Dance & Movement |
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Waltz
Walzen is a German word to roll, turn or glide. Danced by many couples at the same time it was a social dance not a display. Characterised by partners turning in a circle often changing holds. Considered outrageous because people’s bodies faced one another.
Walzen is a German word to roll, turn or glide. Danced by many couples at the same time it was a social dance not a display. Characterised by partners turning in a circle often changing holds. Considered outrageous because people’s bodies faced one another.
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Sarabande
Originally a lively sensual danced by groups of women with castanets. In France it became a much more stately dance. It could be danced as a solo theatrical piece for court which often involved men as well. |
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Minuet & Jig
The minuet was performed to the most important couple in the room “the presence”. One couple danced at a time to show off their excellent deportment with elegance and poise. Lully popularised this variation of the Branle folk dance in his operas, writing and creating over 90 music and dances in this form. All minuet step patterns take 2 bars of 3 with floor patterns in the shape of a figure 8 or Z. Steps are small, graceful, dignified and ceremonious with lots of toe pointing. Minuets are performed with hands in an “open position” and generally start with a bow called the “reverence”. |
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Chaconne
Originally fiery and flirty. In the court of Louis XIV, composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, transformed the Chaconne into a slower dance in his operas. Like the passacaglia - a number of brief sections - 2,4,8 or 16 bars each ending with a cadence that leads without a break into the next section. |
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Mazurka
A Circle Dance for couples. Both music and dance steps use lots of improvisation. The style became popular with composers in the 19th Century, although they were writing for instruments rather than the dance.
A Circle Dance for couples. Both music and dance steps use lots of improvisation. The style became popular with composers in the 19th Century, although they were writing for instruments rather than the dance.
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Tango