An art such as dance began to develop at the dawn of humanity. Primitive tribes had their own special ritual dances, which were an important part of their traditions and existence. Their descendants, who began to build the first states, turned these gestures into part of the sovereign symbols. Thus, the first types of dances appeared, which to a greater extent testified to the origin of man, his roots. Today people dance everywhere, and their movements are no longer limited by any boundaries determined by the state. Well, let's take a closer look at what types of dances exist in certain parts of the planet and how they become popular all over the world.
What is dance
This term refers to a type of art in which artistic images are conveyed through plastic and rhythmic body movements. Any dance is inextricably linked with a certain music that suits its style. During this “ritual”, certain positions of the person’s body, the figures that he can show, and transitions from one pose to another are very important. Considering what types of dances there are in our time, it is easy to assume that there are simply countless numbers of such figures and movements. That is why they are divided into categories, which largely depend on the place of origin of a particular dance, as well as on its other features (pairs, group, single, etc.).
The history of the origins of dance art
Even during the existence of primitive tribes, the earliest types of dances arose. They were given names depending on the emotions they accompanied. For example, a tribe might try to bring rain after a long drought, and for this purpose a special ritual was composed, during which people moved in a certain way. Through rhythmic body movements, they thanked their gods, welcomed the birth of children and saw off their deceased ancestors. As an art form, dance was founded in the period of antiquity. At this time, special choreographic performances dedicated to the gods began to appear in Greece and Rome. At the same time, the very first oriental types of dances developed in Babylon, Assyria, the Persian kingdom and other Asian countries. In the Middle Ages, this art found itself beyond the line of legality due to the spiritual views of mankind. But with the advent of the Renaissance, it began to develop and improve again. In the 16th century, a type of choreography called ballet appeared, which soon became a separate species art.
Classics and its variations
Professional dancers, learning this art from an early age, initially master classical dances. Their types depend on which program is taken as a basis - European or Latin. These two subgroups are united by good old classical choreography, which has much in common with ballet. The bottom line is that rehearsals take place precisely to classical music, the dancers perform stretches, study positions, plie, pique and other choreographic techniques. In the future, the quality of the dance will depend precisely on the purity and correctness of all these movements.
European program
- Slow waltz. This is a golden dance classic, which is always accompanied by appropriate music in three quarters. For each beat, dancers take three steps, with the first being the main one, the second determining the angle of rotation, and the third being an auxiliary one, allowing the weight to be transferred to the other leg.
- Tango. It was originally an Argentine folk dance, but later became incredibly popular all over the world and moved into the category of European classics. Its essence lies in the fact that two partners move energetically and rhythmically to the appropriate music (it is also called tango).
- Viennese Waltz. This is a kind of analogy to a simple waltz, only it is danced a little faster and more energetically.
- Foxtrot. This is a fast and vibrant dance that is performed both in pairs and in groups. It was invented by Harry Fox (hence the name) in the early 20th century, and its popularity has not waned since then.
- Quickstep. This is the fastest dance from the European classics. It is performed in 4/4 rhythm, and there are as many as 50 bars per minute. It takes years of practice and grueling training to dance the foxtrot properly. It is important that all movements look easy, relaxed, and performed with incredible precision.
Latin American program
Will be listed here popular types dances that today often go beyond the classics. Based on them, a wide variety of variations are created to simplify the choreography and make these dances accessible to everyone.
- Samba. A Brazilian dance that arose from the fusion of African and Portuguese traditions. It is danced in 2/4 time signature, with up to 54 bars per minute. IN classic version performed to the beat of drums or other Latin percussion instruments.
- Cha-cha-cha. Characterized by much slower choreography. The time signature is 4/4, there are 30 bars per minute. The dance is most popular in Cuba, where it originated in the 20s last century. Today it is included in the classical dance program.
- Rumba. The slowest and most intimate dance, which is always performed in pairs. Accuracy is not important here, as in other types of choreography. It is only important that the partners’ poses are very beautiful, that they form unique figures, and at the same time, each of their movements should be as flexible as possible.
- Paso Doble. This dance has its roots in Spanish bullfighting. Here the partner often portrays a bullfighter, and his partner - a cloak. The essence of the choreography is the double step (hence the name).
- Jive. African-American choreography, which also arose in the 20th century and became widespread in the United States. Jive is danced in swing mode, but at the same time it is very different from its modern analogue of the same name. Time signature - 4/4, number of beats per minute - 44.
Ballet
All currently existing types of dance are based on ballet to one degree or another. This art officially separated from general choreography in the 17th century, when the first French ballet school. What are the features of ballet? Here the choreography is inextricably linked with the music and facial expressions of the performers. As a rule, each production has a specific script, which is why it is often called a mini-play. True, in some cases there are also “unscripted” ballets, where dancers simply demonstrate their incomparable and precise skills. Ballet is divided into three categories: romantic, classical and modern. The first is always a mini-play on a love theme ("Romeo and Juliet", "Carmen", etc.). The classic one can personify any plot (for example, “The Nutcracker”), but its important element is choreography based on acrobatics and excellent plasticity. In frames modern ballet includes different types of dances. There are elements of jive, Latin choreography, and classical music. Distinctive feature is that everyone dances in pointe shoes.
Modern choreography
Nowadays, modern types of dances are popular all over the world, regardless of traditions and religion. Their names are known to everyone, and at the same time almost everyone can learn to perform them. Such body movements do not require special stretching, preparation or natural plasticity. The main thing is to join the rhythm and become one with the music. Let us immediately note that all the dances that will be listed below are the basis for the so-called “club choreography”. These movements are quickly learned and mixed by modern youth, resulting in a unique mix that can be seen in any nightclub in any city in the world.
Modern dance
- Tectonic. It arose in the 21st century on the basis of jumpstyle, hip-hop, popping, techno style, etc. Always dancing to fast electronic music.
- Strip dance. This is the basis of any striptease, in other words, a dance that may involve further undressing. The essence lies in plastic movements, and also often in interaction with other objects. This is how the famous pool dance, lap dance, etc. were born.
- Go-go. Erotic dance that does not involve undressing. Aimed at entertaining the crowd in the club. May contain any plastic elements that will correspond to the playing music.
