Alexander

After watching Moon Water...

Oh, my - I have never seen anything like this in my life - just awesome and moving in many ways. And in these times poignant. 

What does happen when the music stops?

I enjoyed a lot of the movement in this piece; those velvety, sumptuous fondue transitions that had a quality of liquid (or stringy mozzarella) that seemed to ripple.

I wasn't quite sure of the narrative, if there was one, which sort of left a gap for me. Was I watching nature? Why can't we have more of the shaggy things? What was the meaning or do I have to create one by engaging with the dance in some way?

Oh, and those sumptuous ballet lines and forms... I couldn't get enough of those.

My first time watching a full length ballet. I really enjoyed it for the most part. I loved the comedy (spotting ballerinas in the background having a scrap or snatching hats) and nurse. 

I thought the dancers captured that teenage innocence and play moving to adulthood (and tragedy) really well and how lurching R&J into the affairs of adults (wear that dress, lassie, and marry) trampled over their discovery of love and play . Hernandez had a, care-free, dreamy quality I liked.

As a fencer the fight choreography sequences were interesting, bearing in mind this is dance and drama. So, the representation of the psychology of fight, the bravado and group dynamics worked well for me and also how a sword fight can develop from sword to dagger to grappling and even the hint of a throw. Well done for that, not expected!

Camera pulling out to show a foggy oval soup not so good. 

I definitely want a hat and lute so that I can follow my instructor at a distance and strum at important moments.

23 minutes ago, alison said:

I thought in particular the pas de deux between James Streeter and Tamara Rojo was stunning in its intensity.  Not a surprise, given these two great dance actors, but seeing it from close up only intensified the experience.  A shame that it came over so dark on my screen - hopefully with better ambient light it might have been more visible.  Do catch it before it goes off air - which I think is 8 pm tonight or thereabouts?

Someone pointed me to the Glastonbury performance to look at.

This was interesting but not as accessible to me as Broken Wings. More visceral overall and colder. Definitely choreography I want to understand and appreciate more.

Oooh, another snippet. I enjoy how those S. American tribal angular gestures and profiles inspired by art and  iconography transition into softer, flowing movements. Really interesting.

Yes, I think some of the dance language used may have escaped me but there were plenty of moments for me that were arresting and spectacular. I loved how the dancing and music was able to hold different things together at the same time, nobility and frailty, joy and sadness, the mundane and the magical, comedy and pain. And looking forward to Dust.

I'm new to ballet in middle life. I don't know much about it and only have a few weeks of trying it out (Baroque dance is more my thing, but only have a few years experience). Anyway, someone pointed me to ENB's watch party of Broken Wings this week. I'd thought I'd give it a go but wasn't sure what to expect.

But wow, I mean WOW!. Moving, comic, sad and sometimes disturbing - completely blown away by it and want to watch it again. But can't! Just very cool and gets me to want to explore more.

Thanks.. I feel an Easter weekend Android phone experience coming on..

I know, I know, probably an obvious answer to this but I am curious; what grade syllabus would be recommended for adult beginner-intermediate for barre and port de bras suitable for home practice.. 4, 5?

Home barre from DreamBeams (bit pricey, good quality) and 3/4 mirror from TK Maxx

Definitely possible, I only started dancing late in middle life!

Just some of my observations doing what I do; not judgements, rather choices I have made. Classical ballet seems to have a strong pedagogy tailored to exams and performance perhaps more so than social dancing. I like the discipline and work ethic ballet offers. It has a focus on certain things and techniques.

There are more relaxed options but I'm not sure with a ballet context. Historical dance (Scottish, Regency, Playford, Baroque etc) is perhaps more focused on the social aspet of dance with technical rigour more flexible from teacher to teacher. Different horses for courses? Me? I want both!

2 hours ago, Kate_N said:

Whose class did you do, Alexander?

 

Lisa Beaumont School of Ballet, adult class. Not generally advertised, as far as I know, but made welcome dispite my classical ballet inexperience and strange Baroque ways.

I'm particularly liking the exploration of fondu and port de bras, posture etc

A few technical issues but awesome, really, really good to be moving to music again. Way beyond my level but woah... do I feel more heightened after an hour doing barre work and porte de wotsits.

Thanks, er, not quite Baroque dance but Baroque music! 

One for the mods here and happy to remove post if not wanted?

Okay to start a post chatting about historical dance, mostly related to Baroque dance 1650 - 1750? Precursor to modern ballet (e.g. same feet positions) so may have some relevance? 

Webcam pointing in the general direction, mirror positioned, nice indoor barre assembled with pleasing wooden furniture for online adult class!! Now, ballet online etiquette, will I be allowed to position barre and camera just right when I work the other side.. I suspect not. I suspect any IT adjustments will be allegro. Hmmm...

Normally I'd prefer to brave cold train platforms to get to a class than practice alone for dance or fencing. Home ballet barre ordered - not stopping!! 

Sort of related to the probable impact of coronavirus (but I don't want to add this to the existing thread) on class availability.

What book and DVD recommendations do we have to encourage practice at home?

I want to dance a passacaille... its going to happen, one day.

Just an update and a thanks for all the suggestions.

I made it to an adult class on a Saturday morning with an RAD teacher... v good, I can feel lots of muscles complaining. Focus on technique and pacey.. wish I could do more but pleased I have somewhere local to drop in.

Thanks again to all here!

And men too! Wear can one get nice warm up pants with gathered ankle? Wear Moi Belem is one (and only?) example but, but.. black or navy? Need more attire for the menz!! 

28 minutes ago, Kate_N said:

Wonderful stuff

Yes, and my lack of turnout (lazy left foot) feeling all wrong... WAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Nice little Sarabande.