Viennese Waltz

The Viennese waltz dance is the original waltz danced to Strauss’s three beat music compositions. In addition, it originated in Austria in the 19th century and was considered scandalous in its day. Eventually, it rose in stature to be included in royal courts and travel around the world.

Viennese Waltz History

The Viennese dancing and music flourished in Europe and eventually spread across the globe and arrived to the United States. Several versions of waltz evolved from this original Austrian waltz. Slower tempo waltzes evolved in England and the United States to fit the slower waltz music that became popular later.

Standford Viennese Ball 2017

Opening Committee Waltz

Fast Tempo in Other Waltzes

Currently, there are numerous versions of waltz including American waltz, International waltz, Cajun waltz, Country Western waltz, folk waltz, Argentine valse (waltz) and Viennese. However, the Viennese style waltz is still popular where it originated in Austria. There are many Viennese balls in Austria each year in the months of January and February. Most Viennese style waltzes retain the tradition of fast tempo, the closed position and right left box turns around the floor.

Viennese Waltz Dance Team

Mariupol, Ukraine

Viennese Waltz in the Movies

Cinderella – The Ball

Cinderella Movie, 2015

The Vampire Masquerade Waltz

Van Helsing Movie

Viennese Ballet Performances

Vienna New Year’s Concert 2014

The Romantics Waltz, op. 167

Viennese Ballet Performance

Silverster 2008

Vienna New Year’s Concert 2012

Wiener Philharmoniker Blue Danube

Television Dance Show Performances

Top SYTYCD Favorite Viennese tempo waltzes

Sweet Dreams for You by Jewel song

Top 10 Dancing with the Stars Performances

Viennese waltz tempo waltzes

Every Body Dance Contest (Television)

Viennese waltz artistic dance performance

Andre Rieu Emperor Waltz (Kaiser-Waltzer)

Andre Rieu performs live Maastricht 2012

Viennese Style Music Videos

Caribbean Blue Song

Sung by Enya

Characteristics

The Viennese waltz is approximately twice as fast as the American waltz. In social dance circles, ballrooms and folk dance centers this dance has evolved to include open positions, passing steps and flourishes. Also, ballroom dancers use the hesitation timing where the dancers only uses one weighted step in three beats of music, as well as the normal three weighted steps in three beats of music.

Blue Danube Waltz, Vienna City of My Dreams

Peninsula Symphony & Irvin Tyan Historical Dancers Performance

Viennese Waltz Music & Top Songs

The term, Viennese, when used for music, dancing and the waltz refers to the city, Vienna. However, in recent years the term refers to all styles of fast tempo waltzes. For instance, a fast tempo may be called a Viennese waltz. This explains why waltz performance routines using contemporary music is called a Viennese waltz. For example, Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance television shows included Viennese style waltz dance routines. Generally, contemporary music was used in the choreography. However, the music was not Viennese per se, it was Viennese tempo waltz.

8Tracks.com 10 V. waltz Music Playlist

The Most Beautiful Waltz Music Playlist

Top 10 Favorite Waltzes Playlist