- Hakka. A dance that originated in the Netherlands, in hardcore circles. His movements are based on music in this style.
- Jumpstyle. The dance, based on jumping, is one of the few modern ones that is danced in pairs. But at the same time, it has a peculiarity - partners should not touch each other.
- D'n'B Step. This is exclusively an attribute of the drum and bass style. Choreography always depends on the rhythm and tempo of the music.
- Shuffle. The dance originated in Australia and is based on jazz. All movements, in particular the steps characteristic of this style, are performed to electronic fast music at a faster tempo.
Based on the plot of the movie “Step Up”...
After the first part of this wonderful film was released, young people actively began to study all kinds of street dances, which are characterized by freestyle and at the same time incredible plasticity and precision of movements. Let us list their main types, which have already become “street classics”:
- Hip-hop. It's whole cultural direction, which originated in the 70s in New York among representatives of the working class. It covers not only unique choreography, but also slang, fashion, behavior and other areas of life. Within the hip-hop culture, there are a wide variety of dance types, more or less difficult to perform. This includes breaking, DJing, MCing, club hip-hop and much more.
- Breakdancing, also called b-boying. Initially, it was part of hip-hop culture, and then, due to its uniqueness, it became a separate dance.
- Crip Walk. A dance that originated in Los Angeles. Characterized by steps that are performed in the spirit of improvisation, at a very fast pace.
- Popping. The dance is based on the rapid contraction and relaxation of muscles, due to which the human body shudders. It is important to observe certain positions and postures in which such movements look most impressive.
In the spirit of folk traditions
In each state, in addition to the flag and anthem, there is another, no less important attribute - dance. Each nation is characterized by its own movements, its own rhythms and tempos, which have developed historically. Based on the characteristics of the choreography, you can easily determine what nationality a person is and what country he represents. Such performances are performed mainly in a group, but there are some exceptions when only two partners perform. Now we will look at the types of folk dances that are the most popular all over the world. By the way, some of them became the basis of classical choreography, and some served as an excellent start for the development of street dancing.
Dances of the peoples of the world
- Attan is the official folk dance of Afghanistan. Also performed by many neighboring peoples in various variations.
- Hopak - dance of the peoples of Ukraine. Always performed in national costumes, in a very fast and energetic rhythm. It is characterized by jogging, squats, jumping and other active body movements.
- Trepak is a native Russian dance, which is also common in Ukraine. It is always performed in a bipartite meter, and is accompanied by fractional steps and stamping.
- Zika is a famous Chechen dance performed exclusively by men. As a rule, it is an accompanying element for important religious events.
- Krakowiak is the most famous Polish dance. Performed in a fast rhythm, always with a straight back.
- Round dance. A dance-game that was previously popular among many nations. The rules are different everywhere, but the point is that people take part in the round dance. huge amount people.
- Lezginka is the most famous choreographic performance in the Caucasus. It is danced by Chechens, Armenians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis and many other peoples.
Types of oriental dances
In the east, the art of dance had a completely different development than in the countries of Europe and America. Men here always performed group mini-performances that accompanied some important events. A woman's dance is a kind of sacrament. A wife can dance only for her husband, and alone. This choreographic culture has been widespread for centuries throughout Western Asia, but in each country it has its own characteristics. Therefore, now we will look at what types of dances exist in this or that Eastern state and how they are characteristic.
- Turkish. They are always performed in bright costumes, accompanied by fast music. They are characterized by rhythmic movements, very high plasticity and even acrobatics.
- Egyptian. This is the most modest oriental choreography. The costumes are restrained, as are the movements, and the music is slow and measured. There is no place for frivolous body movements in Egyptian dances - this is considered debauchery.
- Arabic. This is real scope for improvisation and variation. If you know what types of dances there are in the East and how they are performed, you can put all the techniques and techniques together, and you will get an excellent performance in the Arabic style.
- Lebanese. The most unique and unusual. They combine elements of Turkish and Egyptian choreography. Therefore, fast and rhythmic movements alternate with slow and measured ones. The action is also characterized by the use of foreign objects (cymbals, canes, etc.).
- Persian dance consists of graceful movements that mainly involve the arms, head and long hair.
How did belly dancing come about?
Almost all women in the world dream of mastering this choreographic style, but only a few master it perfectly. Many attribute its origins to the Middle East, but in fact the dance originated in India. Even before the birth of Christ, this custom was transferred from their homeland by the gypsies to Egypt, where it became popular. They began to emerge there various types belly dancing, which soon spread throughout the Middle East. Well, let's look at which of them are now the most famous:
- Dance with the snake. It requires a combination of flexibility and courage, as well as the ability to handle this animal.
- Dance with fire. During the performance, torches, candles, lamps with essential oils and much more can be used that glorifies the cult of fire.
- Dance with cymbals. This hand percussion instrument is a relative of the Spanish castanets. Performing rhythmic movements, the dancer accompanies herself.
- Raqs el-Sharqi is a belly dance that involves the area from the navel to the hips.
- Raqs el-Shamadam is a performance in which a woman dances with a candelabra on her head. Very popular in Egypt.
Types of sports dances
Sports dancing is a kind of analogue of classical ballroom choreography. The difference is that dancers are trained according to a more strict and intensive program, with special emphasis on stretching, precision of movements, and speed of their execution. An important component of any sports dance is not the beauty of the performance, but the technicality of performing all the movements. In general, this subgroup consists of choreographic productions known to us, among which there are standard European and Latin programs.
Conclusion
We looked at what types of dances exist in different countries, decided on their styles and features. As it turned out, each choreographic production has its own tempo, rhythm, and character of execution. Also, many dances cannot exist without facial expressions, certain costumes, style and even the mood of those who perform them. Therefore, if you are going to master this art, it is important to initially decide which style you like to dance in, and which of them is most suitable for you in terms of capabilities and even the structural features of your figure. And in the future, for self-improvement, you will only need diligence and practice. Go for it!
