Video 4/4/12

            On April 4, 2012 we watched a video in dance.  The video included three different dances. These dances were all a little different, the choreographers used different styles and techniques. Also they were all during different time periods which also why they are different.

            The first dance was called “Petrovchka.” Michel Fokine choreographed this dance in 1911. The Paris Opera Ballet including the dancers, Thierry Magne, Monique Lourdieres, Jean Gurzerix and Alain Boregean, danced it.  The dance started off with a lot of people on the stage and the set was very colorful. The dance took place a carnival, and had different dancers doing moves that showed off their flexibility. Thedance was a majority of acting rather than dancing and it really told a story of a love triangle. “Petrovchka” is not your typical ballet it more upbeat and has a lot of other styles. My favorite part of this dance was the part with the three doll in the boxes. They did a very good job acting and dancing in that part, and actually looked like dolls.

            The next dance was “Monotones.” Frederick Ashton choreographed this dance in 1996. The Joeffery Ballet including the dancers Elizabeth Parkinson, Glenn Egerton and Tom Mossbrucker dances it. The trio danced in white full leotards, which really accented their movements and stands out with the dark lighting. Most of their movements were very abstract and unusual for most ballets. Also most of the movements show flexibility especially with the female dancer.  They did mostly stiff movements rather than flowy like most other ballet pieces, and they were really in synch. I really enjoyed the way they worked off of each other and the lifts they did with the two guys and one girl.

            The final dance was called “Sinfoniett.” Jiri Kylian choreographed this dance in 1978. This dance was danced by the Netherlands Dance Theater and composed by Jane Cek. This dance starts off with very strong music with only guys on stage. The movements are very strong including big jumps and turns. As the music changes the women are introduced into the dance. This dance is based off couples and partnering.  They include many lifts and other interaction with each other. It was interesting to see how the choreographer used different movement and shapes throughout the dance.

            I enjoyed watching these three dances and comparing and contrasting them. It is obvious the different time periods and the different locations that these dances were choreographed in make the dances the way they are.  

Guest Teacher

On March 21, 2012 we had a guest teacher, Jill. I enjoyed the experience of having a guest teacher because it was good to see other styles and techniques. She was very outgoing and helpful. I also enjoyed her warm up because I feel like i was fully warmed up after, and it focused on most of the body. Her teaching style was very good and I got a lot out of the class. I also appreciated her her corrections, and i will definitely use them in the future. Overall I felt like I got a lot out of the class.

Youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VhxpHgPTy
Entrechat is known the interweaving or braiding step. It is done by the dancer jumping and rapidly crossing their legs in front and behind each other. The beats can range from two to ten and each one has its own name. In the video the dancer does a entrechat duex with two beats, a entrechat quatre with four beats and entrechat six with six beats. In order to be able to to that many beats it is important that you start off with a plie in order to get as much height in the jump as possible. The higher the jump the more beats. This video shows how much technique has evolved over the years. While in history it was rare for someone to be able to do six or more beats this video shows the dancer easily doing six beats. Websites like youtube are very useful of dancers to see how moves are suppose to be done and what other dancers are learning.

Ballet Video

In the video we watched on February 20, 2012 show various choreography and different stories, also to how the choreography shows different stories. Also to see how the choreography formed different shapes to show symbolism.

In the dance “Emeralds” The majority of the movements were soft and smooth. Throughout the dance mirroring was used often, which added dimension to the piece. It was interesting to see how the choreographer used different formations to show symbols. For example when a majority of the dancers were in a “V” shape and one on the dancers broke through the middle almost as if she was breaking though a wall. Repetition was also used through this dance, also helping to portray a story.

Diamonds was also a dance that used mostly soft and smooth movements. Diamonds was a duet performed by Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins. This dance included many extensions and many lifts. As the music changed the dance reacted and would change the movements and style. The two dancers in this piece worked well together and made it easy for the audience to watch and understand the story.

The Final dance called “Stravinsky Violin Concerto” was performed by Kay Mazzo, Peter Martins, Karen Von Aroldingen and Bart Cook. This dance was extremely unusual compared to most other ballets. The music choice was also very different. This dance included sharp and abstract movements. “Stravinsky Violin Concerto” also included unusual shapes and formations. The choreography showed the talents of the dancers, such as there flexibility. One part of the dance the really stood out to me was the backbend sequence the one girl performed. I liked it because it was not like most other ballets and it showed her flexibility and strength.  Also this part shows how the choreographer liked to use accents in the music to choreograph his piece. As the music changed and became deeper more kicks and arebesques were done. While most ballet pieces include turned out legs and pointed feet, this dance went against that and had parallel legs and flexed feet. It was interesting to see how different this dance was compared to the previous dances and other ballet pieces

This video was informational and taught me how different ballets can be. It was interesting to see how the choreographer used different movements and shapes depending on the music. Also the dancers worked well by interacting with each other and portraying a story. 

Blog assignment 1

Glissade Dessus

-       translates to glissade over

-       travels to the side

-       led by back foot

-       finishes with the leading foot in front

Glissade Dessous

-       translates to glissade under

-       travels to the side

-       led by the front foot

-       finishes with the leading foot in the back

Glissade Devant

-       translates to glissade in front

-       travels to the side

-       led by front foot

-       finishes to the leading foot remaining in frony

Glissade Derriere-

-       translates to glissade in back

-       travels to the side

-       led by the back foot

-       finishes with the leading foot remaining in the back

Glissade en avant

-       translates to glissade forward

-       travels foawrd

-       led by front foot

-       finishes with the leading foot remaining in front

Glissade en arriere

-       translates to glissade backward

-       travels backwards

-       led by back foot

-       finishes with the leading foot reaming in back