Five-Step Mazurka Waltz

Choreographed by Richard Powers, performed by dancers from Ufa, Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Henri Cellarius heard music in 5/4 time in his friend Jules Perrot's ballet "Catarina or La Fille du Bandit." Naturally, Cellarius thought, "I could waltz to that!" and invented the Valse à Cinq Temps.

Cellarius wrote in 1847, "This waltz is capable of as many variations as the others," which could include reverse, Polka Mazurka, Redowa, Varsouvienne and more. The American Five-Step Waltz followed this advice, adapting the Polka Mazurka to 5/4 time.

Cellarius' described only one variation, as a "mere suggestion" and not definitive, as he wanted to see what others would come up with. His attitude was creative and encouraging, not restrictive.

80% of my work is in exact dance reconstructions, without any modifications. But sometimes I take the role of a 19th century dancing master, whose job it was to invent new variations. Since the Five-Step Waltz was an example of extreme originality, these Five Step Mazurka Waltz variations also expand mid 19th century conventions, meaning that I am playing with possible creative combinations of original steps, not an exact reconstruction.

See more on the role of an authentic 19th century dancing master here: http://socialdance.stanford.edu/Syllabi/dance_master.htm

Видео Five-Step Mazurka Waltz канала Richard Powers