In the 20s of the 20th century, the Charleston dance became especially popular. It is believed that Charleston has African-American roots and is from the city of Charleston (South Carolina). Whether this is so is unknown for certain. The rhythm of this dance was so fiery that the whole world began to dance the Charleston. The dance did not catch on immediately, many of its movements were even considered indecent, but over time it gained enormous popularity, in 1926. director Ernest Lubitsch, who directed the film This Is Paris, included a grandiose number in it - “Un ballo in maschera”, where 2,500 participants danced the Charleston.
Modern
In the 30s A wave of new dances is emerging on the American continent and in Europe. One of them is the Lindi Hop. This ballroom dance with bounces got its name in honor of the famous aviator Lindbergh, who was the first to fly across the Atlantic. Under the influence of jazz, Lindy hop gradually turned into swing, and temperamental black melodies marked the beginning of boogie wuggie. In America, this dance was more often called the Jitterbag, in the British Isles - jive. Now we know this dance as rock and roll. The jitterbug itself, combining the movements of the Lindy Hop and the Charleston, gave rise to the emergence of disco as a dance style.
In the early 50s, rock and roll fever broke out in the world. In 1954 The films “Rock Around the Clock” and “Seed of Violence” with the participation of Bill Haley were shown on European screens, which contributed to the growth of the popularity of the dance. By the early 60s, the first wave of rock and roll had died down. The time has come for twist, shake, beat and other dances. The return of dance began in 1968, and was associated with the work of the Beatles. Since 1974 -1975, rock and roll has been considered one of the fashionable dances and is now called modern sports dance.
In the 70s Disco dance is gaining popularity. The appearance of electronic instruments could not but affect the nature of the music and the manner of performance. A real disco boom was caused by the film released in 1977. movie "Saturday Night Fever". In it, John Travolta dances disco with all the elements characteristic of that time. In the movie "Glory" in the 80s, fifteen hundred people danced disco in the street. In our country, the great popularity of the disco style was facilitated by the performances of the GDR television ballet “Friedrichstadt Palace”. Today, disco movements are used by almost all pop and modern dance performers.
The richer and more diverse music became with the advent of new electric musical instruments, the more different musical trends arose, and with them different dance styles.
In the late 80s and early 90s, with the advent of video, certain styles gained popularity. The work of Michael Jackson, who was then known as the king of pop music and the king of dance, gave rise to a new type of performance - “a la Jackson”. His most famous videos from the albums “Thriller”, “Bad”, used disco, break, hip-hop movements.
The popularity of Latin American dances gave rise to such popular dances as the Lambada and the Macarena. Incendiary melodies with a characteristic manner of performance gave birth to a certain set of movements, which became very popular dances - Lambada and Macarena.
Break dance and Hip-hop styles. The dance, which is very similar to breaking, was known during slavery. In New Orleans they called it Kongo square dance. He received this name from the name of the square - Kongo square, where slaves once gathered. There they not only communicated and relaxed, but also competed in the art of dance. There were slaves different nationalities: Africans, Latin Americans, etc. The division into “teams” based on ethnicity gave particular urgency to the competition. Elements of acrobatics in dance are found among many nations. The break contains elements of African dances, fragments of Brazilian martial art slaves - “capoeira”, and much more.
The history of the break itself began in 1962. in the South Bronx. The founder is considered to be DJ Cool Herk. He came to the Bronx from Jamaica and brought with him the best traditions of Kingston street dancing. He came up with it in 1969. the term "B-Whoa" is from the abbreviation "break boy", which means "guy, break dancing" From the crowd of dancers, the best of the best dancers came out onto the stage and showed their skills. The so-called “break fights”.
Around the same time, in 1969. DJ Africa Bambaata coined the term “Hip-hop” as a designation for an entire culture younger generation. He included not only dance, but also the art of reading text to music (rap) and graffiti (painting on walls with spray paint).
In the late 60s, breaking existed in the form of two dance styles: New York acrobatic style (bottom or breaking) and Los Angeles mime style (top or "electric boogie"). With changes in musical trends, break dancing techniques change and become more complex. In the 80s Films about break and hip-hop are being released: “Wild Style”, “Style Wars”, “Beat street”, “Graffiti Rock”. A year later, the San Francisco Ballet Theater opened the season with a gala concert of 46 breakers. Hundreds of breakers danced at the closing ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics.
Breaking came to Russia in the late 80s - the films “How to Become a Star”, “Courier”, etc. Break dancing festivals were held in Sochi, in the Moscow region, etc. Then the fashion for breaking subsided. In 1995 - 1997 Breaking has become fashionable again: more energetic, full of acrobatic and power elements, fast gaits and jumps. International battles - team competitions - began to appear.
Hot top-techno, translated from English slang, is a hot movement technique. The style appeared in the 70s and early 80s. Formed under the influence of modern jazz and other schools. It is a street dance style that includes elements of disco, flash, and street jazz. (Bonnie M, Afrique Simon, Milli Vanilli, etc.)
If you look closely at modern styles and dancers’ techniques, you can easily see in them movements that have analogues in folk dance. Each style, during its formation, absorbed the peculiarity that is characteristic of the national environment or the nationality of the performer.
It cannot be said that all dance styles have already been fully formed. Every performer, choreographer, director brings something to them all the time. The popularity of the dance is ensured by the performance of a large number of groups and individual dancers. Professional and street dancers had a huge influence on the formation of many styles. Contemporary dance is not only fashionable dance, but also street dance.
Modern dance is synonymous with the expression “popular dance”, “pop dance”. Contemporary dance can be pop, but pop dance is not always modern.
The term “pop dance” is a product of secular art history and reflects, first of all, the place where the performer enters. That is, not a theater stage, but a variety show venue or concert hall. The concept of “pop dance” also includes stylizations of folk dances, sports dancing, demi-classical, dances in the styles of everyday choreography, step, currently on the stage we see quite a lot of productions performed using the means of jazz dance or modern dance. Thus, the concept of “pop dance” unites quite a lot of directions. choreographic art. However, at present, many universities and institutes of culture and art have departments of “pop” dance. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about this terminological confusion.
To summarize, there are currently 4 main SYSTEMS of dance; classical dance, modern jazz dance, modern dance and folk dance. These are those areas of dance that have their own history, their own school, their own system of training performers, their own vocabulary.
