Definition of Classical Dance

There are many ways to dance or dance, such as different ballroom dancing, twist, rock and roll, traditional dances, street dance or styles of dance of the discos. Each of these artistic manifestations has its steps and movements, as well as its own tradition cultural.

If we talk about classical dance or ballet, its origins date back to the period of Renaissance, a stage in which dance teachers introduced this modality in the European courts.

Although classical dance originally took place in court halls, over time it was introduced on stage so that the audience could delight in the movements of the dancers. Thus, in the seventeenth century there already existed a set of regulated techniques and the first dance academies. The goal of the academies was clear: that the dancers' movements were in harmony and executed correctly.

In the early days, classical dance was combined with the singing and pantomime and from the eighteenth century on it became a totally independent art.

General principles of classical dance

The first aspect to consider is the coordination between the dancers' movements and the music.

The dancer's body is understood as a unit that must create harmony within the stage space.

The movements do not have to be abrupt, but fluid, elegant and expressive.

One of the fundamental aspects that must learn every dancer is the correct position of the feet.

From a point of view artistic, classical dance is considered the technique that serves as the foundation of all the dances that exist.

Most movements are named in French and some of the best known are the arabesque, assemblé, en arrière, en avant, battement or balancé.

Contemporary dance is based on classical dance

The approaches of classical dance have been maintained over time. However, at the end of the 19th century the American dancer Isadora Duncan introduced a new vision of dance, known as contemporary dance. This modality arose as an opposite reaction to the technical rigidity of classical dance.

In this way, contemporary dancers express themselves with more freedom of movement and dancing from their own emotions interiors.

Photos: Fotolia - Anastasiya Kostsina / Alexander Y

Themes in Classical Dance