"Success depends in very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work." –Anna Pavlova
Introduction
The early twentieth century was an exciting and dynamic time for ballet; the classical era had fallen, and Europe's greatest dancers had left for America thanks to the political instability of the time. This allowed the United States to claim its role in the history of ballet, and it gave ballet a chance to move in a completely different–and non traditional– direction. This period set the scene for what we call "ballet" today, and it provided modern companies with some of the most important performances in their repertoires.
Turn of the Century Ballet
The turn of the century marked the Russian revolution, which caused Russia's most important and talented dancers to leave the country. In doing so, many of them joined together in Paris, headed by Sergei Diaghilev, to create the Ballet Russes. Diaghilev teamed up with prominent classical composer Igor Stravinsky, and the two set out to create some of the most important ballets in today's repertoire. First, they focused on bringing their Russian heritage back to life by staging Firebird and Petrushka, which involved stories from Russian folklore. These were generally well-received. Although the topic and stories were new, the general themes and style of the ballet were familiar to audiences who were accustomed to the extravagance of Classical Petipa ballets.
Following these successes, Diaghilev hired Nijinksy to start choreographing in a completely new style. Nijinsky essentially threw traditional ballet technique out the door, and used movements resembling what we use in modern dance today (stomping, working in parallel, etc.). His first ballet of this kind was L'apres-midi d'une faune, or Afternoon of the Faun, which caused some sensation due to the explicit sexual nature of the movement. But the true gem of this era was The Rite of Spring. This ballet became one of the most important ballets ever created, due to the uproar and even riots that it caused (audiences found the human sacrifice, semi-nudity, and no-technique movement very upsetting). The score for the ballet, written by Stravinsky, is also considered that man's greatest musical work.
As ballet's trajectory began to change dramatically, an American dancer, Isadora Duncan, moved to Europe and began working on movement that was focused on improvisation. Duncan felt that technique was limiting, and she preferred to dance in a way that emulated the Classical tradition and the forces of nature. Her dancers moved freely, wearing nothing but sheer tunics, and often uses props such as scarves. Duncan set up several schools in Europe before World War I, and eventually brought her dancers back to the United States. Duncan set up the foundations for what would later become modern and contemporary dance.
Meanwhile, ballet began to pick up steam in the United States. Particularly, George Balanchine was responsible for creating its popularity in America. After leaving the Ballet Russes, he came to the States and, with the help of Lincoln Kirstein, he founded the School of American Ballet in 1933. Over time, Balanchine used this school to develop his own neo-classical technique and to develop dancers that he later funneled into his own company, the New York City Ballet. However, this did not happen until well into the 1950s. During this time, Balanchine created many of his most notable works, the most important of which is Serenade, set to music by Tchaikovsky.
Following these successes, Diaghilev hired Nijinksy to start choreographing in a completely new style. Nijinsky essentially threw traditional ballet technique out the door, and used movements resembling what we use in modern dance today (stomping, working in parallel, etc.). His first ballet of this kind was L'apres-midi d'une faune, or Afternoon of the Faun, which caused some sensation due to the explicit sexual nature of the movement. But the true gem of this era was The Rite of Spring. This ballet became one of the most important ballets ever created, due to the uproar and even riots that it caused (audiences found the human sacrifice, semi-nudity, and no-technique movement very upsetting). The score for the ballet, written by Stravinsky, is also considered that man's greatest musical work.
As ballet's trajectory began to change dramatically, an American dancer, Isadora Duncan, moved to Europe and began working on movement that was focused on improvisation. Duncan felt that technique was limiting, and she preferred to dance in a way that emulated the Classical tradition and the forces of nature. Her dancers moved freely, wearing nothing but sheer tunics, and often uses props such as scarves. Duncan set up several schools in Europe before World War I, and eventually brought her dancers back to the United States. Duncan set up the foundations for what would later become modern and contemporary dance.
Meanwhile, ballet began to pick up steam in the United States. Particularly, George Balanchine was responsible for creating its popularity in America. After leaving the Ballet Russes, he came to the States and, with the help of Lincoln Kirstein, he founded the School of American Ballet in 1933. Over time, Balanchine used this school to develop his own neo-classical technique and to develop dancers that he later funneled into his own company, the New York City Ballet. However, this did not happen until well into the 1950s. During this time, Balanchine created many of his most notable works, the most important of which is Serenade, set to music by Tchaikovsky.
Notable People
George Balanchine- dancer of the Ballet Russes; responsible for bringing ballet to America; established the School of American Ballet (SAB) and the New York City Ballet (NYCB); developed the neo-classical technique
Igor Stravinsky-Russian composer; worked closely with the Ballet Russes, and later with Balanchine, to create new, more modern ballets
Isadora Duncan- American dancer who established the foundations of modern dance
Sergei Diaghilev- created the Ballet Russes, saving Russia's best dancers at a time of political turmoil
Anna Pavlova- prima ballerina for the Ballet Russes; original dancer for some of the most popular ballets, including The Dying Swan
Igor Stravinsky-Russian composer; worked closely with the Ballet Russes, and later with Balanchine, to create new, more modern ballets
Isadora Duncan- American dancer who established the foundations of modern dance
Sergei Diaghilev- created the Ballet Russes, saving Russia's best dancers at a time of political turmoil
Anna Pavlova- prima ballerina for the Ballet Russes; original dancer for some of the most popular ballets, including The Dying Swan
Important Ballets
Firebird- Prince Ivan wanders through the forest and comes upon the realm of Koschei the Immortal, whose soul lives inside a magical egg. While on the hunt, he captures the Firebird, who, in exchange for her life, gives him a feather he can use to call her when he needs help. Prince Ivan gets into a fight with Koschei over a princess with whom Ivan is in love. Koschei sends evil minions after the prince, who calls on the Firebird to help save him. The Firebird forces the minions to dance the Infernal Dance, and makes Koschei and everyone else fall into a deep sleep. While they sleep, Ivan finds the egg containing Koschei's soul, and he destroys it.
Rite of Spring- The ballet is divided in two parts, and focuses each part on a special ritual of a more primitive society. The first is the Adoration of the Earth, in which young maidens dance to celebrate the earth. The second ritual is "The Sacrifice." Here, Fate chooses one of the maidens to be sacrificed, and she dances to her death.
The Dying Swan- a short, slow solo featuring a single swan moving gracefully across the stage, until her death at the end. See Anna Pavlova perform The Dying Swan.
Serenade- this ballet has no plot, but is instead focused on movement and exploring new techniques. See Ashley Bouder perform Serenade.
Rite of Spring- The ballet is divided in two parts, and focuses each part on a special ritual of a more primitive society. The first is the Adoration of the Earth, in which young maidens dance to celebrate the earth. The second ritual is "The Sacrifice." Here, Fate chooses one of the maidens to be sacrificed, and she dances to her death.
The Dying Swan- a short, slow solo featuring a single swan moving gracefully across the stage, until her death at the end. See Anna Pavlova perform The Dying Swan.
Serenade- this ballet has no plot, but is instead focused on movement and exploring new techniques. See Ashley Bouder perform Serenade.