Johann Strauss (1825-1899), Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
You may wish to use this page along with Merry-Go-Round Booklet p.42: Sally go round the sun : Merry-Go-Round booklet
Ring games have been played throughout the world since ancient times. By dancing and singing together we connect to what is universal, reaffirming our common humanity and establishing community. Other popular ring games that have been enjoyed down the ages are Ring-a-ring-a-roses and Here we go round the mulberry bush.
In the 19th century, one of the most popular dances of the ballroom and theatre was the waltz, a light, gliding dance whose name comes from the German ‘walzen’ meaning ‘to revolve’. This dance is always in triple time, which means the music has three beats in a bar (the performers count to three over and over again).
Composers of famous waltzes include Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), and Johann Strauss (1825-1899). Strauss wrote so many he became known as “the Waltz King.”
Here are examples of their work: though each is a waltz, there are many differences in the way they are written and performance. Can you spot them?
Chopin: Minute Waltz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKILwVH_MdM
Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcZL8q1eBw
Strauss Blue Danube Waltz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDaJ7rFg66A
Find out more:
Book: Patrick – Quentin Blake
A story about the power of music to bring people together and get them dancing.
Download a pdf version of this page : _Famous Artists and their Circles 10 Chopin
Produced by An Lanntair as part of Full Circle Arts programme. Funded through the Aspiring Communities Fund with support from the European Social Fund.