Ländler

Ländler (probably derived from "Landl", the main regions of Upper Austria), term for originally improvised traditional couple turning dance with many figures in slow ¾ time (sometimes 2/4 time), which includes singing, yodelling, clapping hands or stamping feet. First documentary mention around 1500 in the form of pictures; the Ländler was a common type of dance but was only called "dance" until around 1800. It influenced society dances of the 18^th century (Styrienne, Tyrolienne), art music ("German Dances") and the development of the Viennese waltz. Variants are Wickler, Steirischer and Almerischer, which are courtship dances with complicated arm and hand holds; there is a special variant in the Salzkammergut region which combines singing and the clapping of hands. The "Landler", in contrast to the Ländler, developed in the Hausruckviertel, Traunviertel and Innviertel regions in Upper Austria and is a group dance with strict rules and without courtship or acrobatic displays, but with various, complicated figures and part singing ("Zettellandler"). Schuhplattler in Tirol and parts of Salzburg.

Literature: E. Hamza, Der Ländler, 1957; R. Wolfram, Volkstanz, in: Österr. Volkskundeatlas, 5^th instalment, 1974; R. Witzmann, Der Ländler in Wien, 1976; K. Horak, Ländler, in: Volksmusik in Österreich, 1984.