At the same time, directions exist and develop dance art. These include ballroom dance, step dance, flamenco, social or everyday dance.
However, in recent years there are more and more mixed dance technicians, which unite all major systems. Choreographers in their productions try to find, first of all, something new and unusual, regardless of lexical affiliation. A choreographer thinks with movement, and since professional choreographers master many dance techniques, the process of borrowing and combining is inevitable. And in recent years, a term has emerged - CONTEMPORARY DANCE, a dance direction that cannot be attributed to any style or system. And this natural process integration.
LITERATURE:
1. “Dancing” by Lucy Smith, Moscow “Astel” 2001
2. “Fundamentals of modern dance” S.S. Polyatkov, Rostov-on-Don “Phoenix” 2006
3. “Modern jazz dance. Stages of development. Method. Technique" V.Yu. Nikitin.
4. “A Line Going to Infinity: Subjective Notes on Modern
choreography" Yu.M. Churko, Mn.: Polymya, 1999. 224 p.
1900s
Matchish
Matchish performed by Vernon and Irene Castle. 1915
This is a fragment of an untitled silent film in which matchish is danced by famous American actors and dancers Vernon and Irene Castle. The music featured in the video is a match called "Dengoso" by Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth, recorded in the United States around the same time the film was filmed.
Matchis (Port. maxixe) was born in a Brazilian province in the late 1860s. The partners moved with a quick sliding step, twirled and hugged every now and then - with the partner pressing his partner’s back to him. For that sedate era, a dance based on Afro-Latin rhythms seemed fiery, “voluptuous.” On turn of XIX-XX centuries, matchish became popular in Rio de Janeiro, and on the eve of the First World War, a song in the rhythm of matchish was already played by all mechanical pianos in American saloons and European cafes. The fashion has reached Russia - Vladimir Mayakovsky wrote:
And so
Today
in the morning
into the soul
hit the match's lips.
I walked around twitching
arms spread out,
and everywhere pipes danced across the roofs,
and each threw out 44 with her knees!
Harbingers of modern dance
Loie Fuller performs the Serpentine dance. 1902
The history of modern dance usually begins with the American modern dance. But it was preceded by the work of four independent dancers, each of whom remained in history as a forerunner of modernity. Their main goal was to prove that choreography can be a serious art form, and dance is not just a show. The most famous of them, Isadora Duncan, believed that dance should develop naturally, in accordance with the individuality of the performer - it is enough to listen to your body and its impulses. This became known as free dancing. Her older colleague Loie Fuller, who came up with dozens of ways to make light and color an important part of choreography, had a serious influence on the development of not only dance, but also stage graphics. Ruth St. Denis opened Denishawn in the United States, the first school to systematically teach different types movements, from ballet to yoga. Almost all future modern dance masters are Denishawn graduates. In addition, her students were willingly taken on as extras in Hollywood films, and some, such as Louise Brooks, became silent film stars. The fourth harbinger is Maud Allan, whose Salome was a shock to the public of the time. In general, quite little is known about her style; the press of that time paid much more attention to the scandalous stories associated with her - for example, when she sued an English politician who accused her of homosexuality and connections with German spies.
1910s
Tango
Rudolph Valentino and Beatriz Dominguez dance tango in Rex Ingram's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 1921
The film is silent and the music played here is the tango "La Cumparsita", written in 1916 by Uruguayan composer Gerardo Rodriguez.
Tango was born in the working-class areas of Buenos Aires; one of its sources was the habanera, a Cuban folk dance. Tango quickly conquered the whole world. Not last role this was played by the connection between passion and violence, which was fully manifested in the “cruel” tango, or apache tango, where the macho partner bent and threw his lady as if he wanted to finish her off. Before the First World War, tango was tamed and ennobled in bourgeois salons, but it retained its eroticism, the image of barely restrained desire, “fire in ice.”
Tangomania has taken over Europe so much that the Pope issued a special bull banning tango. Nevertheless, the fame of tango grew - in no small part thanks to silent cinema, in which the beautiful tanguero Rudolph Valentino shone.
Expressionist dance
"Monument to the Dead" directed by Mary Wigman. 1929
In parallel with America, dance also developed in Europe, but according to a different scenario. The movement, which emerged in Switzerland and Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, is called expressionist dance (Ausdruckstanz) or German modern. Dancers and choreographers, along with other philosophers and artists, were looking for ways to express a new perception of the world and new meanings through movement and interaction with space. Composer Emile Jacques-Dalcroz came up with rhythm: in solfeggio classes, he discovered that his students learned the material better if they moved with the music, and began to develop a system that correlated rhythm and movement. Rudolf Laban analyzed the movement of the body in space and invented a way to record dance on paper, which is still used today (it’s called Labanotation). His students, Mary Wigman (creator of dance rituals like “Song and Dance” to the words of Nietzsche) and Kurt Jooss, developed expressionist dance, turning to the difficult post-war everyday life, themes of death, violence, despair.
1920s
Foxtrot
Video about the foxtrot, edited by dance historian Walter Nelson from archival recordings of the 1920s and 30s
There are several versions of the origin of the foxtrot. According to one of them, it was invented by vaudeville producer Charles Fox - and the dance is named in his honor. According to another version, the foxtrot (English fox trot - “fox step”) belongs to the group of so-called animal dances, which appeared in America before the First World War. These are fun couple dances that were performed to ragtime (the music of African-Americans from the southern states and the Midwest), imitating the movements of animals and birds (for example, there were the “Turkey Step” and “Bunny Hug” dances) , “Grizzly Bear”, etc.).
The foxtrot is based on a simple step forward, backward or to the side. Two “long” or “slow” steps are replaced by two short and fast ones. Therefore, the foxtrot is sometimes considered a combination of a slow one-step with a fast two-step.
In the 1920s, the foxtrot became popular throughout the world, moving to Europe and Russia - for example, the poet Andrei Bely learned the foxtrot in dance classes in Berlin in the early 1920s.
Modern dance
“Aria on the G String” by August Wilhelmy with choreography by Doris Humphrey. 1934
Starting from the creativity of the forerunners, the creators of modernism were looking for a dance language in which they could speak not only about feelings and natural phenomena, but also about serious issues that troubled the author and his contemporaries - about love, war , injustice, powerlessness.
