(Third in a series of seven posts on the 1856 dance L'Alliance. An introduction and explanation of the steps may be found in the first post in the series. Other figures: Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6)
Moving right along to the second figure of L'Alliance! Presumably the name refers to the Russian emperor Alexander II (left; click to enlarge), who succeeded Nicholas I on the imperial throne in the midst of the Crimean War.
Figure 2: L'Empereur
8b Introduction
4b First lady and second gentleman, both starting with right foot and facing each other throughout, circle sideways halfway around each other counter-clockwise, ending facing their original places (SCHop, SCHop, SCHop, SCLeap)
4b Same pair, both starting with left foot, still facing each other, circle sideways halfway around clockwise, ending on their original side of the set but close enough to take closed position (SCHop, SCHop, SCHop, SCLeap*) *Lady must end with SCHop
4b Same pair, taking closed position and dancing to the gentleman's right, passing between their inactive partners and out the side of the set:
2b forward "over elbows" (SCHop); turn half way clockwise, lady crossing in front of the gentleman (SCLeap)
2b forward (SCHop, SCLeap)
4b Same pair retraces their path with the same sequence of steps to end in the center of the set facing each other again and on their original side
2b forward "over elbows" (SCHop); turn half way clockwise, lady crossing in front of the gentleman (SCLeap)
2b forward, breaking apart at the end (SCHop, SCLeap*) *Lady must end with SCHop
4b Same pair, both starting on their right foot, facing throughout, circle sideways all the way around each other counter-clockwise (traveling more vigorously, since they must cover twice as much ground) and back to their original places to face their partners (SCHop, SCHop, SCHop, SCLeap*) *Gentleman must end with SCHop
4b Both couples take closed hold and Balancé out of the set (away from the other couple, "over elbows"), in, out, and in again, opening up to side by side at the end (SCLeap, SCLeap, SCLeap, SCLeap)
24b All of the above is repeated, led by the second lady and first gentleman.
Reconstruction & Performance Notes
The ending of Figure 2 features the first occurrence of Raab's Balancé sequence of four slide-cut-leap steps, as described in the introduction, traveling out/in/out/in.
Once again, Raab's understandng of "left turn" is non-standard; per the diagram, the couple turns halfway clockwise, which most people would call turning to the right. Raab's odd usage is consistent throughout L'Alliance.
There are several changes of foot in this figure, for both the active lady and the active gentleman.
Original language
Zweite Figur. L’Empereur.
Die erste Dame und der zweite Herr machen mit vier pas einen halben Kreis rechts. (Fig. 1) 4 Takte. Dieselben mit vier pas einen halben Kreis links, und kommen in die Mitte der Kolonne sich vis-à-vis zu stehen, so dass Jedes mit dem Rücken gegen seinen ersten Platz steht. (Fig. 2) 4 Takte. Dieselben halten sich wie beim Walzer und machen einen Polka-Mazur-pas nach der rechten Seite des Herrn, sodann eine halbe Wendung links, und abermals zwei pas nach der linken Seite des Herrn. (Fig. 3) 4 Takte. Dieselben einen Polka-Mazur-pas nach der rechten Seite des Herrn, sodann eine halbe Wendung links und abermals zwei pas nach der linken Seite des Herrn. (Fig. 4) 4 Takte; dann Beide einen Halbkreis rechte mit vier pas auf ihre Plätze. (Fig. 5) 4 Takte; sodann jeder Herr mit seiner Dame Balancé. (Fig. 6) 4 Takte.
Die zweite Dame und der erste Herr machen mit vier pas einen halben Kreis rechte. 4 Takte. Dieselben mit vier pas einen halben Kreis links und kommen in der Mitte der Kolonne sich vis-à-vis zu stehen, so dass Jedes mit dem Rücken gegen seinen ersten Platz steht. 4 Takte. Dieselben halten sich wie beim Walzer und machen einen Polka-Mazur-pas nach der rechten Seite des Herrn, sodann eine halbe Wendung links und abermals zwei pas nach der linken Seite des Herrn. 4 Takte. Dieselben einen Polka-Mazur-pas nach der rechten Seite des Herrn, sodann eine halbe Wendung links und abermals zwei pas nach der linken Seite des Herrn. 4 Takte. Dann Beide im Halbkreis rechts mit vier pas auf ihre Plätze, 4 Takte; sodann jeder Herr mit seiner Dame Balancé. 4 Takte.
English Translation
Second Figure. L'Empereur.
The first lady and second man make a half circle right with four pas. (Figure 1) 4 measures. The same [lady and man] with four pas [make] a half circle left, and come to stand in the middle of the column vis-à-vis with each other, so that each stands with the back to their first place. (Figure 2) 4 measures. The same [lady and man] hold themselves as in the waltz and make a Polka-Mazur pas to the right side of the man, then a half turn left, and again two pas to the left side of the man. (Figure 3) 4 measures. The same [lady and man] a Polka-Mazur pas to the right side of the man, then a half turn left and again two pas to the left side of the man. (Figure 4) 4 measures. Then both [make] a half circle right with four pas to their places. (Figure 5) 4 measures. Then each man with his lady Balancé. (Figure 6) 4 measures.
The second lady and the first man make a half circle right with four pas. 4 measures. The same [lady and man] with four pas [make] a half circle left, and come to stand in the middle of the column to stand themselves vis-à-vis with each other, so that each stands with the back to their first place. 4 measures. The same [lady and man] hold themselves as in the waltz and make a Polka-Mazur pas to the right side of the man, then a half turn left, and again two pas to the left side of the man. 4 measures. The same [lady and man] a Polka-Mazur pas to the right side of the man, then a half turn left and again two pas to the left side of the man. 4 measures. Then both [make] a half circle right with four pas to their places. 4 measures. Then each man with his lady Balancé. 4 measures.
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