Chopin's Dance World
Discover the repertoire of dances that inspired Chopin, recreated by Cracovia Danza Ballet.
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The composer was a great dancer himself and a regular guest in salons and balls in Warsaw, Vienna and Paris. Therefore in his works he expressed the character of popular salon dances of his time with a great perfection and creativity.
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Almost half of over 200 of his works have a dance name in its title and in many others one can find very expressive dance rhythms.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Cracovia Danza Ballet
Founded by dancer and choreographer Romana Agnel, Poland’s the only professional court ballet which specialises in Baroque and Old Polish dances. The group’s repertoire is inspired by, among others, dance masters' treatises as well as old iconographic sources.
Chopin appeared in Cracovia Danza repertoire in 2009. The performance "Chopin's Dance World" was created to mark the celebrations of Chopin Year (2010). Since then it has been played at multiple stages all over Europe, e.g. in Minsk, Vilnus, Leipzig, Salzburgu and Aix-An-Provance. In 2020 a new programme came forth, containing salon dances from Chopin times, recreated by Romana Agnel from the treatise by French dance master, Henri Cellarius (1848).
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska
In the video the ladies and gentlemen dance to Chopin’s music such forms as valse, ecossais, bourèe, ländler and the country dance.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The choreography, developed by Romana Agnel, was based on reconstruction of the dance forms from the treatise by the French dance master Henri Cellarius, „La danse de salon” (1848).
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The dance forms present at the salons, which Frederic Chopin observed and participated in, became an inspiration for his work.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska
The scenery for the film has become Villa Decius, a Renaissance villa in the outskirts of Krakow. In the second half of the 19th century it has become a home of Princess Marcelina Czartoryska, a great Polish pianist, a student of Fryderyk Chopin.
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Chopin's Dance World
The first part of the performance "Chopin's Dance World" shows the world of solons, in which balls and banquets were the realm of elegant anglaises and lancers, as well as quadrilles and swirling delightful valses.
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Polonaise
The Polonaise, the most well-known Polish dance fulfilling manifold functions, has through centuries and to this day accompanied Poles and never ceased to inspire numerous Polish and foreign artists: composers, painters, writers and choreographers alike.
From its very beginnings the Polonaise has been danced in nobility and court circles where it has fulfilled manifold functions. It is a social dance, though it has a representative character.
It is most often performed as an opening dance at the most important ceremonies and balls. Up to this day in Poland the Polonaise marks the beginning of weddings, formal dances and New Year’s Eve balls.
It also served the ceremonious and representative function at European courts of the 18th and 19th centuries when inaugurating balls, receptions and public masquerades with the stately Polonaise had become a part of the court and salon tradition.
Cracovia Danza - Polonez / Polonaise (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Polonaise
music: Maciej Radziwiłł
choreography: Leszek Rembowski
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The second part of the performance "Chopin's Dance World" turns to what was the foundation and a source of inspiration of composer's work till the end of his life in exile - the Polish music resonating mainly in mazurkas.
Chopin's Dance World (2016)Cracovia Danza Ballet
In the performance there are shown dances from which mazurkas were developed - folk originated kujawiak and oberek, as well as noble mazur.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Mazurka
Reading the descriptions of the mazurkas in the Cellarius’ treaty, it is impossible not to refer to Frederic Chopin's mazurkas, which certainly contributed to the success of this dance in Paris and throughout Europe.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
"Of all the new dances that have been lately introduced into the Parisian ball-rooms, there is none that has a character more marked with vigour and originality than the mazurka, the Polish origin of which I need hardly mention". (Henri Cellarius, La danse des salons, 1847)
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
"A true mazurka dancer not only differentiates his steps, but usually invents them himself and creates new ones that are unique and belong only to him". (Henri Cellarius, La danse des salons, 1847)
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Dancing Composer
Chopin was a great dancer. He knew the repertoire of salon dances of his time very well. Cracovia Danza Ballet recreates the repertoire of dances that inspired composer and could be danced by him.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
Based on period treatises, they recreate the style, steps and figures, breathing into them emotions, character, and a symbolism of gesture and movement.
With Chopin in the salon of Marcelina Czartoryska (2020)Cracovia Danza Ballet
The choreographies by Romana Agnel and Leszek Rembowski are based on historical sources and a deep knowledge of Polish and European dance tradition and heritage.
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