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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

The waltz, (walzer or waltzen - to turn), or as the French claim - (valse, from the volte), is a dance in 3/4 time. It probably derived from the German Ländler, which became important in the late 1700s, both with composers and in the ballroom. Early forms of the waltz (two sections each of eight bars) can be seen in compositions by Mozart and Beethoven. 

Many composers took up the rhythm and incorporated it into their music. Notable among these were the Viennese composers Johann Strauss 1, and Lanner. These dances were speeded up and rapidly became popular all over Europe.

More sophisticated waltzes were composed by Schubert who commenced them with trios, introductions and codas. An idea which the Strausses later incorporated into their compositions. Schubert's genius also inspired other composers who raised the waltz above being merely a dance form.

Since then it has never looked back as a music form. We have concentrated on the famous waltzes of the Viennese and French masters in our web site. This type of music  obviously had an enormous influence on our Arthur; particularly marches like the ever popular Radetzky March from Johann 1, polkas, and waltzes like Johann II's Blue Danube, and The Skaters by the French composer Emil Waldteufel.

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