Beautiful Brussels...

As the Duchess of Richmond's Ball was held in Brussels before the Battle of Waterloo, it is no surprise that the city is being remembered in the ball's dance list! Like yesterday's post on the Duke of Wellington Waltz, the Brussels Waltz also has a Country Dance Figure and a Waltz Figure, so I'll go over them both...

Brussels Waltz (1815)

Here's the sheet music, which was published in Paine of Almack's 4th Set of Quadrilles, which will also be performed at the ball (but more on that dance later)...

COUNTRY DANCE FIGURE:

A: 1st and 2nd couples set and do a right-hand star all the way around (8 bars).

B: 3 couples promenade (8 bars).

C: 1st couple lead down and back to 2nd place to progress (4 bars), 2-hand turn partner (4 bars).


WALTZ FIGURE:

A: 1st couple swing right hands around one couple, then swing left (8 bars).

• 1st couple does a right-hand turn, casts around 2nd couple to progress (2s move up), and do a left-hand turn.

B: 1st couple swing corners (8 bars).

• 1st couple turns each other part-way by the right hand, then turns their right-hand corner by the left hand; meets partner and turns part-way by the right hand, and turns left-hand corner by the left hand.

C: 2-hand turn partner and lead through the top couple (8 bars).

Seems pretty straightforward. That's all for now - until next time where I will tackle the Regency turning waltz... Happy dancing!