From Petipa to Balanchine : classical revival and the modernization of ballet

In this rich interdisciplinary study Tim Scholl provides a provocative and timely re-evaluation of the development of ballet from the 1880s to the middle of the twentieth century. In the light of a thoughtful re-appraisal of dance classicism he locates the roots of modern ballet in the works of Marius Petipa, rather than in the much-celebrated choreographic experiements of Diaghilev's Ballet Russe . Not only is this the first book to present nineteenth- and twentieth-century ballet as a continuous rather than broken tradition, From Petipa to Balanchine places works such as Sleeping Beauty , Les Sylphides , Apollo and Jewells in their proper cultural and artistic context. The only English-language study to be based on the original Russian soures, this book will be essential reading for all dance scholars. Written in an engaging and elegant style it will also appeal to anyone interested in the history of ballet generally.

from Petipa To Balanchine Addresses An Important, Though Vastly Understudied Aspect Of Russian Modernism--the Importance Of The Art Of The Past. The Work More Specifically Discusses The Development Of A Classical Revival In Russian Ballet (1880 To The Middle Of The 20th Century) And Its Relation To The Early 20th-century Re-evaluation Of Classicism In Russian Art And Letters. The Work Provides A Cultural Context For The Developments And Innovations In Russian Dance In This Period, And Especially In The Choreography Of George Balanchine.

soviet Historians Are Largely Unfamiliar With Balanchine's Work While Western Dance Historians Fail To Understand Its Cultural Context. Tim Scholl's Book Fills A Void That Has Long Existed In Studies Of Both Russian Modernism And Russian Ballet. His Work Also Marks The First Attempt To Discuss 19th And 20th-century Russian Ballet Traditions As One Continuous Tradition.

scholl Focuses On The Major Works Of The Period, The Landmark Ballets That Influenced The Course Of Russian Ballet History. The Book Also Addresses Contemporaneous Movements In Russian Poetry And Visual Arts (especially Architecture) Which Are Relevant To The Development Of Ballet Modernism.

this Work Offers A New And Potentially Controversial View Of The History Of The Period As It Questions The Lasting Value Of The Choreography Created For The Celebrated Ballets Russes. It Suggests That A Return To The Classical Dance Academy Provided The Only Viable Solution To The Many Difficulties Faced By 20th-century Choreographers.

scholl Has Studied In Depth The Area Of Russian Dance, Specifically, The Late 19th And 20th Century. Drawing Upon Russian Language Materials, Scholl Places The Works Of Petipa And Balanchine--swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Apollo And jewels Among Them--in Their Proper Cultural And Artistic Contexts.

library Journal

this Is An Original And Potentially Controversial Study Of The Evolution Of Modern Ballet. Scholl (russian Studies, Oberlin Coll.) Constructs A Convincing Argument That The Choreography Of George Balanchine Was A 20th-century Response To The Innovations Of Marius Petipa Of 19th-century Russia. He Contradicts The Prevailing Interpretation That Modernism's Beginnings Lie In The Work Of Mikhail Fokine And Diaghilev's Ballet Russes. Balanchine Rejected Diaghilev's Formula For Synthesizing Dance, Music, And The Visual Arts, Choosing Instead To Return To A More Basic Format. Scholl's Thesis Is Formulated From Careful Reading Of Key Ballets (e.g., Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty, Apollo, And Jewels). Based On Extensive Research Of Dance And The Related Arts During This Period, This Book Offers Intelligent And Insightful Analyses In Sensitive, Clearly Written Prose. Highly Recommended For Serious Dance Collections.-joan Stahl, National Museum Of American Art, Washington, D.c.

BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 8 PREFACE......Page 9 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 12 1. RUSSIAN BALLET IN THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY......Page 13 2. SLEEPING BEAUTY: BALLET-FÉERIE AS GESAMTKUNSTWERK......Page 29 3. BALLET RUSE: THE DYING SWAN......Page 49 4. CRISIS IN THE ACADEMY: THE DEATH OF THE MAIDEN......Page 66 5. TWO APOLLOS......Page 74 6. BODIES AND BUILDINGS......Page 93 APPENDIX......Page 115 NOTES......Page 116 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 131 INDEX......Page 138 An engaging and provocative re-evaluation of ballet's development from the 1880s to the middle of the twentieth century.