Questions and Answers
What is another strand of modernism?
What are the characteristics of neo-classicism?
Order, restraint, formality, rationality, harmony, and balance.
Where did these ideas emerge?
In Classical Greece, espoused by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.
How was literature viewed during the Classical period?
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How do we still use these ideas today?
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Who was the most influential choreographer of the 19th century?
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What is the end of the 19th century referred to?
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What is Petipa's choreography referred to?
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What type of choreographer is Balanchine?
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Whose footsteps did Balanchine believe he was following?
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What did he not consider himself to be?
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How did Balanchine think of himself?
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What vocabulary was his work?
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What resulted from Balanchine's approach to dance?
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Where did Balanchine's career start?
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Where is Balanchine from?
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What is the American Ballet Company?
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What occurred after the American Ballet School closed?
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How to describe choreography?
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How did Balanchine look at subject matter?
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What was he attracted to?
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How did he want his work to be appreciated?
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How did Balanchine think of ballet?
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How are most of his works?
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What did Balanchine think of a man and a woman on stage?
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What was his philosophy in dance?
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What are examples of choreographies he did that were narrative?
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What is a summary of how he thinks?
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What did he think about movement style?
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What was Agon?
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Who did Balanchine prefer to choreograph on?
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Who is Suzanne Farrell?
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What is Balanchine credited for?
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How did ballet dancers look in the 19th century?
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What is another characteristic of his style?
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What is a third characteristic of his movement style?
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How did these characteristics become essential to his style?
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What is choreographic form?
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Give an example of Balanchine's choreographic form.
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As part of the curriculum of the American Ballet School, what did he start?
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What is another aspect of his choreographic form?
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What aspects do his choreographic form display?
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What is a third aspect of the choreographic form?
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How would he start choreography?
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How did he build choreography?
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How did he describe music?
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How many ballets did Balanchine and Stravinsky work on?
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How to speak about quality in movement?
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What is Balanchine recognized for?
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Study Notes
Modernism and Neo-classicism
- Neo-classicism is a significant strand of modernism that emerged in the 20th century, characterized by order, restraint, formality, rationality, harmony, and balance.
- The principles of neo-classicism trace back to Classical Greece, articulated by philosophers and writers like Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and Homer across various art forms.
Literature and the Classics
- Classic literature includes texts known as the Classics, such as The Iliad and The Odyssey, which exemplified elite literature that set standards of excellence.
- The concept of "classics" endures today, referring to works of high quality that have withstood the test of time.
Ballet and Petipa’s Influence
- Marius Petipa was the most influential choreographer of the 19th century, known for works like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.
- The late 19th century is recognized as the Classical period in ballet, with Petipa's choreography embodying classicism characterized by control, balance, and harmony.
Balanchine's Neo-classical Approach
- George Balanchine is noted as a Neo-classical choreographer, maintaining the characteristics of Classicism while evolving ballet.
- He considered himself an heir to Petipa's legacy, rather than a revolutionary like the modern dance pioneers.
Career Beginnings
- Balanchine's career started in 1924 when he joined Ballet Russes as a choreographer and later moved to New York in 1933 to direct the School of American Ballet.
- He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and trained at the Imperial Ballet School.
American Ballet Movement
- The American Ballet Company, linked to Balanchine's school, opened in 1934 but disbanded during World War II. In 1948, he founded the New York City Ballet, which continues to thrive.
Choreography Philosophy
- Balanchine viewed the subject matter of dance as the movement itself, focusing on the aesthetics of movement rather than emotional expression.
- His works are largely abstract and non-narrative, eschewing character development and drama.
Movement and Style Characteristics
- Signatures of Balanchine’s style include exaggerated body extensions, elongated movements, and rapid footwork.
- He incorporated elements from various dance genres, enhancing his choreography with flexed feet, wrists, and modern dance techniques.
Collaborations and Musicality
- Balanchine collaborated with composer Stravinsky on twelve ballets, with music serving as a foundational element for his choreographic structure.
- He began choreography with music, creating movement closely aligned with musical compositions, viewing music as "a floor for dancing."
Legacy and Impact
- Balanchine is celebrated as one of the most influential ballet choreographers, having created over 400 ballets and reshaped 20th-century ballet.
- His distinctive style includes geometric formations and an emphasis on visual appeal, often showcasing dancers in harmonic and symmetrical arrangements.
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Description
Test your knowledge on modernism and neo-classicism, key movements in literature and ballet from the 19th and 20th centuries. Explore the connections between classical literature and the principles of neo-classical art, alongside the influence of Marius Petipa in ballet.