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Warsaw and became its national dance in Poland's golden age (Sixteenth
Century). Originally it was called the "Holubiec or Holupca,"
named after the brass metal heels, which they strike while dancing.
The Oberek, Polska and kujawiak are related.
The Mazurka is sometimes called
the "Masur or Masurek" by the people of Poland while
its name is derived from the tribe called "Masures"
who dwell in what was once the Duchy of Masovia (Mazowsze.)
From Poland it went to Russia and formed a Russian Mazurka with
the soldiers then on to England in 1845 by the Duke Of Devonshire
(1833-1908) and became nationalized in Paris, France and other
countries.
However it never gained real attention because
it is a very artistic and difficult dance to learn. It was originally
performed exclusively as a classic dance, and consisted of numerous
figures and steps, all of which it is now divested, except a few
of the elementary movements. The music of the Mazourka is in 3/4
or 3/8 measure and Markowsky is credited for composing the first
Mazurka. The Mazurka is said to be a interpreted dance, meaning
that the basic steps are taught, but it is up to the dancer to
interpret it as they see fit. Here is a passage from Henri Celarius
book "La Danse des Salons" in 1847 on the Mazurka: "The
real dancer of the mazurka not only varies his steps, but more
frequently invents them, creating new ones that belong only to
himself, and which others would be wrong in copying with servility.
One of the great advantages of this dance is, that it leaves to
each his individuality, and prevents those, who practice it, from
seeming as if formed upon the same model".
The "Melancholy"
Mazourka is said to be the most beautiful dance of all time when
executed correctly and was hailed as the "Queen of Social
Dances." It seems to express sentiments of sweetness and
tenderness. It is full of elegance--of an indolent elegance; it
is not a vulgar dance; its slowness has something aristocratic
about it, even a little haughtiness. The waltz
has more passion, but there is grace also in the undulating and
gliding Mazurka. While doing the Mazourka, the movements are always
made sideways while the man does not overly exert himself, is
very proud in posture and the ladies perform the most perfect
grace.
Princess Maria Nicolaevna, daughter of Emperor,
Nicholas I of Russia, who married Maximillian in 1839 is credited
with creating the Polka
Mazur in 1830 which was basically a waltz. The Polka Mazourka
is of Polish origin, and is a very graceful dance. It is a combination
of the Polka and Mazourka steps. Slide the left foot forward (count
one); bring the right foot up to the left; at the same time raise
the left foot, extending it, pointing the foot down (count two);
bring the left back close to the right, at the same time springing
on the right foot without touching the left on the floor (count
three); then execute the Polka Redowa step (count three). Commence
the whole with the right foot; the Mazourka part is executed forward
without turning; then turn half round with the Polka Redowa step;
repeat, and you make the whole round.
There became many variations of the Mazurka,
some were original and some were mixtures of other dances such
as: Mazurka-Valse,
Mazourka- Schottische
etc. The "Polacco" is a sister dance to the Mazurka,
written in 3/4 time and can be graceful and melancholic and other
times lively, more animated. and its movements vary. The Polska
has a similar rhythm to the Mazurka and is related. In Russian
courts, the Polonaise
dance opened the dance and the Mazurka would finish it. By the
way, in Latin writings it was referred to as 'Chorea polonica'.
The Palantines invented the custom of drinking
from the shoe of the dancer after dancing an extravagant Mazurka.
The Gedrosian Prince has been noted as drinking champagne from
Taglioni's
shoe after she danced a Mazourka in a five act Ballet.
The Mazurka is not at all like the version most people have seen
in the "Adams Family Movie" which made fun of the dance
and its name.
Some pattern names of the Mazourka are:
Pas Glisse (basic Mazourka step), bieg mazurowy (running
steps), Pas Ordinaire, Pas de Flore, Pas Boiteux, Pas de Basque,
Assemblies, Phrases, Les Pas Battus (heel strikes), holubiec
(Heel strikes), Laterales are names of some of the steps of the
Mazurka, plus a whole lot more. |
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