Quadrille is a lively, fast dance. Kinds of quadrilles

Some of the dances of world culture, having acquired certain distinctive features, gained mass distribution not only in their homeland, but also outside it. This includes quadrille - a pair dance, which was once salon and eventually spread among the people.

In movements and in the manner of execution, today there have been some changes, but the basic compositional features of this unique historical dance have survived to this day.

History of dance

Few know that quadrille is a French dance. But there is another version, according to which it first appeared in the late 17th century in England and was called "contredance". This is a dance that originated among the peasantry. There is another opinion about the origin of the name. The essence of it is that the performers are located opposite each other, and the word "contre" from the French language is translated as "against". Especially popular it became performed by several couples in France, and the name was given to him "quadrille".

Dance in decades became very popular and appeared practically in all European territory, including Russia, where its wide spread began from the 19th century. Once in an unusual atmosphere, the French quadrille absorbed the true Russian traditions. Some differences were noted also depending on the geography of the distribution: in different regions, this magnificent dance was given by movements that are characteristic only of local traditions. For example, in some regions there are kisses during its execution.

Quadrille is a dance that was represented even at the assemblies of Peter I in the beginning of the 18th century.

Conquering the visitors of the highest salons and spectators of the dance halls, the quadrille quickly spread in simple people and turned into one of the favorite dances.

Former figures began to be processed, modified, and new ones began to emerge. All these changes have provided this truly folk dance with a long life.

The history of the name

The name of the dance "quadrille" clearly has common roots with the French "quadrille", with "cuadrilla" Spanish and with "quadrum" Latin. In this regard, and there are doubts about the country in which this dance arose.

And yet historical sources confirm the origin of the French, originally as a ballroom dance, formed from the English counter dance. The last peasants danced in England in the 17th century, and the quadrille itself had already spread in France, and then in other European countries in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Description

Quadrille is a lively, fast dance. Previously, the pairs were located opposite each other, on a quadrangle, and alternately performed their games. And there was a dance of five figures, which always ended with the general movement of all pairs.

Despite the complexity of the figures, the movements were perfectly practiced and perfected by salon dancers.

Quadrille changed over time, and the names of movements, many of which disappeared, were simply replaced by figures. Some movements were simplified.

Kinds of quadrilles and their features

The national quadrille is a dance that has many varieties: Russian and Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Estonian, Belarusian and even American. All of them are distinguished by their diversity and originality.

In addition, there may be local variations. For example, the Russian quadrille may be called the Urals, Moscow and Volga.

The Ukrainian quadrille is composed of a multitude of figures that reach 12 by number.

The Belarusian quadrille is a complex of simplicity with a variety of constructions. The total number of figures is from 4 to 12. A distinctive feature of the Belarusian quadrille is the inclusion of soloing, either separately or in pairs.

Russian version of the quadrille

It should be noted that the later appeared genre of chastooshkas quite closely intertwined with this merry dance. How does it look like? Performers during the dance can sing ditties in any order: all together, singly or in pairs. Often the quadrille is performed under many famous songs.

Russian quadrille is a dance that has a feature associated with an increase in the number of dancing couples and with the fact that in some elements there has appeared a shift and each regular figure is separated from the previous movement by a stopping movement simultaneously with the music.

The Russian quadrille represents the following three groups in the form of their construction: angular or square, two-row or linear and circular.

Russian folk dance quadrille has several figures with their names: prohodochka, asterisk, acquaintance, a collar, etc. They are either declared the presenter, or given a pritop or a handkerchief sign for their execution.

Thanks to a combination of surprising zeal with simplicity, the quadrille firmly established itself in the culture and everyday life of the Russian people. This dance absorbed many national traditions. Due to this, it has changed a lot, compared with its original form - quadrille from France.