European dances
European dances refers to the various dances originating in Europe, including several styles of cultural music and movement. European dances tend to be refined, as they are based on the court dances of aristocrats. History of European medieval dance is fragmented and limited, but is believed that simple folk dances were widespread among common and wealthy classes.
History
In ancient times, European dances were performed as either hierarchic (sacred) dances in religious ceremonies,[1] or dances for popular entertainment.
Greek dance included religious worship, education, religious or civil ceremonies, and festivities.[2] One famous Greek dance is the dithyramb, in honor of Dionysus.
Originally Rome had exclusively religious dances, as Rome gained dominance including conquering Greece more dance traditions were absorbed.[3] The Bacchanalia and Lupercalia festivals highlight the importance of dance in Rome.
Under Christianity, dance fell under the control and condemnation of the Church.[4] Records of Medieval dance are fragmented and limited, but a noteworthy dance reference from the medieval period is the allegory of the Danse Macabre.
During the Renaissance, the dance became more diverse.[5] During the Renaissance, dance was distinguished between country dances and court dances. Court dances are better preserved because they were formal Court entertainment while Country dances were performed for leisure for the populous.[6]
In Germany, from a modified ländler, appeared the waltz, and gradually, was introduced in all the European courts. Something similar could be said of the polka or the mazurka. Thus, group dance gives way to couples dance.[7]
The 16th century Queen of France Catherine de' Medici promoted and popularized dance in France. Catherine helped develop the ballet de cour. The production of the Ballet Comique de la Reine in 1581 is regarded by scholars as the first authentic ballet.[8]
In the 17th century, the French minuet, characterized by its bows, courtesies, and gallant gestures, permeated the European cultural landscape.
Examples
Germany
Germany does not have an official national dance, but there are recognized dance styles:[9]
- Ländler: A dance for couples showing fierceness and trampling. Sometimes it is purely instrumental and sometimes has vocal arrangements including yodeling. When ballroom dancing became popular in Europe in the 19th century, Ländler became faster and more elegant, and men took the nails off of the boots they danced with. This is believed to be the forerunner of the waltz.
- Polka: A popular dance appeared in Bohemia in 1830.
References
- ↑ LUERSSEN, JADE (1967). THE EVOLUTION OF SACRED DANCE IN THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITION. Illinois Wesleyan University. line feed character in
|title=at position 37 (help) - ↑ "Brief Description of the Greek Dance". www.nostos.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "Roman Dance". www.carnaval.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "The History of Dance in the Church". RU. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "Historia", DanzasDelMundo.wordpress.com
- ↑ "Western Social Dance". memory.loc.gov. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ ÁNGEL ZAMORA "Danzas del Mundo" Publisher= CCSS.
- ↑ "Ballet comique de la reine | dance by Beaujoyeulx". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "German Dance" www.germany101.com/page/german-dance. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
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