 the male dancer
written by an on 19.02. at 01:22:53 - as answer to: Cecchetti/R.A.D./Vaganova: 3 ways of saying the same thing? by Bill at Hi Bill! You asked "Is there a book or a website that compares the terms used by the three major schools of ballet?" I have never found one, and don't believe there is a "cross-walk." Actually, the differences between these three schools are subtle differences in the positions and movements, "variations on the basics." But you also left out Bourneville and what I called the Modified American Plan (a conglomeration of variations on the basics. Balanchine did not, in my humble opinion, develop variations on the basics, but developed an overall "look." Martha Graham and many other great Americans did, in my humble opinion, the same as Balanchine. Other notable choreographers, like Bejart, really choreographed a combination of variations on the basics...they made unique performances, just like Balanchine, Graham, etc. took their "look" and made unique performances). What you have to do to understand the differences between the basic schools is to study the syllabi of each school, along with instructional tapes that are true to each school. After you spend a few hours comparing only, say, the arabesque position of Cecchetti to Vaganova to others, you will see the variation on the basic position, and then you have to study how different the movements are that achieve that position. The leg really doesn't move into the Cecchetti arabesque derriere in the same way the leg moves into a Vaganova arabesque derriere. Once you understand these differences and how choreographers use them, you can do one of two things: (1) Become a critic and criticize every little movement and position as unflattering for the specific dancer; or, (2) Sit back and marvel at the way different dancers and different cheorographers use the positions and movements of dance. anonymous Answers to this message:
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