MOVEMENT AND METAPHOR: Four Centuries of Ballet

by Lincoln Kirstein ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1970

Mr. Kirstein, co-founder and General Director of the New York City Ballet, traces the history of the ""academic theatrical classic dance"" in the West, from its 16th century origins in court masquerades to the contemporary productions of George Balanchine's repertory company. The author orders his material into two parts, the first comprising a discussion of the five elements proper to the ""spectacle"" of theatrical dance--choreography, music, mime, costume, decor--and the second analyzing in a structured outline fifty ballets selected from the four hundred years. The overriding intent of the work is to focus upon those developments in dance which established ballet as an autonomous art on a par with the other plastic arts. For that reason, choreography receives the greatest attention: the codification of steps, the introduction of professional dancers (almost until the end of the 17th century, courtiers and royalty danced the roles), and the organization of repertory companies, where the ballet master, not star personalities, assumed importance. The ballet de tour. ballet d'action, ballet romantique, and ballet russe define the four major successions. Diaghilev emerges as the most revolutionary Figure in the history of ballet with his sensational impact upon the decadent formulae of Western dance. In the second and appreciably longer part of the book, Kirstein discusses the fifty ballets according to ""priority, precedent, politics and plot or pretext."" Again, his emphasis is the syntax and structure of choreography. Although the author claims his study is ""not for the general reader,"" technical terms are minimal and when used receive full explanation.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Praeger

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION