The Viennese Waltz finds its origins in the very ancient move of the primitive folk dances of Austria. For several centuries pairs have danced, spinning around on the same spot while holding each other very closely. At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century these dances shifted to towns and cities. Instead of being performed in country yards and taverns they were now being danced in the great ballrooms of Vienna. Hopping and stamping was transformed into smooth gliding movements over spacious polished floors.
The music of the Viennese Waltz is elegant, grand and full of passion. The dance is beautiful and is a pleasure to watch. The creators of these fascinating melodies were Strauss, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius and Ravel, to name but a few.
