Sound of Music: Austrian Folk Dance

Join us as we explore the Sound of Music and learn about traditional Austrian folk dances!

Introduction

People love to dance, and there are all sorts of dances that people do. Some dances are very simple, while others are quite complicated. There is one particular type of dance, however, that is very special indeed. This dance is called the Austrian Folk Dance.

The Austrian Folk Dance is a very old dance that has been around for centuries. It is a traditional dance that is still danced today by many people in Austria. The Austrian Folk Dance is a very beautiful dance, and it is a lot of fun to watch. It is also a lot of fun to do.

History of Austrian Folk Dance

Austrian folk dance has been around for centuries, and it is still a popular form of entertainment today. The earliest known Austrian folk dance was the Ländler, which dates back to the 15th century. The Ländler was originally danced by couples in rural areas, and it was usually accompanied by an accordion or zither.

Origins

The first folk dance of Austria was polka, which was introduced in 1835 by wayward Bohemian youngsters. This dance quickly conquer the ballrooms of Vienna and became synonymous with elegant society. Soon, however, it became the favorite of the working classes as well. The two groups began to develop their own versions of the dance, but both included its original steps: skipping, running and galloping in place. The upper class favored a more restrained version while the workers preferred a more exuberant style.

The traditional dress for polka is brightly colored and decorated with ribbons, lace and embroidery. Women wear full skirts with petticoats while men don traditional lederhosen (leather breeches). Many couples still wear these costumes when they perform the dance today. In addition to polka, other popular Austrian folk dances include waltz, Schuhplattler (a Bavarian dance), ländler (an Alpine folk dance) and zwiefacher (a couples’ dance from Upper Austria).

Development

The development of Austrian folk dance starts way back in the middle ages. People would gather in large groups, often in town squares, and would dance to music that was played on crude instruments. There were no formal dances, but rather a large group of people would just start moving to the music and everybody would join in. This type of impromptu dancing was called “Volksmusik” or “Volksmusikdance”.

As time went on, more and more people started to learn how to play musical instruments and there became a more defined structure to Austrian folk dances. By the 19th century, there were distinct regional styles of folk dancing that had developed and different areas of Austria had their own unique dances.

The most popular Austrian folk dance is probably the “Ländler”. This is a couples’ dance that is traditionally danced to music that has a 3/4 time signature. The man and woman hold each other’s hands and move around each other in a circle. The Ländler is still danced today, although it has evolved somewhat from its traditional form.

Other popular Austrian folk dances include the “Waltz”, the “Polka”, and the “Schuhplattler”. The Waltz is a couples’ dance that is usually danced to music with a 3/4 time signature. It is similar to the Ländler, but the couple spins around as they move around the floor. The Polka is another couples’ dance, but it is danced to music with a 2/4 time signature. It originates from Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) and was brought to Austria in the early 19th century by soldiers who had been stationed there. The Schuhplattler is a more energetic dance that involves slapping your thighs, knees, and shoes with your hands. It is usually performed by men, but women sometimes participate as well.

These are just some of the most popular Austrian folk dances – there are many others that are less well-known but just as much fun!

Types of Austrian Folk Dance

There are several types of Austrian folk dance, each with their own origin and purpose. Some are danced solo, while others are danced in couples or groups. Some of the most popular types of Austrian folk dance include the waltz, polka, and mazurka.

Polka

Polka is a couple’s dance of Slavic origin. It spread across Europe and became popular in the ballrooms of Vienna, especially after Johann Strauss II wrote On the Beautiful Blue Danube in 1867.

The polka is danced to music with a 2/4 time signature and is usually in a major key. The steps are fairly simple: couples start by standing side by side, holding hands. They then take three steps forward, followed by a kick, and then three steps back. The woman usually kicks first on the first beat, and the man kicks on the second beat.

Waltz

The term ‘Waltz’ actually comes from the German word ‘walzen’ which means ‘to turn or revolve.’ In the early days of its development, the waltz was considered quite scandalous because it was danced so closely, with couples practically embracing as they whirled around the dance floor.

The waltz really came into its own in the early 1800s and has been a staple of both ballroom and folk dance ever since. Austrian waltzes are often very fast and lively, with a distinctive oompah-pah beat that gets dancers moving enthusiastically around the floor.

Schuhplattler

The Schuhplattler is a traditional Bavarian folk dance in which dancers slap their shoes, thighs, and knees while stomping their feet and clapping their hands. It is often performed to the music of an Alpine horn or zither. The dance originated in the Alpine regions of Austria and has been popularized by Bavarian immigrants to the United States.

Music of Austrian Folk Dance

Austrian Folk Dance is an important part of the country’s musical heritage. It has its roots in the medieval era, and has been influenced by a variety of music styles over the centuries. Austrian Folk Dance is typically performed by a group of dancers, often in traditional costume. The music is usually lively and upbeat, and the dances are often very energetic.

Polka

Polka is a folk dance that originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, then part of the Austrian Empire. It spread worldwide with the popularity of German and Austrian musicians in balls, carnivals and other venues, becoming especially popular in Europe and the Americas. Polka remains a popular dance in many European countries, as well as throughout the Americas.

The name “polka” may come from the Czech word půlka, meaning “half”, referring to the short, half-time feel of the dance. Another theory suggests that it comes from an old Czech or Slovak word meaning “party” or “celebration”. Early forms of polka are said to have originated in central Europe during the early 19th century.

Polkas were frequently played at country dances in Bohemia as early as 1824, but they did not become popular until 1830 when Antonín Švehla wrote his famous “Radetzky March”. The first known public performance of a polka was given by Wenceslaus Lombardi (not to be confused with Vaclav Lombardi) in Prague on October 15, 1835.

Since then, polkas have been adapted to fit the tastes of various cultures around the world. For example, American and British bands began playing polkas in a simpler style during the late 19th century which became known as “Oldtime” or “Vintage Polka”. This style was eventually replaced by more complex arrangements which were intended to appeal to a wider audience.

Waltz

The waltz is a smooth, elegant dance that is perfect for couples who want to dance together in harmony. The Waltz is danced in 3/4 time and originated in Austria in the late 18th century. The music is usually very romantic and has a flowing, flowing feeling to it. The Waltz is often considered the “mother of all ballroom dances” because of its widespread popularity and because so many other dances (such as the Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz) have been derived from it.

The Waltz is usually danced with partners holding each other close, but there are also open positions in which the dancers hold each other further away. In competitive ballroom dancing, there are five different types of waltzes: American Smooth, International Standard, Viennese Waltz, English Old-Time, and Austrian Folk.

Schuhplattler

The Schuhplattler is a traditional Austrian folk dance in which dancers stomp, slap, and clap their hands and knees to the music. The Schuhplattler is often performed at weddings and parties, and is sometimes used as a form ofcourtship.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about Austrian folk dance and music! This type of dancing is a great way to get moving and have fun, while also enjoying the rich culture and history of Austria. Whether you’re listening to traditional Austrian music or watching a folk dance performance, be sure to appreciate the intricate steps and beautiful sounds of this unique form of expression.