The founders of modern dance are called four choreographers, the so-called Great Four. Three of them were graduates of the Ruth St. Denis Denis Shawn school, but by the late 1920s they were already working independently. And very successfully. The most famous of them is Martha Graham. She created her own technique, which is based on the alternation of compression and relaxation (“contraction - release”), freeing the dancer’s body, opened the most successful modern dance troupe in the 20th century and became the author of more than a hundred productions. The second, Do-rice Humphrey, developed a fall-recovery technique based on the principles of gravity and the natural heaviness of the body. Humphrey worked with the third member of the Great Four, Charles Wademan. Hanya Holm is a student of Mary Wigman and the only German in this company; She ended up in America in 1931, when Wigman invited her to head her school in New York.
1930s
Lindy Hop
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers dance the Lindy Hop in John Klein's Take the Blow. 1939
Lindy hop is the most complex form of swing, and swing (from the English swing - “swing”) - common name dancing to North American jazz, which appeared thanks to the emergence of large jazz orchestras: their playing was more full-bodied than the playing of small jazz bands, and literally “rock-wa-la” the dancers. This is exactly the orchestra that played, for example, at the Savoy Ballroom, the dance heart of Harlem.
Lindy hop is the first social dance, in which acrobatic elements appeared. Like other dances to ragtime and jazz, it was quickly noticed by Broadway and Hollywood producers. Teams of musicians and dancers were formed (one of the most famous is Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers), who performed on stage and acted in films. So Lindy Hop, born in Harlem, set off to travel the world.
Neoclassical ballet
"Serenade" performed by the New York City Ballet. Choreography by George Balanchine, music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Classical ballet reached its apogee in Marius Petipa's production of The Sleeping Beauty in 1890: it was no longer possible to create something larger and more luxurious. Mikhail Fokine set a new direction for classical ballet, turning to a small form and abolishing the plot (as in “Chopinian” of 1907). The next step was taken by Fyodor Lopukhov with his plotless dance symphony “The Greatness of the Universe.” Young Georgy Balan-chivadze took part in this performance. A few years later he found himself in the West, became Balanchine on the advice of Diaghilev, and then, in 1933, moved to America, where he created a movement that eventually came to be called neoclassical ballet. However, if you read European researchers, they call another emigrant from Soviet Russia- Serge Lifar. They both worked with vocabulary classical ballet, simplified costumes and decorations, gravitated towards small forms and the absence of plot, so, perhaps, it is not so important which of them was the first, especially since their careers in the West developed simultaneously. Another thing is important: neoclassical ballet is one of the most powerful movements of the 20th century. Both Maurice Bejart and Roland Petit sometimes staged this style, but William Forsythe and Wayne McGregor played a truly serious role in its promotion in the 21st century.
1940s
Samba
Carmen Miranda performs the song "Kai-kai" in Irving Cummings' film That Night in Rio. 1941
Brazilian rhythms have conquered the world more than once: at the beginning of the 20th century it was matchish, and in the early 1940s it was samba.
The music and dance culture of former slaves from West Africa in Brazil was quite early integrated into the dominant Catholic culture. In practice, this meant that West African deities were replaced by Christian saints, and religious processions turned into a colorful multicultural carnival. Samba was born out of a traditional ritual in which people (mostly women) fell into a trance, as if possessed by spirits. The dance first appeared in carnival processes in 1917 and quickly became a mandatory part of the celebrations in Rio. Competitions for this dance took place in special sambadromes the size of a good stadium. The dance achieved worldwide popularity thanks to the singer, actress and dancer Carmen Miranda (1909-1955), who was called the “Brazilian bombshell”. Born in Portugal, she moved to Brazil at an early age, and since 1939 she lived in the USA, performed on Broadway and acted in Hollywood. Her films, such as That Night in Rio (1941), Weekend in Havana (1941) and All the Gang (1943), became an outlet for people during the war.
Samba is danced to a syncopated 4/4 rhythm with steps back and forth and swinging, swaying movements.
Merce Cunningham
"Beach Birds for Video Camera" performed by Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Choreography by Merce Cunningham, music by John Cage, video adaptation by Elliot Kaplan. 1993
Merce Cunningham is often called a modernist or a postmodernist, but rather he escaped from one and inspired the other, and he himself remained a separate figure in the history of American dance.
Cunningham began dancing in Martha Graham's troupe, but after six years of work he hated both Graham's technique and her concept of movement - and already in the 1940s he left her and created his own company, where the main administrative work was carried out by his partner, composer John Cage. From Cage, Cunningham borrowed the principle of randomness, or aleatorics: for example, Cage’s dice determined the order of periods in piece of music, and in Kanning-gem - the order of the dance scenes and which of the performers will dance which part. This principle fully corresponded to Cunningham’s idea of the need to destroy habitual patterns and abandon natural and learned movements. At the end of his life, Cunningham became interested in computer technology - he began to create choreography not in the hall, but in the Life Forms and DanceForms programs, and then invited his artists to implement it on stage.
Cunningham believed that on stage all forms of art should coexist on equal terms, and not be subordinate to one - dance. He worked with avant-garde artists: the music was written by Cage, the costumes were often designed by Warhol, and the set design was by Robert Rauschenberg. At the same time, everyone worked without knowing what the other was doing. Everything came together for the first time in the presence of the public. Even the artists often learned which movements and in what order they would perform just a few minutes before the premiere, and heard the music for the first time only on stage.
At first, Cunningham's troupe gave one performance a year. Of course, this did not bring in enough money. Then friends and like-minded people came to the rescue - for example, Rauschenberg could quickly organize an exhibition, sell all the paintings, and give the money to the development of the troupe.
1950s
Rock and roll
Rock and roll from the Fred F. Sears film “Don’t Knock the Rock.” 1956
After the war, a whole galaxy of musicians appeared playing something like accelerated blues. But the first recordings were not yet called rock and roll, but were considered an outgrowth of rhythm and blues, which in conservative America was strongly associated with the music of African Americans. According to popular belief, the word “rock and roll” in this sense was first used by radio presenter Alan Freed to play songs by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Jerry on the air, including for a white audience. Lee Lewis (ironically, in African-American slang, “rock and roll” was called sex).
