The
spelling for this form of music is
correctly
Ländler (with an
umlaut), but the
node title is spelled without the umlaut (
landler) to conform to editorial policy (see
Gritchka's
Editorial Decision in
Moebius).
Definition
The
barebone definition of Ländler, taken from the
web, hardly
suggests the
rollicking energy and
joy that
inspired a number of
classical composers to write in this style (
Mozart,
Schubert and
Beethoven, to mention three).
A country dance or air in a rustic style, usually in 3/4 or 3/8 time. Originally, the ländler was a slow country dance with hopping and stomping, but it developed into a more elegant ballroom dance with a faster tempo, becoming the predecessor of the waltz.1
Description
The
word itself is derived from "Land" ( = the
country, as opposed to the
city),
suggesting a kind of
folk dance. Each area of
German-
speaking
Europe seems to claim the Ländler as its own. However, the
consensus seems to be that it
originated in
Austria, but don't tell that to a
Bavarian. Wherever the Ländler is found, you are likely to find that it is
gesungen, gejodelt, geklatscht oder gestampft2. (= sung,
yodeled,
clapped or
stomped). The dancing is often in the form of
figures (like square dancing) or as a
reel (=Drehtanz > drehen = to turn, spin).
The music is provided by what we as kids used to call an om-pah-pah band, taken from the sound of the tuba keeping the 3/4 beat. In many Ländler a counter rhythm is provided by slapping the shoe, thigh, arm or other part of the body. The melody is often carried by the accordion or clarinet.
Tracht3 ( = Costume)
The
Trachtenträger (
male in
costume), to be
authentic, must
wear Lederhosen (leather
shortpants with a
bib). Of course he'll be wearing
knee socks and a felt
hat decorated with a
brush or
feather. For the women bright skirts (= Dirdl or Drindl) and apron with a
Mieder ( =
bodice with
fishbone stays) or a
vest (= Spensergewand) are
essential.
Footnotes
1http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textl/Landler.html
2http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.l/l143333.htm
3http://www.cvsasoccer.org/gasc/sgtevh.html