What is a polonaise? The dance that conquered the world

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The dance that conquered the whole world, and in every corner of it was a solemn procession - that's what a polonaise is. For many years, scientists have unraveled the mystery of its origin, many of the most daring hypotheses have been put forward. Some believed that his debut took place in the sixteenth century at the parade in honor of the ascension to the throne of King Henry III. It has also been suggested that the polonaise has Spanish-Arab origins. Some researchers believed that the birth of the dance took place in the Poznań region. But still, in order to understand what a polonaise is, you need to try to look into the depths of centuries on your own.

The emergence of dance

The very definition of the word "polonaise" is quite simple - it translates as "Polish". And indeed, it is this country that is considered the most likely homeland of the described dance. But his development was very long, it took a long period of time.

Approximately in the fifteenth century this dance appeared, but its name was different: "Hodzon". And they danced it mainly at weddings. Some time later, it changed and became an indispensable attribute of all national celebrations.

And in the seventeenth century, the "Great Dance" arose, which is considered a direct descendant of the polonaise. Byin its character (a solemn procession) it resembles a polonaise in exactly the form in which it will become known some time later.

Being borrowed from folk culture, the polonaise also penetrated into the high society, while experiencing the influence of high-ranking persons. The greatest number of borrowings came from the chimes and the minuet.

Distribution in Europe

What is a polonaise, Europe learned after the Polish king Stanislav Leshchinsky danced it in Stockholm. The specific political structure of this country (the rulers were chosen by the gentry, and did not inherit the throne) contributed to the spread of the dance.

Appearing in the eighteenth century in Germany, the polonaise acquired those features that have been preserved for many centuries. The German version of the dance was the closest to the pan-European trend of that time. During this period, it was most often performed with singing rather than instrumental music.

In the next three decades, the polonaise became popular not only at Polish balls, but also at the celebrations of neighboring countries. Not a single official dance event could do without it, since it was perceived exclusively as a symbol of a universal holiday. The music of the polonaise also changed. She completely moved away from vocal accompaniment and became only instrumental.

During the loss of independence of the Kingdom of Poland, this dance became a symbol of the homeland, so many romantic composers turned to it. It is thanks to those who wrote the polonaise that this dance andbecame one of the most popular small forms in the instrumental music of Europe at that time.

Further development of the music of the dance in question took place in the next century. Her bravura tones gave way to melancholy, acquired deep emotions. At the same time, the final formation of the polonaise takes place - the solemn procession that opened the ball.

Polonaise in Russia

In our country, even in pre-Petrine times, it was known what a polonaise was. And Peter the Great was very fond of this dance. Under him, the polonaise was more restrained than the European version. In addition, this dance in Russia had two varieties - ceremonial and ordinary, although in the capital it was less official.

Polonaise was very popular among young people due to the fact that it contributed to rapprochement, as a result of which there was an opportunity for intrigues. The heyday of the dance came at a time of success in the policy of conquest (the end of the eighteenth century). And already in the middle of the nineteenth century, the polonaise was considered obsolete, it was replaced by new dances. But despite this, he did not cease to exist.

Rules and conventions

The dance began with a ritornello (musical introduction), after which the owner of the house invited to follow him. The first couple he went with the most important guest, and after them - the hostess with a particularly important guest. It was unacceptable to be in the same pair of husband and wife. This dance was not only a solemn procession (as evidenced by the meaning of the word "polonaise"), there was also an improvisational moment in it. Allthe dancers repeated the movements invented by the first couple.

According to etiquette, everyone present at the celebration should have danced the polonaise, but this rule was neglected at large balls. It was not uncommon to see a caricature depicting cripples on crutches and old people along with normal dancers.

Polonaise in America

Much less importance was given to polonaise in Western countries. In America, this dance was completely replaced by a more bravura and paramilitary grand march, which was more in line with this country. But still, there is a relationship between these dances, which lies in the same figures.