Under new music danced using all the movements of swing dances, but more energetically and with a larger share improvisation. Hollywood movies“Rock Around the Clock”, “Don’t Knock the Rock” and “The Girl Can’t Help It” (all released in 1956) finally turned the post-war generation into the rock’n’roll generation. Neither Europe nor the USSR could resist the driving rhythms: even Igor Moiseev’s ensemble danced rock and roll - however, in the form of a parody of “bourgeois morals” and under the ironic name “Back to the Monkey.”
Maurice Bejart and Belgian choreographers
"The Rite of Spring" directed by Maurice Bejart. 1959
Maurice Béjart is the most important figure for both ballet and modern dance. He worked in France, Belgium and Switzerland and, despite all the closedness of the USSR, collaborated with Maya Plisetskaya, Ekaterina Maksimova and Vladimir Vasilev. He lived in Belgium for 30 years, starting in 1959, when, desperate to wait for recognition and help from the French authorities, Bejart accepted the invitation of the director of the Théâtre de la Monnaie to create ballet troupe in Brussels. His first premiere at the new location was “The Rite of Spring,” now legendary.
We can say that thanks to Maurice Bejart, modern dance arose in Belgium: in 1970, he created the interdisciplinary school of choreography “Mudra” in Brussels, where they taught classical ballet, music, singing, martial arts, and acting. Its graduate Anne Teresa de Kers-macker became one of the most powerful contemporary Belgian choreographers, and in 1995 she opened another iconic school, P.A.R.T.S. (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios). In P.A.R.T.S. They also train “synthetic” artists, adding to the “Mudra” set the repertoire of choreographers of the 20th century - from William Forsythe to Pina Bausch.
Today Belgium is one of the centers of modern dance, whose troupes and schools dream of artists from all over the world. At the same time, there is no Belgian school of dance as such - each choreographer has his own style. For example, Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker studies the relationship between music and choreography, as well as the geometric patterns of dance; Wim Vandekeybus brings dance to film, occupying a leading position in the world of film dance; Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui combines Eastern and Western cultures in his works.
1960s
Twist
T whist to the song "Let's Twist Again" performed by Chubby Checker
The Twist began to be danced at the very end of the 1950s, but after 19-year-old African-American Chubby Checker (real name Ernest Evans) performed the song “The Twist” with the group American Bandstand in 1960, America literally went crazy ( this phenomenon - the instant and short-term popularity of dance - was even given the name dance craze), and behind it the whole world. Three years later, Checker consolidated his success with the single “Let’s Twist Again.”
Twist completes a long evolution club dancing who gradually moved from dancing in close contact with a partner to individual dancing. Even in rock and roll, a couple held hands (even if only touching each other with their fingertips), but in a twist, a partner is, in principle, no longer necessary. And, most importantly, the dance was unusually simple to perform: you need to make a movement with your supporting leg, as if you were crushing a cigarette butt with the sole; the other leg swings. The hips are included in the movement, and the hands work as if rubbing the back with a towel after a shower. Among other things, these movements do not require much space: the twist could be danced both in your own bedroom and in a cramped nightclub.
Postmodern dance
"Water Motor" by Trisha Brown. 1978
Unlike many other phenomena in art, postmodern dance has a birth date. It's July 6, 1962, the day the Judson Memorial Baptist Church hosted a "Dance Concert ()" in which Robert Dunn's composition class students showed their work, created over two years of classes. They called themselves postmodernists, thus renouncing the hated modern dance, which, in their opinion, replaced the old rules with new ones, instead of abandoning them altogether. The famous “No Manifesto,” written by one of the most prominent representatives of this movement, Yvonne Rainer, talks about liberation: you don’t have to dance for the audience, you don’t have to learn and be able to dance to express your feelings, you don’t have to play princesses or heroes, there is no need to dance to tell stories. Live with yourself, here and now. Dance in the park, react with dance to what is happening around you, experiment.
1970s
Hustle
Video for "The Hustle" by Van McCoy. 1970s
The musical and dance style of disco (from the English disc - “vinyl plate”) developed in the late 1960s - early 1970s, when clubs began to play live music instead of jazz bands and rock bands. twist the plates. Nightclub in Paris, on Rue Huchette, where a whole library of discs was collected, it became known as the “Discotheque”. The disco style incorporated many different influences: jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, Latin, so as a result, everyone could find something to their liking. The generation of singles, “atomized individuals,” could not help but like the fact that disco can be danced without physical contact and that the dancer is given complete freedom of action. The musicians who created the style are Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Van McCoy, the Bee Gees.
Van McCoy's disco hit "The Hustle" gave rise to the dance of the same name (which, however, is usually danced in pairs). Hustle incorporates Latin American rhythms and its rhythmic structure is similar to two-step or Lindy hop - dances in which two steps are taken for each beat. The basic structure of steps is complemented by improvised movements, which makes any dancing couple unique, unlike others.
Pina Bausch
"Cafe Müller" directed by Pina Bausch. 1980s
Pina Bausch is probably the most famous choreographer XX century. She was Kurt Jooss's student and then a soloist with his Folkwang Ballet. There she began to independently invent choreography for herself (according to her, she did not intend to become a choreographer, but she wanted to dance more), and in 1969 she became the artistic director of the theater. In 1973, she was invited to head the ballet troupe opera house in Wuppertal, and soon the troupe became a separate dance company - the Wuppertal Tanztheater. Dance theater is a genre invented by Kurt Jooss, in which ballet, opera, and drama are mixed on stage. In Pina Bausch's performances, an artist can dance, and a minute later pick up an accordion and sing. Or light a cigarette and start talking about your childhood. Often Pina asked her artists to think about something and show their story at the next rehearsal. She could put together a whole performance from such scraps.
The Rite of Spring, a ballet that she staged at the very beginning of the company’s existence (usually choreographers come to it only at the peak of their career), brought fame to Pina Bausch’s Dance Theater. Her version explores the collision between man and society: in the scene of sacrifice, the Chosen One, unlike the classical version, is not ready to give her life for the sake of the fertility of the earth, but fights to the last for her right to have a voice. Of course, the public could not help but be impressed by one of the scenographic solutions: the Dance Theater actors dance literally smeared in the ground.
