dance discussion 1
yemadek1
Week7Part1NeoclassicalEraBallet.pptxNeoclassical Era Ballet (1900 -1980’s)
Neoclassical Ballet
Evolved in Russia and France in the early 1900’s
Use of abstract music and movement
Lack of storyline or plot – the movement is the primary focus
Choreography is a new interpretation of the classical style hence the term Neoclassical
Movements are fast, sharp, angular and very musical
More use of the torso
Social, Political, Economic changes in the early 1900’s spurred the movement
Neoclassical Ballet
Serge Diaghilev – (1872-1929) Sponsor of the arts established the Ballets Russes (1911)
1909: Diaghilev assembled a group of the leading Russian dancers of the Imperial Ballet to become the “Ballets Russes.”
Fled Communist Russia for Paris
Five major choreographers:
Michel Fokine, Vaslav Nijinsky,
Leonide Massine, Bronislava Nijinska,
and George Balanchine.
Neoclassical Ballet
Vaslav Nijinksy (1889 – 1950)
Danced in Fokine’s work in the Ballet Russes before taking over as choreographer
His choreography was different from Fokine – used parallel positions and gestures to evoke the images of Greek vase paintings
Rite of Spring (1913) set to music by Stravinksy – created a riot when it was first premiered
Neoclassical Ballet
Watch the Video: Rite of Spring
Start at 15:20 and watch to the end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo4sf2wT0wU
UncleWaldemar. “Rite of Spring - Joffrey Ballet 1987.” YouTube, YouTube, 20 May 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo4sf2wT0wU.
Neoclassical Ballet: George Balanchine
George Balanchine
founder of New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet
Russian raised in the Petipa tradition
Worked with Ballet Russe in Paris before emigrating to the USA
Choreography is a new interpretation of the classical style hence Neoclassical
Movements are fast, sharp, angular and very musical
Stravinsky and Balanchine were great collaborators
Agon Choreo:Balanchine/Music:Stravinsky
Neoclassical Ballet: George Balanchine
His influence on ballet focuses on:
Less courtly, more athletic dancing
Glamour
High-speed bravura
He felt that these ideals suited the American audiences
Influenced by modern dance and jazz
Uses syncopated movement
Uses movement that is turned-in and/or sharply angular positions
Neoclassical Ballet: George Balanchine
Variety of works created (over 400 works total)
In addition to works created for New York City ballet – he also created
Over 20 Broadway shows
Created dances for four movies
Created one circus number for Ringling Brothers
Created a number of revues in Paris and London
Balanchine preferred to create shorter works for the American Audience
Neoclassical Aesthetic
Use of simple costumes and sets
Focus on the lines and shapes of the movement itself
Neoclassical Ballet: George Balanchine
Video Link: Selections from Agon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8zVcHPnuM
ear8002. “Igor Stravinsky: Agon.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 Nov. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8zVcHPnuM.
