Shall We Dance?—Le Quadrille
Shall We Dance?—Le Quadrille
Until we’ve had more practice, I am afraid these mishaps are apt to occur! Usually we choose folk dances, those delightfully haphazardous events in which everyone takes all the wrong turns and enjoys himself hugely. This French dance, however, demands a bit more polish and control of the limbs. I think it will be good for us. The complexity may be daunting at first, but that is what makes a slow dance interesting. It keeps you on your toes while you try to keep off everyone else’s.
The music used in these movie demonstrations is from the opera Die Fledermaus [The Bat] by Johann Strauss II. The fitting illustration which graces this page is “Accidents in Quadrille Dancing,”1817.
Le Quadrille
The Quadrille is a French square dance in four parts. Although the movie only shows two couples, this dance would have actually consisted of two long lines of dancers. Each couple interacts mostly with the one directly across—except in certain steps. In the movies, for example, you see individuals bowing to thin air. Normally, there would be another person there to return the compliment.
Note: Since there are scores of variations of this dance, I could not find instructions to match the quadrille demonstrated in these movies. (We need visual help when learning a new dance, and these movies are the best for clarity and modesty.) I transcribed the movements myself. I confess my grasp of technical dance terms is limited, but I have done my best! Any editorial suggestions? (Really, it is easier to dance than I have made it seem.)
Formation
Two couples stand opposite one another four paces apart, the lady to the gentleman's right. The gentleman holds out his right hand, palm upward, his left hand held against his back. The lady's left hand rests lightly in the gentleman's proffered hand, her right arm resting by her side.
(2nd couple)
L G 2nd L 2nd G L G
G L 1st G 1st L G L
(1st couple)
Part I. Le Pantalon (The Pair of Trousers)
1. The gentleman wheels around to face the lady and bows while the lady curtseys. The gentleman wheels back and resumes his place.
2. The gentleman releases the lady and the couples step forward to meet each other. The gentleman takes the right hand of the opposite lady in his right hand. They step forward and each takes the left hand of his/her partner with his/her left hand, releasing the hand of the opposite lady/gentleman. The gentleman places his right hand against the lady's lower back and guides her as they wheel around to take places, opposite the second couple. (The gentleman takes the lady's left hand in his right, with his left hand against his back.)
3. Repeat Step #2. Couples will have resumed original positions.
4. The gentleman switches his hand with the lady, wheels around to face her (he again switches his hand) and bows as the lady curtseys. The gentleman raises their joined hands and the lady makes a complete spin.
5. Still with their arms raised, the gentleman and lady hold the palms of their hands flat together, make a complete counterclockwise turn and then resume their original positions. (Left hands are joined, with the gentleman's right hand placed against the lady's lower back.)
6. The lady steps forward and gives her right hand to the opposite lady. She then steps forward and takes the hand of the opposite gentleman. She curtseys and the gentleman bows. The lady releases the hand of the opposite lady. (This step is called a Ladies Chain.) The gentleman raises their joined hands, the lady makes a complete spin and then takes her place at the gentleman's side. (Left hands are joined, with the gentleman's right hand placed against the lady's lower back.)
7. Repeat step #6. Couples will have resumed original positions.
8. Couples advance to meet each other; gentlemen nod, ladies curtsey.
9. Retire and resume positions.
10. Repeat step #5. (Gentleman will switch his hand with the lady.)
11. Repeat steps #2-#10 in that order. The couples will have resumed original positions. This concludes the first part of the quadrille.
Part II. L'Ete (The Summer)
1. The gentleman wheels around to face the lady and bows while the lady curtseys. The gentleman wheels back and resumes his place. Partners release hands.
2. The first gentleman and the opposite lady advance to meet in the center; the gentleman nods and the lady curtseys. They retire to original positions. (Do not join hands.)
3. The first lady and second gentleman advance diagonally to honor corner partner; gentlemen bows, lady curtseys, and both retire to their original positions. (Do not join hands.)
4. The first gentleman and the opposite lady advance to meet in center, join their right hands, make half a turn, bow/curtsey, and retire. [The gentlemen will all be in one line, the ladies opposite.]
5. Repeat steps #3-#4. [All will have resumed their original positions. (Do not join hands.)]
6. With their arms raised, the gentleman and lady hold the palms of their hands flat together, make a complete counterclockwise turn and then resume their original positions. (Left hands are joined, with the gentleman's right hand placed against the lady's lower back.)
7. Repeat steps #2-#6 with first lady and second gentleman. The couples will have resumed original positions. This concludes the second part of the quadrille.
Part III. La Pastourelle (The Shepherd Girl)
1. The gentleman wheels around to face the lady and bows while the lady curtseys. The gentleman wheels back and resumes his place.
2. The first couple advances to meet opposite couple. The gentlemen bow, ladies curtsey. First couple retires to original position.
3. The first couple advances to meet opposite couple. The first gentleman and the first lady turn toward one another; gentleman bows, lady curtseys. As the first lady retires to position directly opposite the second lady, the first gentlemen gives his left hand to the second lady and takes his place by her side.
1st G 2nd L 2nd G
1st L
4. This group of three advances to meet the first lady. The gentlemen bow, the ladies curtsey. The group of three retires.
5. Repeat step #4.
6. The first lady advances to meet the group of three. The gentlemen bow, the ladies curtsey. The first lady retires.
7. The first lady advances to meet the group of three. The gentlemen bow, the ladies curtsey. The first lady retires.
8. Repeat step #7. As the lady begins to retire, the gentlemen advance and all join hands in a circle. They make half a turn in a clockwise direction. The first lady and the first gentleman retire to the second couple's position and vice versa.
8. The gentlemen release the ladies and the couples step forward to meet each other. The gentleman takes the right hand of the opposite lady in his right hand. They step forward and each takes the left hand of his/her partner with his/her left hand, releasing the hand of the opposite lady/gentleman. The gentleman places his right hand against the lady's lower back and guides her as they wheel around to take places, opposite the second couple. (Couples will have resumed original positions.)
9.Repeat steps #2-#8 with the second couple. The couples will have resumed original positions. This concludes the third part of the quadrille.
Part IV. Finale
1. The lady wheels around to face the gentleman and curtseys while the gentleman bows. The lady wheels back and resumes her place.
2. The couples advance to meet in the middle. The couples release hands. Ladies curtsey, gentlemen bow. All clap their hands together and then clap the hands of the person opposite. This will be done four times. Couples rejoin hands and retire to their original positions.
3. The ladies advance diagonally to meet in the center. They join right arms and make three full clockwise turns. They switch arms and make three full counterclockwise turns.
4. The ladies retire to meet their partners. The gentleman will put his right arm around the lady’s waist; she will put her left hand on this arm. The lady places her right arm around the gentleman’s waist; he will put his left hand on this arm. They will make four complete clockwise turns before joining hands.
5. Repeat Step #2.
6. Repeat Step #3, but with the gentlemen.
7. Repeat Step #4. This time, the couples will make as many turns as will take them to the end of the music, and resume original positions at the last note. This concludes the quadrille.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009