Listening
Claude Debussy – opening from The Afternoon of a Faun (ballet)
Ballet:
A story or drama presented through choreography and music.
0:17–3:29 only: Performed by the Ballets Russes. [Listen on YouTube]
Igor Stravinsky – opening from The Rite of Spring (ballet)
Performed by the Joffrey Ballet in 1987 (reconstruction of original debut performance).
Maurice Ravel – Boléro (ballet)
0:39–5:26 only: Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. [Listen on YouTube]
IN YOUR DISCUSSION POST:
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Provide a sentence or two that comments on the interaction between the choreography and orchestral music in these excerpts.
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In a sentence or two, describe how the choreography and/or staging in these excerpts confirms or challenges your ideas about ballet?
Reading
Who is Debussy?
Debussy, (Achille-)Claude - Oxford Reference
Who is Stravinsky?
Stravinsky, Igor (Fyodorovich) - Oxford Reference
Who is Ravel?
Ravel, (Joseph) Maurice - Oxford Reference
Wider Context
OPTIONAL: For a wider context, see Oxford Reference for timelines of world history by century.
