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Moskauer Ballnacht 2010 - Ball report
The Moskauer Ball at the Rathaus is one of the more elegant Vienna balls. It serves to fulfill a 'princess fantasy' for the debutantes, all of whom came from Moscow. Certainly the weather set a proper tone, with temperatures plunging in the few days before the ball from near 15 to near 0.
Organizationally, this ball was top of the line. Before the ball, I was a bit worried that the will call booth would get swamped with three women inside, but only one line, but some innovative thinking led to the the extra woman inside taking care of some of the patrons in the line in parallel. Once past the ticket takers, guests turned immediately right to go up the first set of stairs, greeted by a gratis shot of vodka to warm the spirits on the way up to the coat check.
The few issues that came up last year were not in attendance this year, and there were no new issues either. In short, the ball was very well planned and executed, and the invited guests/performers were all top notch. Prior to the ball opening, guests without a table in the main ballroom are not allowed onto the main floor, and security was checking. However, one complete side of the main floor was available for guests to stand and to view the opening ceremonies. Once the ball started, all guests were free to roam the main ballroom.
The opening ceremonies started at around 9:15 to a few pieces by the band, followed by two ballet dancers. Subsequently, the approximately 30 debutante couples entered, including the Russian representative to the 2008 Miss Universe pagent. The thing I like most about the Moskauer opening, is that of all the openings in Vienna, it is the one where the opening couples walk the best. It might seem an insignificant thing to comment on, but the eye instantly picks up on it, and here they show just the right poise, attitude, and confidence. However, there is a significant issue to contend with, that evidently the debutantes can't all practise the opening until they arrive in Vienna, presumably since they are not all in the same location till arriving. As a result, there is no polonaise. The opening waltz is not the Vienna traditional left turning waltz, but rather a right turning one. While many in the Eroffnung Committee have a nice flowing right waltz
in keeping with their earlier entry walk, with a few of the debs, there was a significant clash on this front.
Through about 12:30, the songs the orchestra plays for general dancing are overwhelmingly waltzes. It is a pleasure to hear this orchestra again because not only do the play superbly, but many of the waltzes are not the ones you hear at the other balls, so you have both variation and quality. But do not imagine that it is nonstop waltzing because the general dancing is frequently interrupted by shows or activities. These include more ballet, a marching drum band, ballroom dancing exhibition, saxaphone soloist, and an accordion duo. This duo proved to be the most popular and packed the dance floor. While the shows were all first rate, the orchestra is already so excellent that I would happily hear it playing good dance music in lieu of one of the mini shows. After about 12:30, the crowd thins out and the dance music in the main hall becomes more varied, with the ball lasting till 4am.
Another positive aspect is that the prices seem to have decreased somewhat which is usually indicative of a ball going more mainstream. For example, dance only tickets dropped to 75 euros this year from 89 last year, student tickets were at about 40 euros both years, and a barebones table+ticket was 125 from 129. So I was somewhat surprised to be thinking that attendance was significantly lighter than last year, perhaps because this was after ball season proper? I asked several persons, however, who were also at the ball last year in different capacities, and all of them, to a man, thought that this year had about the same number of patrons. When I pointed out that the room with the delightful piano player (the Stadtsenatssitzungssaal) was almost gutted of people, they agreed but still thought attendance was about the same. Regardless of whose impression is correct, the Moskauer Ballnacht could certainly take a larger crowd and I think it would
enhance the atmosphere.
Organizationally, this ball was top of the line. Before the ball, I was a bit worried that the will call booth would get swamped with three women inside, but only one line, but some innovative thinking led to the the extra woman inside taking care of some of the patrons in the line in parallel. Once past the ticket takers, guests turned immediately right to go up the first set of stairs, greeted by a gratis shot of vodka to warm the spirits on the way up to the coat check.
The few issues that came up last year were not in attendance this year, and there were no new issues either. In short, the ball was very well planned and executed, and the invited guests/performers were all top notch. Prior to the ball opening, guests without a table in the main ballroom are not allowed onto the main floor, and security was checking. However, one complete side of the main floor was available for guests to stand and to view the opening ceremonies. Once the ball started, all guests were free to roam the main ballroom.
The opening ceremonies started at around 9:15 to a few pieces by the band, followed by two ballet dancers. Subsequently, the approximately 30 debutante couples entered, including the Russian representative to the 2008 Miss Universe pagent. The thing I like most about the Moskauer opening, is that of all the openings in Vienna, it is the one where the opening couples walk the best. It might seem an insignificant thing to comment on, but the eye instantly picks up on it, and here they show just the right poise, attitude, and confidence. However, there is a significant issue to contend with, that evidently the debutantes can't all practise the opening until they arrive in Vienna, presumably since they are not all in the same location till arriving. As a result, there is no polonaise. The opening waltz is not the Vienna traditional left turning waltz, but rather a right turning one. While many in the Eroffnung Committee have a nice flowing right waltz
in keeping with their earlier entry walk, with a few of the debs, there was a significant clash on this front.
Through about 12:30, the songs the orchestra plays for general dancing are overwhelmingly waltzes. It is a pleasure to hear this orchestra again because not only do the play superbly, but many of the waltzes are not the ones you hear at the other balls, so you have both variation and quality. But do not imagine that it is nonstop waltzing because the general dancing is frequently interrupted by shows or activities. These include more ballet, a marching drum band, ballroom dancing exhibition, saxaphone soloist, and an accordion duo. This duo proved to be the most popular and packed the dance floor. While the shows were all first rate, the orchestra is already so excellent that I would happily hear it playing good dance music in lieu of one of the mini shows. After about 12:30, the crowd thins out and the dance music in the main hall becomes more varied, with the ball lasting till 4am.
Another positive aspect is that the prices seem to have decreased somewhat which is usually indicative of a ball going more mainstream. For example, dance only tickets dropped to 75 euros this year from 89 last year, student tickets were at about 40 euros both years, and a barebones table+ticket was 125 from 129. So I was somewhat surprised to be thinking that attendance was significantly lighter than last year, perhaps because this was after ball season proper? I asked several persons, however, who were also at the ball last year in different capacities, and all of them, to a man, thought that this year had about the same number of patrons. When I pointed out that the room with the delightful piano player (the Stadtsenatssitzungssaal) was almost gutted of people, they agreed but still thought attendance was about the same. Regardless of whose impression is correct, the Moskauer Ballnacht could certainly take a larger crowd and I think it would
enhance the atmosphere.
In conclusion, the Moskauer Ballnacht is a delightful white tie affair that is superbly organized. There is excellent music in 3 different rooms and there are many shows in the main hall.