The sound of music: new CDs for dance class.The first modern dance class I accompanied was taught by Kozuko Hirabayashi, at Kirkland (now Hamilton) College in 1970. Her instructions to me were, "And." Somehow I figured out what to do. Subsequently, I studied dance at the Paul Sanasardo Summer Workshop in Saratoga Springs Saratoga Springs, resort and residential city (1990 pop. 25,001), Saratoga co., E N.Y.; inc. as a village 1826, as a city 1915. Skidmore College is the largest source of employment, but the city also has light manufacturing. , where a divine human accompanied class playing cello cello or 'cello: see violin. cello or violoncello Bowed, stringed instrument, the bass member of the violin family. Its full name means “little violone”—i.e., “little big viol. and finger cymbals Noun 1. finger cymbals - a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance bones, castanets, clappers , and burst into song at the perfect moment. Gwendolyn Watson became my inspiration as a dance class accompanist, and I went on to become the original music director of both the Mark Morris Dance Group and Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project (above). The best accompaniment for any dance class is live accompaniment. Apart from the sheer power of live music, with its dynamics and overtones, having a real pianist--or drummer or cellist--trains dancers to listen more closely and to react spontaneously. And students benefit from the intuitive chemistry that can develop between teacher and musician. However, crises do occur, whether personal or financial. Back in 1972 in Saratoga Springs, Watson's record (on vinyl) had just come out and was inspirational on its own. Nothing currently available reminds me of that music, but here are some recommendations for those moments when it's up to you and your CD player to teach class. Ballet Music for Barre Barre (bă`rē), city (1990 pop. 9,482), Washington co., central Vt., SE of Montpelier; settled late 18th cent., inc. 1894. Granite quarrying, which began in the region in the early 19th cent., is still important. and Center floor Directed and supervised by David Howard For the baseball player, see . David Howard (born December 8, 1961 in Enterprise, Alabama) is a former American football linebacker who played for eight seasons in the National Football League from 1985 to 1992. He also played for the Los Angeles Express of the USFL. . Pianist: Alla Reznik 31 mins. $29.95. www.roperrecords.com This is a great recording of a brilliant pianist. Choice selections (Borodin, Czerny, Mendelssohn, etc., as well as original improvisations) are delivered with plenty of romantic phrasing and dynamics. Reznik is an obvious first call for ballet class, and if she's already booked, this CD provides a good body double. Alla Reznik Plays Variations from Famous Classical Ballets Noun 1. classical ballet - a style of ballet based on precise conventional steps performed with graceful and flowing movements ballet, concert dance - a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers , Advanced 31 mins. $29.95. www.roperrecords.com Specific classical variations (from Giselle, Swan Lake Swan Lake (Russian: Лебединое Озеро, Lebedinoye Ozero, Swan Lake , Raymonda, etc.) featuring Ms. Reznik's innate musicality. Ballet Class Music (Vol. 4): Lament Choukroun No time listed. $30. www.danceclassmusic.com Originally the repetiteur of ballet classes at l'Opera de Paris, Choukroun now trains pianists who accompany ballet class. This is just one in a series of CDs providing hours of original music with a French flair. Behind Barres, Vol. VI By Request with Judy Rice & Paul Lewis Paul Lewis may refer to one of the following
64 mins. $30. www.behindbarres.com This CD features piano arrangements of tunes by Berlin, Gershwin, Arlen, and Leroy Anderson Leroy Anderson (June 29, 1908–May 18, 1975) was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. as well as one of my all-time favorite waltzes, "The Carousel Waltz," by Richard Rodgers. Celebration: Music for Ballet Class David Howard & Tim Grundmann 48 mins. $30. www.bodarc.com Great energy in these solo piano tracks, many of which are credited to the pianist. Finis Jhung & Scott Killian: New Ballet Music to "Special Places" Ballet Dynamics, Inc. 73 mins. $24. wwv.finisjhung.com If you're looking to take a break from traditional piano accompaniment, this imaginative CD, with its digital orchestrations (synth synth n. 1. Informal A synthesizer. 2. A style of light popular music made with synthesizers. Also called synth-pop. horns, bells, strings, and more) might fit your bill, as would others in the series. Joyful Noise Discs One & Two Andy Monroe 70 mins. $15 each. www.andymonroe.com Monroe's experience playing for classes at the schools of Paul Taylor
Open Class! and Master Class! Music for the Intermediate/Advanced Ballet Lesson. Directed and produced by Charles Flachs; Pianist: Susanne Anderson 60 minutes and 62 minutes. $28 each. www.musicforballet.com Lovely musical choices, mixing traditional repertoire (Offenbach, Tchaikovsky) with not so traditional selections from Granados, Joplin, and Sousa. Something Different: Contemporary Dance Music Vol. 1 Michael Price
Michael F. Price (born 1953) is a value investor and fund manager in Far Hills, New Jersey. 47 mins. $21.99. www.musicfordance.com Eleven cinematic tracks from a composer from the United Kingdom, orchestrating his piano solos The piano is often used to provide harmonic accompaniment to a voice or other instrument. However, solo parts for the piano can be found in some musical styles. These can take the form of a section in which the piano is heard more prominently than other instruments, or in which the piano with contemporary sounds and textures heard in today's film scores. A Trip to Italy: Melodies of Italy Arranged for Ballet Class Pianist: Steven V. Mitchell; violinist: Joyce Hammann 44 min. $25. www.danceables.com A terrific pianist, plus a sublime violinist, offer a deliciously Italian menu, from Verdi to "Mambo Italiano" to "That's Amore" and beyond. BALLET FOR CHILDREN: Fun Favorites Pre-Ballet E. Laura Hausmann & Nathan Fifield 74 min. $29.95. bobrizzo.com Tuneful spirited melodies ("Yellow Rose of Texas," "Home on the Range") as well as Joplin and Chopin. Introduction to Ballet & Character Gayle Corkery & Whit Kellogg 64 mins. $30. www.bodarc.com Colorful selections from around the world ("The Hall of the Mountain King," "O Canada") with the miraculous sound of piano four hands. (How can there be so many notes?) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion