Compare and Contrast of Classical Ballet and Modern Dance
Compare and Contrast of Classical Ballet and Modern Dance
Dance is one of the most beautiful, expressive forms of art known to mankind. It expresses joy, love, sorrow, anger, and the list truly goes on for all the possible emotions that it can convey. Dance not only can express how one feels, but it can tell a story or even be used to praise a higher power. Dance has intricately played an important role to every culture over the course of time. Two forms of dance that have not only stood against the test of time but have influenced the development of other various styles of dance is none other than Classical Ballet and Modern Dance. Classical Ballet is the epitome of class and sophistication, it is known for its meticulous techniques such as high extensions, Pointe work and the turn out of the legs, and also its graceful leaps and bounds and precise movements. Modern dance is ironically enough everything Classical Ballet is not, and it was purposely designed that way. Modern dance rejects the strict constraints of Classical Ballet, and boasted of free flowing movements, structure-less choreography, and just pure liberty to move to one’s emotions without all the decadence of elaborate costumes or scenery. Classical ballet and Modern dance are both unique in their core beliefs and structure, while they share the same vigor for the art of dance, they have quite a few differences that I would like to take the time in this essay to explore .
By the mid 19th century, the art of French ballet also known as Romantic ballet had lost its appeal to many. Ballet was regarded as a casual, frivolous entertainment due to the fact that it had lost its creative edge and the ties to “immoral” behavior from the female dancers. The end of the Romantic era was the new beginning for what we now know today as Classical ballet. In 1847 the Russian Ballet recruited French national Marius Petipa to be their choreographer in Saint Petersburg. Petipa is one of the most influential figures
Dance is one of the most beautiful, expressive forms of art known to mankind. It expresses joy, love, sorrow, anger, and the list truly goes on for all the possible emotions that it can convey. Dance not only can express how one feels, but it can tell a story or even be used to praise a higher power. Dance has intricately played an important role to every culture over the course of time. Two forms of dance that have not only stood against the test of time but have influenced the development of other various styles of dance is none other than Classical Ballet and Modern Dance. Classical Ballet is the epitome of class and sophistication, it is known for its meticulous techniques such as high extensions, Pointe work and the turn out of the legs, and also its graceful leaps and bounds and precise movements. Modern dance is ironically enough everything Classical Ballet is not, and it was purposely designed that way. Modern dance rejects the strict constraints of Classical Ballet, and boasted of free flowing movements, structure-less choreography, and just pure liberty to move to one’s emotions without all the decadence of elaborate costumes or scenery. Classical ballet and Modern dance are both unique in their core beliefs and structure, while they share the same vigor for the art of dance, they have quite a few differences that I would like to take the time in this essay to explore .
By the mid 19th century, the art of French ballet also known as Romantic ballet had lost its appeal to many. Ballet was regarded as a casual, frivolous entertainment due to the fact that it had lost its creative edge and the ties to “immoral” behavior from the female dancers. The end of the Romantic era was the new beginning for what we now know today as Classical ballet. In 1847 the Russian Ballet recruited French national Marius Petipa to be their choreographer in Saint Petersburg. Petipa is one of the most influential figures
Bibliography: "American Masters: Martha Graham, About the Dancer." PBS. PBS, 16 Sept. 2005. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. . Anderson, Jack. Ballet and Modern Dance: A Concise History. New Jersey: Horizons, 1992. Print. Frontier (1976)- with Introduction by Martha Graham. Perf. Martha Graham. YouTube. YouTube, 24 June 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. . Martha Graham- Finding the Meaning through Dancing. Perf. Martha Graham. YouTube. YouTube, 14 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. . Michelman, Fran. "Marius Petipa - ABT." Marius Petipa - ABT. Ballet Theatre Foundation, Inc, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. . The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers - Royal Ballet. Dir. Eliathestar. Perf. Royal Ballet. YouTube. YouTube, 23 Dec. 2010. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. . Odile Entrance & Black Swan Pas De Deux. YouTube. YouTube, 20 Jan. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. .