La Walse Russe (Blasis, Code Complet de la Danse, 1830, p. 317):
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This is an early version of a turning Pas de Basque, described by Carlo Blasis in his 1830 Code Complet de la Danse, 16 years before the more popular turning Pas de Basque, the Redowa, was first described.
It was discovered by Richard Powers, translated by Angela Elsey, and reconstructed by Nick and Melissa Enge.
Waltz position with the Lead's right hand at the Follow's waist. The dancers are both slightly offset to the left of their partner.
Steps described for the Lead.
Start in 5th position with right foot in front of left, Lead facing the outside wall.
Count 1: Leap back onto the right foot along LOD, turning 90 degrees clockwise. The right foot makes a small half circle in the air from in front of the left foot to behind it.
Count 2: Cross the left foot in front of the right, turning 90 degrees clockwise (described as moving the left foot from second position through first position to fourth position in front), ending up stepping forward along LOD.
Count 3: Cut the right foot (forward) under the left foot, taking the place of the left, left foot slightly raised in front.
Count 4: Cut the left foot (backward) under the right foot, taking the place of the right, right foot slightly raised behind
Count 5: Step forward to the inside lane of your partner (as you rotate, the position of the right foot develops from second position to fourth position to fourth over).
Count 6: Step side left, passing by your partner on the inside lane. (As you continue to rotate, this will bring the right foot in front again, to start from the beginning.)
As described, the Follow starts on count 2 (presumably because it's awkward and unnecessary to cut backward under the right foot with the left foot from fifth position), but once you get into it, she dances all of the steps, just phase-shifted three counts.
Of the music, Blasis writes: "The music of La Russe is triple time, 3/4 or 3/8. The movement is slower than that of the ordinary waltz. This music must bear the imprint of that of the other Russian national tunes, that is to say, it must have the sweetness of the mignarderie [?], and a somewhat languorous melody."
For period Russian music, we find that one of Mikhail Glinka's early mazurkas works well.
© 2017 Nick Enge
(Click to expand)
La Walse Russe (Blasis, Code Complet de la Danse, 1830, p. 317):
For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.
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