Music and Dance
Abstract
Vienna’s reputation as the ballroom dancing capital of Europe was already secured by the end of the eighteenth century and continues to this day. This chapter examines the rich history of dance in Vienna from the eighteenth century – the period of the first public ballrooms as well as the emergence of ballet as an independent art form – to the present day. It discusses Viennese ball culture and its iconic dance, the waltz, which is the part of Vienna’s history that has been most influential on wider dance culture, and originated the most recognizably and distinctively ‘Viennese’ musical style.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Musicology and Musical Analysis
Diversity and Impact of Dance
Music History and Culture
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Pages
- 71–88
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter