Stanford-In-Austria is a cultural program run by the Ivy League university, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
When the students of the program returned in 1978, they did so with a wonderful array of the local traditions they had learned.
One tradition culminated in the annual Stanford Viennese Ball.
The Stanford Viennese Ball’s elegantly dressed guests spend the evening and into the morning waltzing to a live symphony orchestra and enjoyed performances from swing dancers.
There’s also a lot of eating, drinking, and being merry with friends all while enjoying centuries-old Austrian traditions. Throw a pig roast and dance competition and attendees have themselves a good old time.
The ball always kicks off with a performance from the Stanford Viennese Ball Opening Committee.
This elegant display of pageantry often draws upward of 1,000 guests.
One particular performance ended up going viral with over 11 million views.
The Standford Viennese Ball Opening Committee performed their waltz to Opus 316 or Künstlerleben, which translates to Artists’ Life.
The waltz was written by Johann Strauss II in 1867 and quickly became popular.
The piece is sort of a reflection of the times when the Austrian army had suffered and the country was looking toward happier times.
The piece begins with a horn solo and dramatic string passage in A minor.
“A pensive waltz melody in A major is introduced, before being cut short by two loud and fierce chords. The first waltz section is then played, with a high-spirited tune and a robust accompanying waltz passage,” Wikipedia explains.
“The second waltz section is a melancholic tune in two parts, with the same dramatic chords as heard in the Introduction before a more upbeat tune heralds the entry of the happier third section. The plaintive mood of the waltz continues in the fifth section before the minor-sounding Coda. The first waltz melody makes another quiet entrance before the waltz is brought to its triumphant close, with a strong chord and flourish, underlined by a snare drumroll.”
The Standford Viennese Ball Opening Committee’s dance to Künstlerleben was choreography by Joachim De Lombaert and Kseniya Charova.
It began with tuxedo-clad men standing on each side of the dance floor.
They then turn around and bow to their white-gowned partners and then take them by the hand, escorting them to the dance floor.
Couples then walk toward the dance floor at different times and angles.
They end up forming a big circle in the middle of the dance floor.
The couples then begin to twirl and step in time creating a beautifully cohesive look. The couples switch partners and do a really cool cross-over move across the dance floor.
The flow of gorgeous ballgowns with each dance step is just mesmerizing.
“As a classical musician who’s not from Vienna, I’ve always been somewhat detached when playing waltzes – as though my interpretation was lacking even though I knew it was a dance. It’s only now by seeing how the dancers twirl around and the skirts swish about and the gracefulness of their steps did I fully understand how waltzes really are..so thank you very much for this. It was an eye-opener and a learning experience,” wrote one YouTuber.”
See what has viewers falling in love with the Waltz all over again in the video below!
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