Song or Story

Krakoviak

Artist

John Supruniuk

Streaming Media

Files

Location

Richmond, ME

Rights and Access Note

Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication. For information about the process and fees for obtaining higher resolution scans or another file format, contact Special Collections.

Document Type

Song

Collector

Jeff McKeen

Date

1991

NA

2257

CD

2161

Abstract

"Krakoviak" is a tune named after a style of dance that originated in the area around Kraków in southern Poland (there the dance is called krakowiak). The tune heard here is one of many variants of the song to which the dance is performed.

Description

“Krakoviak” is a tune named after a style of dance that originated in the area around Kraków in southern Poland (there the dance is called krakowiak). The tune heard here is one of many variants of the song to which the dance is performed. Though it originated in Poland, the dance spread across almost all of Europe, from Russia (where it is known as krakoviak) to France (where it became known as cracovienne). The dance dates back to at least the 16th century, where it began as a folk dance, but was soon being published in songbooks. By the mid-nineteenth century, the song was a popular ballroom dance in much of Europe and was closely associated with the Polish struggle for independence during that era. Many now consider the krakowiak the “national dance” of Poland. At the same time, this dance style became popular among composers (such as Chopin) who transformed the tune. Originally a fast, lively, syncopated dance tune that featured two alternating parts, the tune and dance grew in scope and complexity with the addition of a third part (a contrasting middle section) and key changes. Along with this shift of the tune to concert halls, the dance lost its popularity as a “functional dance” among the low and higher classes. The dance became an “exhibition” or performance piece with colorful costumes. The dance and its accompanying tune remains popular in this form.

_{^{P1033: Easter Service at St. Alexander Nevsky, a Russian Orthodox Church, in Richmond, Maine.}}

_{P1036: Easter Service at St. Alexander Nevsky Church.}

References

For more information on this dance, visit the website of the Polish Music Center at the University of Southern California and read Maja Trochimczyk’s essay on the krakowiak.

Disciplines

Ethnomusicology | Folklore | Oral History

Recommended Citation

Supruniuk, John. 1991. “Krakoviak.” NA2257, CD2161.4. Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History, Raymond H. Fogler Special Collections Department, University of Maine.