The Waltz

Colorful flowing ballgowns! Tails! Weddings! Beautiful music! Strong melodies!

Waltz: from the old German word walzen to roll, turn, or to glide.

Waltz: a ballroom dance in 3/4 time with strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close.

Waltz: to move or glide in a lively or conspicuous manner (to advance easily and successfully).

Reportedly, the first time the waltz was danced in the United States was in Boston in 1834. Lorenzo Papanti, a Boston dancing master, gave an exhibition in Mrs. Otis' Beacon Hill mansion. Social leaders were aghast at what they called "an indecorous exhibition." By the middle of the nineteenth century, the waltz was firmly established in United States society.

Around the close of the nineteenth century, two modifications of the waltz were developed. The first was the Boston, a slower waltz with long gliding steps. Although the Boston disappeared with the first world war, it did stimulate development of the English or International style which continues today. The second was the hesitation, which involves taking one step to three beats of the measure. Hesitation steps are still widely used

Song Suggestions:

Fascination by Nat King Cole
Are You Lonesome Tonight by Elvis Presley
I Wonder Why by Curtis Stigers
Come Away With Me by Nora Jones
Open Arms by Journey
Take It To The Limit by The Eagles
Take Me In Your Arms by Dean Martin
Three Times A Lady by Lionell Ritchie
Through The Dark by KT Tunstall
When I Need You by Rod Stewart
You Light Up My Life by Leanne Rimes
If You Don't Know Me By Now by Simply Red
Sandy's Song by Dolly Parton
Tonight I'll Be Lonely by Allison Krauss
Can I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life by Anne Murray
The Garden Meeting by John Williams (Memoirs of a Geisha Soundtrack)
Hushabye Mountain by Various Artists
Under The Bridges Of Paris by Dean Martin & Various Artists
Dark Waltz by Hayley Westenra
A Time For Us by Various Artists
Like Red On A Rose by Unknown Country Artist
Tennessee Waltz by Patsy Cline
Who Will Sing Me Lullabies by Kate Rusby
This Woman In My Life by Phil Vassar
Winter Waltz by
Moon River by Various Artists
Dreams To Dream by Fieval Goes West Soundtrack
Sunrise Sunset by
So She Dances by Josh Groban
Gravity by John Mayer
With You I'm Born Again by
When The Deal Goes Down by Bob Dylan
It Is You by Dana Glover (Shrek Soundtrack)
Till It Happens To You by Corinne Bailey Rae
Now & Forever by Air Supply
Daddy's Little Girl by Dean Martin
I need you to turn to by Elton John (Live in Austrailia album)
And the angels cried by
Give me forever (I do) by
Vaya Con Dios by
Celebrate Me Home by Kenny Loggins