The History of 19th Century Historical Ballroom Dances

The 19th century was rich with lively dances performed at balls in various European countries: England, Austria, Germany, and others. Even today, historical dances remain popular—for example, in the world of opera, hardly any production anywhere in the world is complete without a dance sequence.

Beyond classical music, historical dances are still taught in choreographic schools, especially in major cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk. Every year, both professional and amateur dancers organize balls, striving to bring a piece of the 19th-century atmosphere into our world.

Dances of the 19th century include the mazurka, polonaise, quadrille, polka, krakowiak, Viennese waltz, slow waltz, and contradance. Each has its own characteristics tied to its country of origin and the temperament of its people.

Mazurka

The mazurka is a Polish folk dance named after the Mazurs, inhabitants of Mazovia, a historical region in central Poland. It is performed at a fast tempo in 3/4 or 3/8 time, featuring sharp, accented movements typically on the second beat of the measure.

Polonaise

Also of Polish origin, the polonaise differs in style from the mazurka. It is a stately, processional dance—proud and majestic in character. Balls opened with this dance. The polonaise is performed at a moderate tempo in 3/4 time. Poles loved it for its simple choreography and additional accessories, such as wreaths that girls presented to their male dance partners.

Quadrille

The quadrille is a French dance that originated in the 18th century but remained extremely popular throughout the 19th. Its time signature is usually 2/4, but may shift to 3/8 or 6/8. In Russia, several varieties exist, most notably the Kalinin, Ural, Moscow, and Volga quadrilles. A distinctive feature is that two or four couples dance simultaneously, forming a rectangular geometric figure. It is a very fast dance that requires significant energy.

Polka

The polka is a Czech folk dance in 2/4 time at a lively tempo. Legend has it that the dance was originally invented by a maid in Bohemia, a historical region in Central Europe, and quickly gained popularity across many European countries. One of its signature elements is stepping from foot to foot.

Krakowiak

Another Polish-born dance, the krakowiak, is performed at a very fast tempo in 2/4 time, characterized by a sharp rhythm with numerous syncopations. It is a spirited, joyful dance typically accompanied by folk instruments. Originating in the 14th century, it was initially danced only by men, later evolving into a couple dance.

Viennese Waltz

The Viennese waltz is an Austrian dance known for its swift, flying tempo in 3/4 or 6/8 time. It remains a staple performed by professionals in European ballroom dance competitions today.

Slow Waltz

Also born in Austria, the slow waltz was frequently danced at balls. In fact, several European countries—France, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Austria—contributed to the waltz's origins. It had many variations, each differing in dance figures. In the modern world, this dance remains among the most popular. Despite its visual simplicity, it is challenging to execute, requiring lightness and elegance in movement while dancers must carefully maintain posture.

Contradance

The contradance is a country dance from England that later became a French folk dance. Each couple stands opposite another. It is danced in 2/4 or 6/8 time. This dance is the precursor to the French quadrille. Originally consisting of just one figure, it later expanded to six different compositions.

Any self-respecting professional dancer is familiar with all types of historical dances and knows how to perform them properly. Historical ballroom dances, along with classical ballet, form the foundation of all modern dance styles.