In 2011, Wim Wenders released the film Pina, which made her the most famous contemporary dance choreographer today.
1980s
Hip-hop
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force with the song “Planet Rock”. 1982
In the 1970s, DJs began not only to play records on turntables, but to use turntables to create music (for example, repeating some musical fragments from disks). Radio DJs appeared; a new one sounded, electronic music. In New York, in the South Bronx, the first style of hip-hop arose - breakdancing. This athletic dance would combine flowing footwork with acrobatic spins on the head, back and arms. To these were added intermittent robot-like movements of freezing (from the English freeze - “freeze-freeze”) and locking, as well as smoother popping movements - as if passing through different parts of the body electric current. Following the b-boys (Crazy Legs, Prince Ken Swift, Orko), b-girls appeared (one of the first was Japanese-born Masami).
In the 1980s, along with popular rap, the so-called old school hip-hop came to dance floors - more inclusive, with more emphasis on footwork rather than acrobatics; New characters emerge: robocop, roger rabbit, running man.
New French dance and non-dance
“The Annunciation” by Angelin Preljocaj. 1996
In France, modern dance appeared very late: the influence of classical ballet was too powerful. Until the 1970s, non-classical dance was practiced almost secretly, in gyms, after regular work. In 1968, student strikes rocked Europe, forcing a re-examination of some values in art, and modern dance was suddenly able to appear on the real stage. And in the 1980-90s, the so-called dance decentralization began in France: professional dance centers were created throughout the country, headed by young choreographers: Dominique Bague, Angelin Preljocaj, Magi Marin, Joseph Nadge and others. The goal of this cultural policy was to eliminate the division between provincial and metropolitan art, which is considered more professional.
In addition, in the 1980-90s, another direction grew out of the new French dance, which is often called the French analogy of American postmodernism - the so-called non-dance (or non-danse). Almost all of its representatives (primarily Jerome Bel, Boris Charmatz, Xavier Le Roy) are students or students of students of the creators of the new French dance, who have an excellent choreographic base, but dance for them is no longer the main means of artistic expression: they are moving away move away from choreography, using dramatic acting and improvisation, singing and stand-up, video projections and computer graphics in their performances and performances.
1990s
Lambada and Macarena
"Lambada" performed by the group Kaoma. 1989
1989, when the Berlin Wall fell and began to show cracks Soviet Union, turned out to be colored by the sounds of lambada performed by the group Kaoma. This latin dance- a direct descendant of matchish: the same fast pace, equally, if not more erotic movements. Like “Brazilian tango,” lambada came from Rio. And its melody, like a matchish melody, was quickly played until the teeth set on edge.
A similar story happened in the mid-1990s with the Macarena. First, the Spanish pop duo Los del Río performed a song about a girl named Macarena (Magdalena). Written in musical rhythm with the clave typical of frantic Afro-Cuban music, the song became an instant hit. And not only the song: in the video, a simple dance was performed with a set of movements, ideally suited for everyone to perform them together in the cramped space of a disco.
Gaga
"Deca Dance" choreographed by Ohad Naharin. 2000
The Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv was opened by Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild back in 1964, but it became a real center of modern dance in the 1990s, when it was headed by Ohad Naharin. Naharin is probably the most influential contemporary choreographer, with whom both ballet and modern dancers, and his works are in everyone largest theaters peace.
Ohad Naharin created his own choreographic language, which is called gaga. According to the choreographer himself, gaga is not a style of choreography, but a way of movement. Gaga practices in a hall without mirrors (although mirrors are usually necessary for the world of dance as an element of self-control), outsiders are not allowed into the practice itself, and the teacher dances, merging with his students. There are classes “Gaga/Dancers”, where professionals study, and “Gaga/People”, where you can come with any dance training. The gaga's task is to feel his body, to feel every molecule of his body, to be simultaneously in his body and outside of it, without losing self-irony. This is one of the most popular techniques today.
So we have smoothly arrived at almost modern times - the 20th century, a time when the wheel of progress spun at breakneck speed, and humanity, in scientific and technological terms, made an incredible leap forward (maybe back?). If at the beginning of the 20th century people rode in carriages, then at the end the era of computer civilization had already begun. Why, during the 20th century alone, the rate of scientific and technological progress exceeded the rate of progress in the entire previous history of mankind combined, and this is no joke. The rapid development of civilization was not even prevented by two world wars and a bunch of very different (and often sad) ups and downs, all sorts of bloody revolutions (in particular the Bolshevik coup in Russia), mass genocides (Hitler’s Holocaust, Stalin’s famines, the communist regime of Pol Pot in Cambodia, and etc.) But nevertheless, the life and way of life of people during the twentieth century has changed dramatically. But one thing has remained unchanged at all times - people’s craving for happiness, joy, self-expression, and this has always been served by the great art of music and dance, which in the 20th century flourished magnificently, a huge bunch of different music and dance styles appeared.
Tango is a beautiful Argentine dance that originated in the 19th century in distant Argentina, and immediately became the favorite dance of all passionate Latin Americans (and Latin women). And already at the beginning of the 20th century, the first tango show took place in Paris, then in London, then in New York, and literally in an instant the dance spread throughout the world, becoming simply insanely popular in both Europe and America. Numerous ensembles are created here and there, they write and play music for tango, and the period from the 1930s to the 1950s can generally be called the “golden era of tango.” A huge variety of very different substyles of this dance arise: Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango, ballroom tango, and a bunch of others. Tango remains popular in our time, especially in my native Lviv, a lot of young people (particularly young at heart) love to dance this dance, and tango parties are held right under open air, further emphasizing the unique charm of ancient (and bohemian) Lviv.
And this is salsa - another popular Latin American dance of the 20th century. Salsa arose back in the 20s under the sunny Cuban sun and very quickly became a common dance of all decent Puerto Ricans. In the 60-70s, thanks to Peuro-Rican and Latin American emigrants, salsa was actively spreading in the United States, and then throughout the world. It also has many different directions: rumba, cha-cha-cha, bocacha, mambo, and others.
