Pas de Quatre
“Pas de Quatre” is one of the oldest ballets about which we have any knowledge. It’s from the Romantic era, when female ballet dancers first went up on pointe although in softer shoes than we have today. The aesthetic for dancers was to be an ethereal otherworldly being, gossamer-light and intensely feminine:
On the night it premiered in London (12 July 1845), it caused a sensation with the critics and the public alike. The reason for this was that it brought together, on one stage, the four greatest ballerinas of the time – in order of appearance, Lucile Grahn, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny Cerrito, and Marie Taglioni. …
The steps demand that each area of classical ballet technique is executed. These areas include adagio movements, petite allegro, grand allegro, fast footwork, graceful changes of position, and the elegant and fluid arm movements that have become a signature element of Pas de Quatre. Each ballerina has an individual variation, which are performed in succession between an opening and finale that are danced by all the ballerinas together. These variations were choreographed for the ballerina premiering in each role, and were designed to display the best features of each. …
The order of appearance of the ballerinas was done by age, from youngest to oldest, to squelch further confrontations between them.
Here is a lithograph from that 1845 production:
The original choreography is mostly lost. But in 1941 the British choreographer Anton Dolin recreated it at least in spirit. I see that in the original cast of the revival was the dancer Mia Slavenska. Strangely enough, when I was a young child in the late 1950s she was in a ballet class I took in Manhattan. She was not the teacher but rather a fellow student. She was slightly past her prime but could still dance up a storm and was a figure of high glamour. It was quite an eclectic class in terms of the students, but I think it’s safe to say that she was by far the best dancer although not the only professional dancer in the class, and I was the worst of all.
But I digress.
Dolin’s 1941 choreography was a conscious throwback to the older style, and the dancers of the mid-20th century were close enough to the 19th century that I think they were able to conjure up some of the feel of the original – although of course, how would I really know? But I doubt it could be performed effectively today because technique has taken over and the style is completely different. If you watch this video, you may come to appreciate the more delicate touch of the old ways – which, by the way, nevertheless require a steely technique, especially in the petit allegro of the small jumps. The old-fashioned approach is particularly challenging in the port de bras (arm movements) and slightly-forward lean of the torso.
I believe this was filmed in 1978 although I’m not certain. That would have made the Cuban dancer Alicia Alonso (the one with the sharpest features) around 58 years old here; she danced well into her 70s despite having only partial eyesight for most of her life. The video is somewhat blurry but not too bad:
Carla Fracci, who dances the Cerrito role (her hair is parted and she’s not wearing a wreath), is one of my favorite dancers of all time. She resembled the old lithographs come to life. This is an earlier production (1968) in which I think she’s especially fine. I’ve cued up her solo:
Ballet is irrelevant. Please squash the erroneous desire to post content containing ballet with all vigor and return to the meaty red meat which is red and meaty.
I disagree. I don’t know a thing about ballet but I am amazed at Neo’s knowledge and I find these posts very interesting.
Harry J Mallory:
Don’t know if your tongue is in cheek or not, but neo has converted many of us Philistines to ballet.
And we like it.
The ballet is irrelevant and I have forbidden it.
Learning French I understand pas de quatre literally as “step of four”. I tried counting 1-2-3-4, but that didn’t seem to be the point. I asked Chat what it meant in ballet terms:
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In ballet, “pas de quatre” refers to a dance performed by four dancers. While it literally means “step of four” in French, in the context of ballet, it describes a choreographed piece where four dancers, typically of equal prominence, perform together.
A pas de quatre often consists of:
Entrée (entrance) where all four dancers come on stage.
A series of individual variations or solos, allowing each dancer to showcase their technique and artistry.
A final section, typically a coda, where the dancers perform together, either in unison or in coordinated sequences.
One of the most famous examples of a pas de quatre is the 19th-century ballet piece “Pas de Quatre”, choreographed by Jules Perrot in 1845. It was performed by four of the most renowned ballerinas of the time, showcasing their individual styles while dancing together.
In short, in ballet, a pas de quatre is a group dance for four, highlighting the talents of each dancer while maintaining a cohesive ensemble performance.
huxley:
Chat is so smart.
Neo:
the old ways – which, by the way, nevertheless require a steely technique, especially in the petit allegro of the small jumps. The old-fashioned approach is particularly challenging in the port de bras (arm movements) and slightly-forward lean of the torso.
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Indeed. It seems that the arms are kept closer and/or bent into delicate curves – which must make it more challenging to maintain balance and to gain momentum for turns and leaps.
That is probably the same with the small jumps – no momentum to help you.
But it is charming and (with the period costumes) obviously presents a conventionally curved female figure in all its beauty.
