Dances of Czechoslovakia (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781914311185)

Standing at the crossroads of Europe, the bridge between east and west, Czechoslovakia combines in its folk dances and traditions the colourful wildness of the east with the more sophisticated gaiety of the west. To the lover of traditional peasant art this country has long been a treasure-house of stored delight; for those who now perforce stay at home, the author of this book has distilled the essence of a lifetime's study in a work of rare charm.

The author, who was herself a dancer of some renown, takes the reader through the length and breadth of her country, from the Bohemian Forest, with its simple rhythms in a major key, to the wilder, more primitive dances of the eastern parts. After a fascinating introduction to the dances, dance-songs and folk life of this enchanting country, the author chooses four dances from different districts, and gives a detailed description of each, side-by-side with the music, which is specially arranged for easy playing. Four colour plates show the correct costumes for each dance.