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Thursday, April 25, 2013

V is For Viennese Watz

Viennese Waltz is a fast-paced competitive ballroom dance with a 3/4 count  as in 1-2-3-1-2-3. As the name implies, the dance originated in Vienna and is traditionaly danced to Strauss music.

It is a series of fast turns as the couples progress down the floor in the line of dance.

The dresses are reminscient of the old European Romantic Era. Spectators enjoy watching the graceful lilt of the fast turns as the coupes find their way around the floor.

Viennese Waltz was never wildly popular with the competitors when I danced. I find that a dance where the dancers step on every beat is boring and just a lot of hard work. Many couples shared my opinion but I can't speak for the dancers of today. Although my partner and I always scored high on the Viennese, my mind would sometimes wander and it was the only dance I couldn't stay focused on.

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46 comments:

  1. I think it's beautiful! I can't imagine your mind wondering while doing this... How many years did you compete?

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  2. Turquoisemoon
    I admit it's beautiful to watch, the pretty dresses swirling around but all you do is turn circles one way and then the other way as you keep on the line of dance. What I'm saying, it's mindless. Who has to think to turn circles? It just was not my favorite dance. I competed about 30 years but danced with training long before I decided to compete.

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  3. Never even heard of this one, sounds lie you aren't impressed by it though.

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    1. John
      Well, it's a very old waltz but for me, it's boring to do.

      Delete
  4. Very pretty waltz or maybe it is her dress that makes it so pretty.

    Wow... you only have 4 letters to go and then the A-Z is done for another year. Congratulations on sticking with it.

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    Replies
    1. My Dear
      The congratulations go to you for sticking with me throughout. Thank you

      Delete
  5. I've just come across your blog from the A-Z list and will be going back through your posts, what a lovely theme with some gorgeous videos. I can imagine to a competitor like yourself the Vienese Waltz may be boring, but it looks like it might quite dreamy and romantic for a couple to dance together just for fun.

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    Replies
    1. Daydreamer
      I don't dance anymore so I probably am not one to show my viewpoint. It's been around a long time. It's usually the dance they were doing during the civil war time when someone breaks into the ballroom and announces, "it's war." And the men rush outside to their horses and guns and the ladies hover inside in a group.

      Thank you for stopping. It's pleasant to meet you

      Delete
  6. Boring you say
    Here at your bay
    Well that one anyone can do
    Even the cat spins round and round at his zoo
    So can sure see
    How it would be boring to a pro like thee

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    Replies
    1. Pat
      I like to do the just plain waltz
      I say it truly lacks that schmaltz
      Of old Vienna days of yore
      People I think were really poor
      Some how they liked to spin and spin
      Cody could do it with Rin-tin-tin.

      Delete
  7. It still looks graceful and pretty to me, and I love her dress. :)

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    1. Rosey
      It is graceful and pretty and takes a great deal of training to perform it well.

      Delete
  8. It's just so fluid and flowing. When the waltz was first introduced, wasn't it thought a bit risque because men and women actually held each other throughout the whole dance?

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    Replies
    1. Bish
      Yes, it was thought frightfully wicked to touch a man in public.

      Delete
  9. How interesting! My dad loved Strauss . He was content to just listen. Another wonderful post!

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    Replies
    1. I like Strauss too. Lately they dance to something more modern but with the same fast waltz beat.

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  10. It's worth it just to see this beautiful dress on display.

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    Replies
    1. Joy
      The dresses for Viennese Waltz have changed very little throughout the years.

      Delete
  11. Hi Manzanita .. it is a beautiful dance - I always love watching it done properly! Cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Hilary
      Twirling whirling in beautiful dresses. It's especially colorful when there are more couples on the floor.

      Delete
  12. Know of the waltz, but not this version, thanks for stopping by too

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    Replies
    1. Holy Writer
      It is s waltz beat but faster so all there is time for would be the turns.

      Delete
  13. it looks so romantic and sweet though.

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    Replies
    1. Inger,
      I wasn't saying anything against the dance. It is a lovely, wonderful dance, Just not my favorite, but we always performed it.

      Delete
  14. Maybe not popular, but oh so neat to watch!

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    Replies
    1. Al
      A few Viennese songs are still played at social dancing. But more people do the regular waltz.

      Delete
  15. It is a very beautiful dance. Makes me want to get back into shape so that I can participate.

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    Replies
    1. Murees
      Maybe it can be an inspiration to you.
      Thanks for visiting.

      Delete
  16. I can see your point. If you have a good partner, all you are doing is following a strong lead and turning in circles. It looks very pretty. However, if you are used to maintaining a strong frame, there really isn't much for you to do. It is lovely to watch, though. However, even that would get boring after too much time.

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    1. Robin
      I must have said too many negative things about this dance because the comments kinda indicate that. It's a beautiful dance so I'll just keep my mouth shut. LOL

      Delete
  17. I lived in Vienna 7 years ago and actually got to see a few couples demonstrate the waltz. It is beautiful, but it looks more difficult than other dances.

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    Replies
    1. JJ
      No, it's the easiest because you are constantly turning in circles one way and then the other way.

      Delete
    2. JJ
      I meant to add, lucky you living in Vienna. Were you going to school or just soaking up culture?

      Delete
  18. Another pretty dance that is much harder than it looks. Stepping on every beat? I'd be worn out after two rounds of the floor.

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    1. River
      That is what I mean. It's really hard work to go that fast and you get dizzy if you don't spot and I didn't always and yipes.

      Delete
  19. They glided over the floor..no feet involved. I almost got dizzy with the swirling skirts and bending heads. Hmmm..... I haven't danced like that EVER!

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    1. Rosemary
      Yes, one does get dizzy, as I told River, if you don't spot. and it's really fast, but besides that, it's easy because you are just going in circles.

      Delete
  20. I always thought of it as being stylish, romantic but kind of upper crusty.

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    Replies
    1. Patti
      Well, yes, in the old civil war movies, that is what they danced. Remember Scarlett dancing in "Gone with the Wind."

      Delete
  21. It really has an old world flair to it. They make it look easy...the true testament of how great of dancers they are.

    I'm sure you were better, though :)

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    Replies
    1. Mark
      Actually this dance is easy. You keep turning as you step on every beat. You turn one way for so many steps then go the other way for so many steps. You unwind. Ha
      Oh right. But it is hell to get old and stop doing something that you loved so much.

      Delete
  22. oh oh oh oh I know this one, I danced it once in school!!! I sucked at it, but I still love the music.

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  23. Gracious! How can your mind wander while doing that dance? It's so fast and fluid and beautiful. If I was attempting something like that I'd be tripping and falling all over the place.

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