Dear Neo:
I have learned so much from your ballet posts! Please keep them coming.
The pas de quartre reminds me of the standard jazz combo format where the group starts out playing the main theme, segues into separate solos, and returns to the finale in which the main theme is played together.
Love the ballet lessons – Please keep them coming….
and thanks Huxley for the laugh of the day – more ballet lessons… LOL
Ballet fine painting music is what makes life worth living
Miguel:
Also sex. And pizza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c2YL1X8eMg
Henry Mancini hits the Gulf:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIKSQT-oXfc
C’est délicieux! That was just lovely, Neo. Thanks for posting it.
The variety of arm and hand movements were mesmerizing. So delicate but conveying so much.
Speaking of arm movements, I recently started taking ballet classes after a 40-year hiatus and was shocked to hear a teacher explain to the mostly 20-something-year-old students that the origin of arms positioned in Demi-seconde was so that aristocrats could easily pat the heads of peasant children. (The teacher added that he didn’t want to bring class (political) into class (ballet).) Sadly (for me at least), most of the students nodded in understanding….
I found the first video absolutely beautiful – too low on battery to watch the second at present. Such grace!
But I have a question, especially about the 58yo dancer: does everything just… hurt?
Here’s the why of it: I’m 58. And, just this year, my knees have – quite suddenly – decided that I’m old. I’m maybe 10lb overweight but walk 5mi a day, briskly – like an hour and 20 minutes – and just now it got difficult. I mean, it turns out that it’s been coming for a while – my orthopedist can see the bone spurs, which don’t happen overnight – but they’ve just this year gotten to the point where there are things I seriously hesitate to do because of the pain, the instability, the stiffness. I don’t get down on the floor, for instance, either sitting or on all fours. I can only cross my legs for a minute or two. Cleaning baseboards has become an increasingly seldom thing. I only clean our upstairs rooms once a month or so – thank goodness our bedroom is downstairs.
I needed, and had, meniscus surgery recently, and because of the PT I am again forcing myself into positions I would rather avoid – it was a revelation, how much I had changed my habits because of my knee damage. But the ortho doesn’t want to do knee replacement yet because I’m so young.
I was never a dancer nor an athlete – it’s just that arthritis runs in the family. But I’m staring down the barrel of pain for the rest of my life, after decades that have been blissfully low on pain, and looking for mental and emotional coping tools. I didn’t want to stop doing the things I do.
So – older dancers: does everything just hurt, but you do it anyway?
Jamie:
It’s HIGHLY unusual for dancers to go as long as Alonso did. Plus, dancers are accustomed to having at least some pain even at a young age.
But in terms of chronic pain such as you describe, and what to do about it, I’m surprised your surgeon thinks 58 is too young for a knee replacement. I’m certainly not a doctor and also don’t know your situation, but I’d suggest 2nd and even 3rd opinions. There are many approaches to pain, and I hope you find a solution that works for you.
So – older dancers: does everything just hurt, but you do it anyway?
Jamie:
Please don’t do this.
I’m no medical authority, but I have had several chronic pain situations. Tendinitis both wrists and elbows. plantar fascitis, shin splints both legs, rotator cuff problems both shoulders, dislocated left shoulder, torn ACL left knee, meniscus surgery left knee.
I was young and invulnerable. I tried to push through pain. I learned not to do that. I found ways to heal and compensate. It’s a journey.
I’m not going to play tennis or run marathons, however, I can do most of what I want to do. I feel like I’m in pretty good shape these days.
Find out what your pain is telling you.
Thank you, neo – my surgeon says 2-4 years was what he was shooting for for knee replacements so they might last to, frankly, my death (I assume), but yeah, I might ask some other opinions – I have older friends who highly recommend their surgeons.
Huxley, I’m trying to figure out what this pain is telling me! So far all I’m getting is, “Be sedentary forever because it doesn’t hurt,” and that’s a terrible option!
Jamie:
Please see this.
Huxley, I’m trying to figure out what this pain is telling me!
Jamie:
There are various kinds of pain. I’m 72 and I find there is a certain amount of inflammation which comes with age which I experience as discomfort and a reluctance to exercise, but if I warm up, it’s OK. I still pay attention in case that discomfort increases.
However, for any pain that I experience as hot and burning or dull and flat, or if it lasts after I stop, is a red flag. I stop what I’m doing and wait at least a day or two. Then I do some thinking about what I might be doing to cause it.
I’m now learning electric guitar. My wrist tendinitis started to flare up soon after. I took a break, saw a guitar teacher (not all that useful) then began again, being careful to keep my wrists more or less straight, my posture erect, and my shoulders and arms relaxed. I only practice in short bursts less than five minutes.
This seems to be working. I stay aware.