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.
