A random chat January 28, 2009
Re: Diving into the Lilacs, abstract and story ballets
J: the “diving into the lilacs” title reminds me of driving miss daisy
J: seriously, if there was a lilac bush and guys diving into it… i would have been highly disappointed
Friend: well, it sounded like a very evocative piece, as you said
Friend: i feel like i would like that more than trying to follow giselle, for example
Friend: where there is a plot
Friend: but that i can’t follow
J: oh really?
J: it’s “whatever you make of it”
Friend: yeah
Friend: that’s why i think i would like it better
Friend: whereas you have to explain giselle to me
Friend: i guess rather than trying to guess at the blanks of a story
Friend: maybe i’d just like to lose myself in the emotive aspects
Friend: and not worry about following the story
J: but it sucks too b/c in abstract ballets, they don’t explain anything
J: and if they’re doing so evocative, like holding up two fingers, and then putting it to their heart, i’m like, ‘what the heck’
Friend: hahaha
Friend: is that the scientist in you
J: do u think?
Friend: crying out for a logical explanation
J: i’d rather it be totally abstract, if it’s going to be
J: rather than halfway storytelling
J: hinting at a plot
J: without telling it to you
J: like, i know something you don’t know
J: at least a story, you can read in the program notes
J: and make the dance fit the story they’re telling you
Friend: ah
Friend: right
Which do you prefer? Abstract or story ballets?
I’m definitely into the abstract. The story ballets just bug me … mostly all those gestures and all. But it also seems as if the story ballets have to figure out “how can we insert these dance numbers that feature various dancers?” so some have these little episodes where different characters dance while everyone else watches.
I dunno. Probably just my problem
I am stunned by the beauty of dance and dancers when it’s “all about the dance” and not about a story.
But then I like music to be “just music” too. I don’t need a story.
I agree – a lot of the dancing in these full length ballets is gratuitous, and it’s convenient for instance that Giselle’s lover is sentenced to die by “dancing to death”, for instance, so he can show us how pretty his leaps are. And the little dances while others watch – it’s not just your problem, definitely!
On the other hand, it’s interesting though that the full length ballets (Swan Lake, Giselle) are the ones that sell out a lot.
I immediately thought of classical music as well, like an abstract symphony being enough in itself, and not having to listen to Peter and the Wolf with narration to enjoy it.
Hi Jolene,
I had to miss the SFB Gala this season, so I read your review instead. I personally like to dance both, either abstract or story ballets, as long as the music is good and the choreography is insteresting. To me, the dance title is not as important as the dance itself. I read Rachel Howard’s program 1 review, and I believe I will like Yuri’s new World Premiere. I prefer “nobody dies” in story ballets, I long to either dance of see Eugene Onegin or Manon at SFB, or La Bayadere. It’s kind of boring repeating Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet. Another note, I did not like Eden/Eden music, the dance was not bad but the music was irritating.
Hi JAD, Lilacs is a beautiful ballet and very very pretty, but I found the transitions jarring, esp the last folksy section. I liked Rachel Howard’s review – I definitely enjoy some of Possohkov’s other works better, and am just wondering at how memorable this piece will be in the grand scheme of things. Let me know what you think of it when you see it.