21 June 2021
June 21 marks World Music Day; an annual celebration of music. Society CEO Ginny Brown reflects on her favourite piece of music and tells us why she thinks music is important to the dance world.
"My favourite piece of dance music is the Act II: Pas de deux from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Swan Lake was the first ballet I saw as a child and, to this day, I am always transported by the hauntingly beautiful score. To me, it epitomises the romance of classical ballet."
A scene from Act 2 pas de deux from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
"One of my most powerful dance theatre experiences was watching Pina Bausch’s Rite of Spring performed to Stravinsky’s score of the same name. Danced in simple shift dresses, on an earth-covered stage, the combination of music and dance created a powerful, a visceral mood which was completely mesmerising."
A scene from Pina Bausch’s Rite of Spring
"For me, music is an integral element of dance. It provides an aural framework through, and around, which the dancer moves. So, often the dance is an expression of, or response to, the music."
Image credit: Josep Aznar
Source: MAE - Centre de Documentació i Museu de les Arts Escèniques-. Institut del Teatre
