Nothing beats the minuet when it comes to social dancing that is truly beautiful to watch. The minuet is a French variation of the Italian minuetto, and its name comes from the French word menuet, which means attractive, small, and delicate to the touch.
Because the dance involves two people creating a pretty picture with a series of graceful moves, the name menuet is an apt description of the minuet. Here’s a little background on the French minuet, as well as some of the reasons why it’s been so popular for centuries.
The minuet and its evolution during the 17th century can be seen in a variety of ways. As a social dance worthy of opera, highly refined minuets were created. By the turn of the century, the minuet had been transformed into a moving suite, which added to the dance’s popularity. While the French version of Baroque dancing was less busy and frenetic than the Italian version, the two shared a number of characteristics. In fact, the minuet is frequently categorized as a Baroque piece. The minuet, with its three/four tempo, was energetic enough to keep a loyal audience even as the popularity of Baroque styles began to wane.
The minuet began to adapt again in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a popular choice for high society dancing and events. The minuet was widely regarded as an ideal example of ballroom dancing, and its popularity spread to the United States, where it was readily embraced by those segments of the emerging American culture who sought to create a social milieu similar to that found in older European countries.
Ballroom dancing gained popularity among the working class during the early twentieth century. The minuet grew in popularity as more dance halls popped up across the country. Surprisingly, minuet dancing remained popular even after ballroom dancing fell out of favor. The minuet was often considered one of the essential dances, and dance schools would include dance technique instruction as part of the basic curriculum.
The minuet has remained a popular choice for graceful dancing in the twenty-first century. The look of the minuet in performance appeals to people of all ages. Each new season, the dance remains a favorite at social gatherings. The basic moves of the dance are still taught in dance schools, and young lovers still enjoy the intimacy of dancing the minuet. The minuet, which combines style, grace, and a gentle air of movement, will undoubtedly continue to draw devotees in the new millennium, as it has done since the 17th century.