Landler is an Austrian folk dance performed mainly by couples. This partner dance is said to have originated in Austria and is extremely popular in regions such as South Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia. This dance style essentially comprises body movements such as “hopping and stamping”. Furthermore, this dance, too, like the waltz, is performed in the ¾ time signature. Furthermore, the music used in this dance form is mostly instrumental, though vocals are occasionally used.
a. History/origin of the Landler dance:
The Landler was finally called the ‘Landl ob der Enns’, which was compressed into Ländler or Ländl sometime around 1690 and gained popularity around 1720. The origins of the word Ländler come from the word “Land” (country), a dance from the country-side” to dances from the court or city, signifying the state of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) and the adjoining Styria.
It was during the 19th century that this dance is said to have been developed in Austria. Apparently, it was the gradual rise of dance halls in Austria as well as all as across Europe that encouraged the development of this dance style named Landler. Furthermore, waltz is said to have evolved from this form of dancing.
The Landler was considered the smoothest and fastest dance style known at the time, but is comparatively slow today. The Landler is also known as the Hospur.
“Traditional Austrian dance costumes” are used in this dance form, and vary according to gender. They are as follows:
1. For men:
The attire worn includes leather shorts known as “Lederhosen”, a white open-neck shirt, white stockings, and a pair of black shoes.
2. For women:
The attire worn includes a skirt, a white cotton petticoat known as a “dirndl”, stockings, and a pair of black shoes.
b. Costumes used in the Landler dance:
“Traditional Austrian dance costumes” are used in this dance form, and varies according to the gender. They are as follows:
1. For men:
The attire worn includes leather shorts known as “Lederhosen”, white open neck shirt, white stockings, and a pair of black shoes.
2. For women:
The attire worn includes a skirt, white cotton petticoat known as “dirndl”, stockings, and a pair of black shoes.
c. Choreography for Landler dance in the early ages:
Earlier, dances were often choreographed by dance-masters at royal courts and were then implemented by the people. Some elements were then reused by dance-masters, so it was an exchange of dances and styles. It was a style where body contact between men and women was closer, in comparison to Menuett (minuet), circle-dances, etc. Therefore, it was too erotic and lusty, and the authorities and the church tried to restrict dancing, especially dances like this.
People who migrated to Vienna brought with them the Landler from these regions and developed the faster Landler-steps due to the new smooth dance floors and shoes for dancing (relegation of Hobnailed shoes), which nowadays go under the title of “Viennese Waltz“.
The Landler style is a folk dance in which couples are arranged facing one another in a line. Later, the couples would break away, and the men would dance solo and finish the ending of the dance together as a group.
d. The characteristics of the Landler dance today:
- The Landler is a couple’s dance
- It ncludes sophisticated “arm-tying” (known as “wickeln”) and turning round. In many Landler dances, the boys step into the middle of the formed circle and start singing (funny and short songs) and clapping (“paschen”). Landler-style dance can be wild and fast (e.g., Untersteirer Landler) or slow (e.g., Stoahauser Landler).
e. Music involved in the Landler dance:
The musical instrument traditionally used in this dance style is the “zither”, a stringed instrument. Furthermore, nowadays an accordion is mainly used as an instrument.
f. Training availability and technique involved in the Landler dance:
In terms of technique, this dance style basically involves the use of “hopping and stamping”. Furthermore, this dance is considered to be far more elegant and quicker as compared to the waltz. As for training centers/schools, there are none available since this “folk” dance is mainly performed in countries like Austria and German