Études (ballet)

Études is a one-act ballet choreographed by Danish dancer and choreographer Harald Lander to piano studies by Carl Czerny arranged for orchestra by Knudåge Riisager. It is considered Lander's most famous choreographic work and brought him international fame. The work premiered on 15 January 1948 at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen with the Royal Danish Ballet, with scenery and costumes by Rolf Gerard and lighting by Nananne Porcher.

Études is considered an homage to classical ballet training. It begins with traditional ballet exercises at the barre and ends with spectacular bravura displays.^[1]

The original cast included: Margot Lander, Hans Brenaa, Svend Erik Jensen, Inge Sand and Inge Goth. Its ABT premiere at the 54th Street Theatre in New York took place on 5 October 1961 and featured dancers Toni Lander, Royes Fernandez, Bruce Marks, Eleanor D'Antuono and Elisabeth Carroll.

Sections

The order of the various sections of the ballet, as recorded by the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky in 1997, include:

Overture (exercises at the barre) Tendus, Grands battements, fondus and frappes Ronds de jambe Silhouetter-au milieu Adagio Port de Bras et pas de badin Mirror Dance Ensemble Romantic Pas de deux Sortie

Conclusion Pirouettes Releves Piques et grands pirouettes Solo for the Prima Ballerina Coda Small Leaps Mazurka Tarantella Broad Leaps (Finale)

References

Notes

1. Matthew Naughtin, Ballet Music, 2014, p. 219

Sources

• Terry, Walter (1976). Ballet Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co. ISBN 0-396-07024-8