Modern Dance (World of Dance (Chelsea House Hardcover))

Looks at modern dance, discussing the history, styles, famous dancers, and prominent choreographers.

Modern dance was a movement that began at the turn of the twentieth century when American dancers Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncon, and Ruth St. Denis broke from formal dance traditions with their own personal vision of movements. Soon, their visions evolved through Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, who would all go on to teach their methods and present modern dance as a serious art form. Avant-garde choreographers, including Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor, stripped dance down to the essence of movements itself, while Alwin Nikolais, Alvin Ailey, and Twyla Tharp incorporated unconventional influences and elements to create a diverse and unique tapestry of dance. In Modern Dance, Second Edition, read about the innovators who shaped this dance form.

The updated World of Dance set explores various genres of dance, including forms indigenous to particular regions and cultures as well as more popular, contemporary styles. Each book gives readers an in-depth historical overview and cultural context for the development of various dances as well as technical insight into each dance's movements and background about the people who developed and popularized the moves. Full-color images, chronologies, and further resources provide readers with a wealth of information.

Modern dance was a movement that began at the turn of the 20th century when American dancers Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, and Ruth St. Denis broke from formal dance traditions with their own personal vision of movement. Soon, their visions evolved through Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, who would all go on to teach their methods and present modern dance as a serious art form. Avant-garde choreographers, including Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor, stripped dance down to the essence of movement itself, while Alwin Nikolais, Alvin Ailey, and Twyla Tharp incorporated unconventional influences and elements to create a diverse and unique tapestry of dance. In Modern Dance, Second Edition, students can read about the innovators who shaped this dance form Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 7 Foreword......Page 9 The Precursors......Page 14 Denishawn......Page 28 The Founding Modern-Dance Generation......Page 40 The Reformers and Post-Modern Dance......Page 52 Fusion......Page 69 Choosing a Modern Dance Class......Page 86 Chronology......Page 94 Notes......Page 97 Glossary......Page 100 Bibliography......Page 103 Further Resources......Page 106 Picture Credits......Page 112 Index......Page 113 Cover; Contents; Introduction; Foreword; 1: The Precursors; 2: Denishawn; 3: The Founding Modern-Dance Generation; 4: The Reformers and Post-Modern Dance; 5: Fusion; 6: Choosing a Modern Dance Class; Chronology; Notes; Glossary; Bibliography; Further Resources; Picture Credits; Index; About the Author and Consulting Editor. Offers a brief introduction to modern dance, tracing its history, profiling key dancers and choreographers, explaining some of its key moves, and including tips on choosing a class Presents a history of modern dance highlighting choreographers and dance styles