I'm not at all "trying to pull a fast one." The Russian mazurka came to my mind immediately from all the readings I've done in Russian literature and music. So that's what I wrote in response to your post, even though my .45 Colts are the
Russian model of the S&W Schofield.
I'd agree that "ownership" of this dance originated from the ancient Polish
Mazur. I've read a traditional story that the Mazur dance "was inspired by the horses of the Polish cavalry racing across the steppes of Central Europe." (The steppes also play a huge role in Russian history and literature). That traditional music brought about a really fast-moving dance to an almost "punishing" driving 3/4-time music. I know about "punishing." I'm an accordionist, and my nationality is also Slavic. When I was younger, my Dad had a good friend who wrote original "kolos," folks songs very similar to the Polish Mazur or Russian Mazurka. I bought a number of these songs (still have the sheet music), and played them in my trio with my brother on guitar, and a drummer. After those dances, both us musicians along with the dancers were all sweating quite well! Sometimes it was almost "punishing!"
From my university Slavic Studies, I learned there were a number of Russian composers, who wrote mazurkas --- to name some: Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Glinka, Scriabin. During the height of the now-defunct Russian Empire, the mazurka was a dance often used/performed at the most elaborate gala balls of Russian high society.
Ah, along with the mazurka being prominently used in Russian music, it was also depicted in
many Russian novels and films. Leo Tolstoy wrote of it in both
War & Peace (a very long part of that novel), and in
Anna Karenina. The dance was prominently noted in
Fathers and Sons, a novel by Ivan Turgenev. During Russian balls in the early 1900s, it was danced beautifully by the Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, the second-to-last tsarina of the Russian empire.
I'm glad this dance, both in its word etymology and actual physical usage, has crossed-over different nationalities. It shares a rich heritage for many people from different countries like Poland, Germany, France, Russia and others.
These "Russian guns" sure are
fun to have.
And especially for me, to think of all the history & traditions they bring to mind.
PT7
Mags wrote:.
Trying to pull a fast one? That's Polish
. The revolvers are Russian.
PT7 wrote:Not a Russian ballet. Rather, a lively mazurka!!
Appreciate the comments on the pair...