waltz

The waltz is a dance in triple meter (3/4 time) characterised by its distinctive ONE-two-three rhythmic pattern and smooth, rotating movement. Originating in Austria and Germany in the late 18th century, it was initially considered scandalous because partners danced in a close embrace — a departure from the group formations of earlier dances. The Strauss family — Johann I and Johann II especially — made the waltz the dominant social dance of 19th-century Vienna. Chopin's waltzes elevated the form to concert music, while Ravel's La Valse deconstructs and darkens the genre. The waltz remains one of the most recognizable musical forms in the world, and its influence extends from classical ballet to country music's waltz-time songs.