The history of the development of English dances

Table of contents:

The history of the development of English dances
The history of the development of English dances

Video: The history of the development of English dances

Video: The history of the development of English dances
Video: Mikhail Vrubel: Mystic Painter and Russian Symbolist 2024, September
Anonim

Dance is one of the most ancient manifestations of art, born together with man as a natural physiological need.

In England, ballroom dancing originated in the countryside. Country dance, for example, was originally a folk dance. As a ballroom, he became known later, having received the name "quadrille". Lancier is also considered to be an early form of the same quadrille. Angles - the combined name of English ballroom dancing.

In England

Even in the Middle Ages, dancing was a very popular leisure activity for the people. Everyone knew such English dances as "Sir Roger de Coverly" and "Jenny picking pears". Dances such as square dance, morris and country dance fell out of fashion during the industrial revolution. But thanks to the efforts of Cecil Sharp, who traveled around England at the beginning of the 20th century, recording the melodies and movements of old English dances, English dance folklore is still known today.

English dances
English dances

In Scotland

One of the most famous dances in Scotland is the Merry Gordons fast male dance performed by a group. Country dance in this area is danced faster. Another dance is highland, usuallyperformed solo as a competition at the Mountain Games. It is characterized by a complex combination of fast jumps and steps and is close to ballet in complexity.

In Northern Ireland

Step dance is popular in this area. This dance, performed solo, is characterized by a fast pace, in which the dancer, with a stationary body, makes quick complex movements with his feet.

In Wales

Those dances that have survived to our time are a mixture of various styles. But one Welsh dance, rural tap dance, does not contain elements of other dance styles. This is a competitive dance performed solo. It is a complex combination of steps and acrobatics.

english dance
english dance

Features of ballroom dancing in England

Ballroom dancing appeared in England in the XVIII-XIX centuries. Initially, they were performed only at balls and were an integral part of them. Later they gained popularity among all segments of the population. Each region of the UK has its own dance traditions. The English brought their dance traditions to North America. And many American dances keep the traditions of English dances.

About a century ago, ballroom dancing competitions became popular. In England, the Ballroom Dancing Council was established under the auspices of the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers. It was created with the aim of developing a certain technique for performing dances. Specialists standardized all dances: w altz, tango, foxtrot. W altz was recognized in England much later than in othersEuropean countries. Too close arrangement of partners in the dance seemed indecent to the British. But after repeated intervention of the most august persons, the w altz was adopted.

A type of w altz - w altz-boston - a typical English dance. It is characterized by its slow pace. The Boston w altz was much more popular in England than the regular w altz. The partners kept in the Boston w altz a little dispersed, which made this dance, according to the British, more decent. The transition from the Viennese w altz to the Boston w altz was a turning point in the history of this dance. Now the Boston W altz is considered an American salon dance.

English ballroom dance
English ballroom dance

In the middle of the 20th century, the slow foxtrot was forced out of the English salons by the more mobile quickstep. Quickstep performance implies lightness and mobility. It should be noted that English dances gained international popularity very quickly.

After years in England got fed up with ballroom dancing and got carried away with jazz. But still, the English style of ballroom dancing is more popular than others due to its originality and grace of movements.

Recommended: