Viennese Waltz

The Viennese Waltz, so called to distinguish it from the Waltz and the French Waltz, is the oldest of the current ballroom dances. It emerged in the second half of the 18th century from the German dance and the Ländler in Austria and was both popular and subject to criticism. It gained ground due to the Congress of Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century and the famous compositions by Josef Lanner, Johann Strauss I and his son, Johann Strauss II. It had spread to England sometime before 1812.

The Waltz developed in Central Europe, originating from the Austrian folkdance known as the "Landler." The dance arrived in Vienna during the 1800s then became popular throughout Europe and America. The music of Johann Strauss helped to popularize the faster, elegant Viennese Waltz.

The Viennese Waltz is a rotary dance where the dancers are constantly turning either toward their right (natural) or toward their left (reverse), interspersed with non-rotating change steps to switch between the directions of rotation. A true Viennese waltz consists only of turns and change steps. In a properly danced Viennese Waltz, couples do not pass, but turn continuously left and right while traveling counterclockwise around the floor following each other. It can be more of a challenge for dancers because of the speed, but it does develop balance and control. Its’ sweeping movements are simple, yet beautiful to watch.

Today the Viennese Waltz is a ballroom and partner dance that is part of the International Standard division of contemporary ballroom dance.