French quadrille “on Russian themes”

This article examines the historical factors of the emergence and existence of French Quadrille to Russian dance melodies. The author traces the strict rules in performing French quadrille in high society, their gradual changes since it initial emergence in Russia until 1917. Analysis is conducted on the proliferation of French quadrille to the masses, its further development, and theatrical treatment of national quadrille after the revolution. Special attention given to the fact of the appearance of fashion for Russian costumes, dances and songs in the late XIX – early XX centuries at the balls. The author compares the patterns of French quadrille and country-dance with the patterns of folk quadrille. The examples of the published collections of Russian dances and French quadrilles “on Russian themes” are provided. The article traces and indicates the fact of the impact of French quadrille upon the emergence and formation of the entire genre of Russian mass dance, which remains to this day. The article also discusses the emergence of dance chastuska, its interaction with the folk quadrille, and the reason of its popularization. The conclusion is made that namely French quadrille “on Russian themes” and the patterns of country-dance affected the emergence and existence of folk quadrille virtually in all Russian regions.