Dance is an art form that has been appreciated and enjoyed by people across the world for centuries. It is a form of expression that transcends language barriers and communicates emotions through movement.
While there are many types of dance styles, concert dance stands tall as one of the most recognized genres of dance. This type of dance is characterized by precision and technique and is often performed by highly trained professionals.
In this article, we will explore what concert dance is and provide examples of popular concert dance styles. What is Concert Dance?
Concert dance refers to a form of dance that is performed in front of an audience. It is often considered as a high art form and requires a significant amount of skill and talent.
Concert dances can be performed by a single dancer or a group of dancers. They are usually choreographed to a specific piece of music and often tell a story or convey a particular emotion.
Examples of Concert Dance
Ballet
Ballet is a classical form of concert dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts during the 15th century. It is characterized by graceful movements and precise techniques.
Ballet is often performed to classical music and is known for the use of pointe shoes, which allows dancers to dance on the tips of their toes. Famous ballets include Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet.
Jazz
Jazz dance is a style of dance that originated in the United States during the early 20th century. It is characterized by a fusion of African American and European dance styles and often incorporates elements of gymnastics and acrobatics.
Jazz dance is often performed to jazz music and is known for its high energy and improvisational nature. A well-known jazz ballet is All That
Jazz from the hit musical Chicago.
Musical Theater
Musical theater is a theatrical performance that combines music, dance, and spoken dialogue. The dance style in musical theater is often a combination of jazz, tap, and ballet.
Musicals like Cats, Grease, and Hamilton are well-known examples of musical theater that showcase different dance styles.
Tap
Tap dancing is a style of dance that originated in the United States during the 19th century. It is characterized by the use of tap shoes, which create rhythmic sounds as the dancer taps on the floor.
Tap dancing is often performed to jazz or swing music and is known for its fast footwork and rhythm. A well-known tap ballet is the Hoedown from Rodeo.
Examples of Concert Dance Performances
Entre et Danse des Zphyrs From Atys
Entre et Danse des Zphyrs was composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully during Louis XIV of France’s reign. It is a classic ballet piece that reflects the style and elegance of the Baroque era.
Dance of the Willis From Giselle
Dance of the Willis is a well-known ballet from the Romantic era. The ballet tells the story of a young woman, Giselle, who dies of a broken heart and returns as a ghost to save her lover from the evil Willis.
Galop Infernal From Orpheus in the Underworld
Galop Infernal is a can-can dance from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. It is a lively and energetic dance that showcases the excesses of the Baroque era.
Hoedown From Rodeo
Hoedown is a tap dance from Aaron Copland’s ballet, Rodeo. It is a fun and upbeat dance that celebrates the spirit of the cowboy culture.
All That
Jazz From Chicago
All That
Jazz is a jazz dance from the musical Chicago. It is a high-energy dance that showcases the fun and glitz of the 20s jazz age.
Mambo From West Side Story
Mambo is a combination of ballet and jazz and is a well-known dance from Leonard Bernstein’s musical West Side Story. It is a fun and upbeat dance that celebrates Latin American culture.
Step Dance From Fire Shut Up In My Bones
Step Dance is a modern dance style that combines African American dance tradition with contemporary dance elements. It is featured in Terrance Blanchards opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, concert dance is an art form that has been enjoyed and appreciated by audiences for centuries. It is a disciplined and precise form of dance that requires incredible skill and talent.
Ballet, jazz, musical theater, and tap are some of the most popular types of concert dance styles. Entre et Danse des Zphyrs From Atys,
Dance of the Willis From Giselle,
Galop Infernal From Orpheus in the Underworld,
Hoedown From Rodeo, All That
Jazz From Chicago,
Mambo From West Side Story, and
Step Dance From Fire Shut Up In My Bones, are all incredible examples of concert dance performances that showcase different dance styles.
Whether it be the elegance of ballet or the energy of jazz, concert dance will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come.
3) History of Concert Dance
Concert dance has a rich and varied history that spans several centuries. From its origins in the Baroque era to its evolution in the twentieth century, concert dance has evolved into an art form that embodies grace, precision, and storytelling.
Rise of Concert Dance during the Baroque Era
The Baroque era saw the rise of opera as the most popular form of entertainment in Europe. This period also saw the rise of dance sequences as an integral part of opera performances.
Dance sequences were introduced in operas to provide a visual and symbolic representation of the opera’s themes and to provide a brief interlude between acts. These dance sequences often featured complex choreography and elaborate costumes and quickly became a highlight of the opera.
Popularity of Ballet in the Romantic Era
The Romantic era saw ballet take center stage as the most popular form of concert dance. Ballet evolved during this period and was no longer just a form of entertainment but also a storytelling medium.
Ballets like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet were created during the Romantic era and are still performed today.
Evolution of Concert Dance in the Twentieth-Century
The twentieth century saw the evolution of concert dance into new and innovative art forms. The increased popularity of twentieth-century music styles like jazz and swing led to the rise of new dance forms that incorporated these elements.
Jazz dance, a style that originated in the African American community during the early twentieth century, later became popular among concert dancers in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jazz dance is characterized by fast footwork, fluid movements, and improvisation.
Another significant development in concert dance during the twentieth century was the rise of hip-hop dance. This dance form originated in the African American and Latino communities in the United States in the 1970s and has now become a global phenomenon.
Hip-hop dance is characterized by its high energy, staccato movements, and incorporates breakdancing and popping.
4) Final Thoughts on Concert Dance
While concert dance may be performed in front of an audience, it is the audience that gives it meaning and purpose. Without an audience to appreciate and respond to the performance, concert dance loses much of its power and emotion.
Concert dance invites the audience to participate in the performance actively by experiencing the joy and emotions that it evokes. When the audience responds with enthusiasm and applause, they give the dancers the recognition and validation they need to continue performing at their best.
In conclusion, the history of concert dance spans centuries and has evolved into different styles and forms. From the elegant and precise movements of ballet to the high-energy rhythms of jazz and hip-hop, concert dance represents the human spirit and offers an artistic outlet for performers to express themselves.
Whether its origins in the Baroque era or its evolution in the twentieth century, concert dance remains a significant component of fine art and entertainment. It is an art form that requires discipline, hard work, and dedication, but it is also one that provides enjoyment and excitement for the performer and audience alike.
In conclusion, concert dance is an art form that has a rich history and has evolved into different styles and forms over the centuries. From its origins in the Baroque era to its evolution in the twentieth century, concert dance remains a significant component of fine art and entertainment.
Ballet, jazz, musical theater, and tap are some of the most popular types of concert dance styles, showcasing different styles and themes. It’s important to note that concert dance wouldn’t be possible without an audience to appreciate and respond to the performance.
Concert dance invites the audience to participate in the performance actively by experiencing the joy and emotions that it evokes. Overall, concert dance offers enjoyment and excitement for performers and audiences, in a way that transcends language barriers and communicates emotions through movement.