A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Krakoviak
KRAKOVIAK, Cracoviak, or Cracovienne. A Polish dance, belonging to the district of Cracow. 'There are usually,' says an eye-witness, 'a great many couples—as many as in an English country dance. They shout while dancing, and occasionally the smart man of the party sings an impromptu couplet suited for the occasion—on birthdays, weddings, etc. The men also strike their heels together while dancing, which produces a metallic sound, as the heels are covered with iron.' The songs, which also share the name, are innumerable and, as is natural, deeply tinged with melancholy. Under the name of Cracovienne the dance was brought into the theatre about the year 1840, and was made famous by Fanny Elssler's performance. The following is the tune to which she danced it; but whether that is a real Krakoviak, or a mere imitation, the writer is unable to say:—
![{ \time 2/4 \key ees \major \partial 8 \relative b' { \repeat volta 2 { bes8 | d f aes c | bes g4-> g8 | bes8[ \times 2/3 { bes16 c bes] } aes8[ f] | e8 g4-> \times 2/3 { ees16 f ees } | d8 f aes c | bes g4-> g8 | bes8[ \times 2/3 { bes16 c bes] } aes8[ f] | f ees ees \mark \markup { \musicglyph #"scripts.ufermata" } } \repeat volta 2 { ees | aes c ees c | bes g4-> g8 | bes8[ \times 2/3 { bes16 c bes] } aes8[ f] | g ees4-> ees8 | aes c ees c | bes g4-> g8 | bes8[ \times 2/3 { bes16 c bes] } aes8[ f] | f ees ees } } }](http://upload.wikimedia.org/score/l/y/lyvl48ebb84j6imrzvm39xyik8ms76i/lyvl48eb.png)