Dark Elegies: A Masterpiece
Antony Tudor choreographed and wrote the libretto for Dark Elegies. The world premiere took place in 1937. It was held as part of the Ballet Rambert, in the Duchess Theatre, London on February 19th. In addition to Tudor, there were many other influential members involved in creating this dance work. Gustav Mahler composed the five songs that make up the score and Friedrich Ruckert wrote all of the lyrics. Nadia Benois created scenery and costumes, while Jean Rosenthal designed the lighting (ABT). For this assignment I viewed the ballet in its entirety online. The New York Theatre Ballet danced the production I viewed. It was taped at the Florence Gould Hall in 2013 (Video). Antony Tudor came from a time where …show more content…
I enjoy being able to connect my readings and viewing to my class information. Upon reading, I found it especially intriguing that Tudor was so enthused to break barriers and try something new: “The emphasis in ballet was still on fairies, sylphs, and glorious processions” (Topaz – 66). The author mentions choreographers such as Massine who focused on them majestic characters and fairy tale like themes. Tudor was more interested in what was real. Grief is real. Humans experience loss, detriment, and sorrow. Tudor wanted to show humanity through movement, “The soloist in the first song, a women explored her sadness in leaps, small forward and backward rocking steps, and undulating gestures for the arms” (Topaz – 67). I especially enjoyed that the movement was created for the purpose to tell a story. The dancers did not need to put much emotion on their face because their bodies and presence alone were already telling the stories.
Dark Elegies Is recognized all over as an extremely influential piece. Many people consider it to be Tudor’s greatest work; even Tudor himself has noted it as his favorite ballet (Antony Tudor - Ballets). After researching this specific ballet I could not be more excited that our school will have the opportunity to perform this dance
Antony Tudor choreographed and wrote the libretto for Dark Elegies. The world premiere took place in 1937. It was held as part of the Ballet Rambert, in the Duchess Theatre, London on February 19th. In addition to Tudor, there were many other influential members involved in creating this dance work. Gustav Mahler composed the five songs that make up the score and Friedrich Ruckert wrote all of the lyrics. Nadia Benois created scenery and costumes, while Jean Rosenthal designed the lighting (ABT). For this assignment I viewed the ballet in its entirety online. The New York Theatre Ballet danced the production I viewed. It was taped at the Florence Gould Hall in 2013 (Video). Antony Tudor came from a time where …show more content…
I enjoy being able to connect my readings and viewing to my class information. Upon reading, I found it especially intriguing that Tudor was so enthused to break barriers and try something new: “The emphasis in ballet was still on fairies, sylphs, and glorious processions” (Topaz – 66). The author mentions choreographers such as Massine who focused on them majestic characters and fairy tale like themes. Tudor was more interested in what was real. Grief is real. Humans experience loss, detriment, and sorrow. Tudor wanted to show humanity through movement, “The soloist in the first song, a women explored her sadness in leaps, small forward and backward rocking steps, and undulating gestures for the arms” (Topaz – 67). I especially enjoyed that the movement was created for the purpose to tell a story. The dancers did not need to put much emotion on their face because their bodies and presence alone were already telling the stories.
Dark Elegies Is recognized all over as an extremely influential piece. Many people consider it to be Tudor’s greatest work; even Tudor himself has noted it as his favorite ballet (Antony Tudor - Ballets). After researching this specific ballet I could not be more excited that our school will have the opportunity to perform this dance