movie also popularized a style of folk dance?
The Austrian folk dance known as the Ländler is featured prominently in the film, and its popularity has only grown in the years since. If you’re looking to add a little bit of Austrian culture to your next dance party, look no further than the Ländler!
Introduction
Austrian folk dance is a form of traditional dancing that is popular in Austria. It is often based on the traditional music and dances of the country’s rural peasants.
Austrian folk dance is usually performed in groups, with men and women dancing together. The dancers often wear traditional clothing, such as Lederhosen (leather trousers) for the men and Dirndls (traditional dresses) for the women.
The most popular Austrian folk dances include the Wiener Walzer (Vienna Waltz), Landler, Polka and Zwiefacher.
The Sound of Music: an overview
The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film directed by Robert Wise and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 Broadway musical The Sound of Music, composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The film’s soundtrack was released as an album, and the film’s success led to several stage productions and other adaptations.
The Sound of Music: the story
“The Sound of Music” is a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on the book “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” by Maria von Trapp. It is set in Austria in the 1930s and depicts the true story of the von Trapp family and their escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. The film was released in 1965 and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
The story begins in Salzburg, Austria, where a young nun named Maria (Julie Andrews) is asked to take care of seven children while their father, Georg (Christopher Plummer), is away on business.Maria quickly falls in love with the children and teaches them how to sing. When Georg returns, he is so impressed with their singing that he asks Maria to stay on as their governess.
However, as the Nazi regime begins to tighten its grip on Austria, the von Trapps must make a difficult decision: whether to stay in their beloved homeland or flee to safety. They eventually decide to escape over the Alps into Switzerland and start a new life.
“The Sound of Music” has become one of the most popular musicals of all time, thanks to its catchy tunes, heartwarming story, and iconic characters. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out!
The Sound of Music: the music
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is a musical love story set in the Alps of Austria in the years leading up to World War II. The legendary team’s final collaboration, the 1959 stage musical was adapted for the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The movie version remains one of the most popular movies of all time, and the show’s score features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and “The Sound of Music.”
The original stage production opened on Broadway in 1959 to mixed reviews, but the public loved it, propelling it to a run of 1,443 performances. The 1965 film adaptation was an even bigger hit, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In 1998, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Austrian Folk Dance
If you are interested in Austrian Folk Dance, you will be able to find many videos online that can show you how to do it. You can also find numerous books that will teach you the steps. Austrian Folk Dance is a great way to get exercise and to meet new people.
The history of Austrian Folk Dance
Austrian folk dance is a type of folk dance that is related to the folk dance of Germany and Switzerland. The origins of Austrian folk dance can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when the Austria was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century, the Austrian nobility began to develop a form of courtly dance, which became known as Landler. Landler was popularized by Johann Strauss Sr., who composed several waltzes based on the dance.
During the 19th century, Austrian folk dance became increasingly popular among the working class. The most popular dances were those from Tyrol and Carinthia, which were often danced in square formations. Square dancing is still popular in Austria today, and many of the dances have been modernized and are now performed to pop music.
One of the most famous Austrian folk dances is the Polka, which was first performed in 1843. The Polka quickly spread across Europe and even to America, where it became hugely popular. Today, there are many different types of Polka, including Czech Polka, French Polka, and Slovenian Polka.
Austrian folk dance has been declining in popularity in recent years, but there are still some places where it can be seen and enjoyed. If you’re ever in Austria, be sure to check out some of the local dances!
The steps of Austrian Folk Dance
There are three types of step in Austrian Folk Dance, the Polka, the Schleifer and the Wienervals. The Polka is danced in 2/4 time, while the Schleifer is danced in 3/4 time. The Wienervals is a variation of the Viennese Waltz danced in 2/4 time.
The Polka is a fast dance where couples spin around each other, changing direction every few measures. The man starts by leading his partner around him in a clockwise direction, then changes to counterclockwise and finally back to clockwise again. The woman follows behind the man, always turning in the opposite direction from him.
The Schleifer is a slower dance, and couples usually dance more close together than in the Polka. The dance consists of sideways steps with turns mixed in. Again, the man leads and the woman follows behind him, but unlike the Polka, they always turn in the same direction.
The Wienervals is similar to the Viennese Waltz, but not as fast. Couples spin around each other as they move across the floor. Unlike the Viennese Waltz which is danced in 3/4 time, the Wienervals is danced to 2/4 time music.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Austrian folk dance is a vibrant and important part of the country’s cultural heritage. It is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, and provides a great way to experience the beauty of Austria. If you have the opportunity to see an Austrian folk dance performance, be sure to take it!