And finally, my favorite dance of the 20th century is rock and roll. This driving American dance appeared in the 50s of the last century and immediately won the hearts of millions of young people around the world. In general, rock and roll is primarily music, not dance, but is it possible not to dance to such incendiary and driving music? So I say that it is impossible, therefore, with the advent of incendiary rock and roll music, no less incendiary rock and roll dances immediately appeared, and the slogan “sex, drugs and rock-n-roll” became almost the motto of an entire generation . (Although I would take the drugs from there). The first famous king of rock and roll was His Majesty Elvis Presley, and already in the 60s, the “Fab Four” The Beatles thundered throughout the world with the trumpet voices of rock and roll.
In general, in the 20th century there were many more different dances, here you have hip-hop, and contemporary, and rumba, and lambada, and a bunch of other things, but there’s apparently no point in describing them all. In conclusion, I can only say one thing - it doesn’t matter at all what we dance, the main thing is that we dance it sincerely, with all our soul, with all our hearts, because dance is not just entertainment, dance is our life...
Since ancient times, dance has been an important part of ceremonies, rituals and holidays. However, practically no information about ancient dances and their descriptions have survived to this day. Today, not many ancient dances are known, each of which most interesting story. True, these dances are currently on the verge of extinction.
1. Dancing with the Dead
Madagascar
Residents of the island of Madagascar perform a unique ritual, “dancing with the dead,” once every seven years. During this ceremony, accompanied by live music, they open the crypts containing the remains of their relatives, take them out and wrap the dead in new, clean cloth.
A treat is prepared from the sacrificed animals. Then joyful dancing begins with the dead in their arms.
2. Dance of St. Vitus
Germany
Dance mania, an inexplicable phenomenon of the Middle Ages of the 14th-17th centuries, known as the dances of St. Vitus, is one of the earliest described forms of “mass insanity.” Tens, hundreds of people in an unconscious state could dance until they were completely exhausted for days and weeks until they collapsed.
The first outbreak of this mania was noted in 1374 in the city of Aachen, subsequently spreading throughout Europe.
3. Whirling Dervishes
Türkiye
Wide famous dance“Whirling dervishes”, “sema”, has a ritual meaning. Its participants, the Semazen, are the dervishes of the Mevlevi brotherhood. Sema is more than a dance, it is a magical process. Dervishes, in the process of whirling, tilt their heads so that they compress the carotid artery, and as a result of this they fall into a trance and achieve union with the divine.
Each element is symbolic. White skirt means a shroud, a hat made of camel hair means a tombstone. Throwing off the black cloak symbolizes spiritual rebirth. The Mevlevi brotherhood, to which the dervishes belong, was founded in the 13th century in Turkey by their mentor Mevlevi and still exists today.
4. Wendigo Dance
Canada
Wendigos of the Algonquin Indians are emaciated, eternally hungry man-eating monsters with matted hair and decaying skin.
The Indians have a traditional dance in which some dancers satirically depict terrible monsters devouring people, while others depict brave Wendigo hunters.
5. Tarantella
Italy
Tarantella is a very fast dance that was born in the 15th century in Naples. Its name, according to one version, is associated with the city of Taranto, according to another - with a spider, a tarantula, found in these places. For a long time it was believed that its bite leads to “tarantism,” a fatal disease that can only be cured by uncontrollable, frantic dancing, as a result of which the blood accelerates and toxins are released.
In those days, orchestras even traveled around Italy specifically for those suffering from “tarantism”. And only 300 years later it was discovered that the bite of this spider is not fatal at all, but only causes a slight swelling around the wound.
6. Morris Dance
England
Morris dancing is an ancient English tradition. Many believe that the dance originated in the distant pagan past of England, as a ritual fertility dance among the Celts. Others believe that it arose much later.
In the 16th century, dancing with elaborate costumes and bells on the shins became very popular in European courts. This dance is still danced in Great Britain to this day.
7. Dances in honor of Kachin
Arizona, Utah, Colorado/USA
According to the Hopi, everything in nature is filled with Kachina spirits, who live with the Indians in their villages for six months and return to their world at the end of July. To see off the Kachina, the Hopi perform a dance in their honor for eight whole days.
Fifty dancers in masks and colorful costumes, portraying spirits, dance all day to the sound of drums and chants. At the end of the holiday, as the Hopi believed, the spirits went to the mountains to their homes until November.
8. Saber Dance
Pakistan/Nepal
Saber dancing is one of the most common rituals in the world. In Pakistan and Nepal, they are a mandatory attribute of weddings and other celebrations. From Crete they came to Ancient Greece. They also spread widely in Europe, especially in areas neighboring the Holy Roman Empire and the Basque Country. Over the course of approximately four thousand years, the world's cultures developed these dances. They have become an integral component of martial arts.
In China, the saber dance has also become one of the four main dances of Chinese Opera. Only the Ottomans banned the performance of saber dances, believing that under this pretext they would purchase weapons for the Resistance movement.
9. Candoble ritual dance
Brazil
The strange and mysterious religion of Candoble, banned until the mid-twentieth century, appeared in Brazil as a result of the importation of slaves from Africa. One of its main rituals is a dance with endless repetition of monotonous movements, as a result of which the dancer falls into a state of trance.
It is believed that at the same time one of the gods inhabits him, by communicating with whom he can purify his soul. The dance is performed accompanied by a Brazilian drum and rattles.
10. Zalongo dance
Greece
This is not really a dance, and every Greek knows this story. It was an act of mass suicide in the face of genocide. In 1803, after the signing of a peace agreement, the vassal Ottoman Empire Ali Pasha violated it and attacked the Souliots with the aim of enslaving their women and destroying their men. In protest, a group of 50 women with babies in their arms climbed the Zalongo cliff. First they threw their children off it, and after that they jumped themselves.
Rumors about this spread everywhere, throughout the Ottoman lands and Europe, artists and poets immortalized these women in their poems and paintings. They said that the women danced and sang folk songs, but perhaps this detail was added later to enhance the effect.
BONUS
From: listverse.com