The narrative of ballet steps. The role of music

Working daily in both the music and dance worlds, I notice that the new generation of dancers (both students and professionals) highly prioritize the development and control of physicality in movement. While this is undoubtedly essential as part of technical training, there is a lack of interest in analyzing, understanding, and delving into the "narrative" of movement.

By narrative, I don't mean forcefully creating a story, but rather developing an idea that serves as an interpretive key (even an emotional one) to the movement. Dance steps convey a message that is not only physical but also cultural.

We need to regain the awareness that executing a "Plié" is vastly different from executing a "Battement frappé" because interpretation is involved beyond mere execution. Steps need to be narrated and thus interpreted in entirely different ways. Otherwise, we end up with the same narrative approach (or rather, lack thereof) from the first exercise to the last. The result often manifests, for example, as the infamous "dead fish face". throughout the entire duration of the lesson.

For this purpose, music plays a fundamental role as it provides the best atmosphere for interpreting the steps. It elevates the execution to a higher level by offering the best possible material for storytelling.

The art of dance is a perfect balance between executing and interpreting an idea through the mediation of music. Without understanding the musical atmosphere, without aspiring to interpret and narrate a step, execution loses its meaning and becomes mere self-gratification of physical gestures.

This applies to my field and to all those who aspire to become Artists rather than just "excellent performers."