Re: any good modern songs?

Date: 08 Jun 2003 16:03:09 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.arts.ballet
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 << The line between modern dance and lyrical (jazz) is getting fuzzier and
fuzzier in these competitions. I don't think the teachers at the "Dolly
Dinkle" studios know there is a difference. >> To expand on my comments: a lack of knowledge in dance history, particularly
the history of modern dance, is the culprit. Modern dance has been around
since the early 20th century, as a dance form, it is not necessarily something
new, trendy or contemporary. The term modern dance is associated with the same
time period as the beginnings of modern art. From the very beginning and
Isadora Duncan until today, it has been a constantly evolving art form with
styles of movement and choreography strongly associated with the choreographer
of the moment.
I got this off the web:
* * * * * * There are two different meanings for the term "Modern Dance" originally, The
term came from the early 20th. Century meaning that the dances being done were
modern in nature, rather than the old Quadrilles, Two Step, Minuet, etc. These
"Modern Dances" were generally associated with Vernon and Irene Castle, Maurice
Mouvet and Florence Walton and others who were Ballroom Dancers of the time
(1910s).
Today...
---Today the term means something different. The term Modern Dance designates a
concept of dance rather than a School or Studio. Originally (1920s) it was a
free form of dance with no base. It came to be due to the restrictions on the
ballet dancers at the time or to "release the dancer from explicit definition"
but today modern dance is very recognizable thru its forms, base and
techniques. The dancers uses their natural instincts, impulses, a release of
natural feeling when moving a "firstness." It works somewhat of the Yin and
Yang teachings of opposites, such as up/down, Left/right, Contraction/Release,
Fall/Recover, etc. The body is the Instrument for self indulged expression.
---Modern dance avoids any set bases or a set vocabulary of steps such as
ballet or Oriental, Hindu, etc. But uses all these ideas (Its kinda like a free
for all.) Because of this, Modern dance is often misunderstood by the onlooker,
as occasionally, they cannot figure out what is happening.
---Some Pioneers of the Modern Dance were Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis
were the primary movers of this style of dance as well as Rudolf Van Laban and
Mary Wigman. Others to follow were such dancers as Hanya Holm, Ted Shawn, Doris
Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Martha Graham, Valerie Bettis, Jose Limon and Helen
Tamiris.
* * * * * *
(back to my thoughts) While today's modern dance choreographers may use current popular music and
movements from the pop culture, modern dance as a theatrical art form will
remain a somewhat isolated dance form without a large audience base. And, I
think the so called serious modern dance people like it that way. What is going on in the "Dolly Dinkle" studios is popular dance (pop) dressed
up for competitions which are designed for profit for the promoters and
lightening the purses of the parents of the students who participate. It has
no real value in promoting dance as an art form or furthering the students'
training. The emphasis is on learning routines for these competitions not on
real technique or developing any artistic maturity in the students.
Terpsichorally,
P. M.