Test your basic knowledge |

Dance History

Subjects : performing-arts, dance
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. French composer; uses harmony to reinforce stasis; Prelude to Afternoon of a Fawn (half man - half goat - simulated masturbation); concert work that became a ballet






2. Was listed as the choreographer because He was widely respected - was known Perrot (more gifted) was collaborating with him; Choreographed the corps for Giselle






3. Taglioni's rival -Her dancing was 'warm and passionate' -Dance was earthy - temperamental - fiery - vuluptuous -Labeled Pagan -Danced folk dances - most famous was Cachucha - Spanish using castanet - twists and turns; Known for her flair and theatric






4. Contemporary of Duncan's. Design orientation. Known for manipulation of costumes that would make flowing patterns and dance was non-emotional. Also did light design.






5. Innovative United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1941)






6. Choreography Deeply There






7. First book of choreography; published posthumously in 1959






8. Actress - singer and tap dancer successful in early musicals...... '42nd Street'






9. Famous ballerina who formed her own company and toured 1910 - famous for portraying birds - insects - and plants - brought ballet (aristocratic art) to the common person (high schools - etc.)






10. American composer - 'chance music' - music not expressive or communicative because it says nothing - invented prepared piano






11. Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958); Established the Choreographic Institute in Zurich - Founded branches across Europe - Kinetographie Laban=labanotation - primary movement - notation stilled used today in dance - Conte






12. St. Denis and Ted Shawn's company that helps spread the gospel of dance from the constraints of ballet - opened a school in Los Angeles - brought dance to the middle class by supporting good health and virginal spirituality






13. United States choreographer (1930-1988) - reconstructed pieces of ballet russes in America died of aids






14. Called the most poetical of ballets of the 20th century. Premiered during first ballet russes season (1909)






15. Beginning of modern dance - danced with bare feet - wore flowing Greek-style robe - died being strangled from a long-flowing scarf caught in a car wheel






16. Most important figure in Russia in immediately pre-Romantic days. Did much to improve the repertory and teaching. 20 ballets - raised standards. Flying wires - pointe works.






17. A diversion or amusement; a short ballet or other entertainment performed between the acts of a play






18. In 1989 - became the first African American to lead a major national political party when He was elected chairman of the Democratic Party.






19. Created the well-known Denishawn school with his wife Ruth St. Denis. They taught dancers diverse styles - With his wife they set up the foundations for the principal of Musical Visualization 'a concept that called for movement equivalents to the tim






20. Nijinsky choreographed - in the forest - nymphs shows up to flirt with the Faun - one of them drops her scarf - they all leave - and he masturbates into the scarf






21. Music by Stravinsky - ancient Greek contest debate between forces.






22. Ballet premeried in 1870 - comic variation of La Sylphide and Giselle. Choreographed by Arthur Saint-Laon






23. HIV - choreographed Still Here - organized survivor workshops






24. Choreographed by Paul Taylor; Modern dance work in one act with choreography by Taylor - music by Handel - and lighting by T. Skelton. Premiered 4 Aug. 1962 at Connecticut College - New London - by the Paul Taylor Dance Company with Taylor - Elizabet






25. A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles






26. Based on Bill T. Jones' seminar workshops; swirling with arms out to side - spinning - stomping feet - flying






27. Opened in 1948 - artistic director Balanchines. Distinguished choreographers: Tudor - Frederick Ashton - Robbins...Permanent home New York State Theater at Lincoln Center






28. Different styles: 1. hoofers: Gregory Hines - Savion Glover - intricate footwork 2. class acts: Fred Astaire - Ginger Rodgers - refined and elegant 3. flash acts: tap with acrobatics 4. soft shoe: skimming floor - producing soft & muted steps






29. French for 'big dance for two' - Entrae - Adagio duet - Male solo - Female solo - Coda - plot structure of Petipa






30. Designer. Influenced by Greek and Asian art. Costumes and sets full of bold colors. Decorative motifs that employed perspective painting. Successful with ballet. 'sophisticated eclecticism'. Teacher.






31. A pioneer of modern dance - established importance of the male dancer - created masculine movement style - founded own company in 1947; died of prostate cancer






32. Embraces conflict - polyrhythmic - pelvis off centered - high affect juxtaposition (intenseness of feeling) - ephebism (power - vitality) - cool (intensity) - improvisation






33. Ballet by Michel Folkine; 1910; based on '1001 nights'






34. Alwin Nikolais - had a lot of ribbons - very involved in the sounds - wearing skin colored clothes - drum music - elastic ropes and strings - all across stage






35. Reform Russian Ballet - choreographed Dying Swan 1905 for Anna Povlova (2 minutes long) - accused of being influenced by Isadora Duncan - teacher & choreographer rather than a refined dancer






36. Any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact; Nijinsky had this illness






37. Pilobolus - human jousting horses






38. Important Russian composer whose works are noted for their expressive melodies (1840-1893); composed score for Nutcracker - Sleeping Beauty






39. Most eligible bachelor - do a wiggle before putting in golf






40. Workers who earned enough money to be able to become consumer of art and material goods following the Industrial Revolution; escapism became a huge hit when the Depression hit to escape harsh reality






41. End of ACT I - Aurora partnered with 4 different princes - en pointe a rose is exchanged. Difficult.






42. Previous member of Denishawn (left late 1920's) - developed a comedic mime aesthetic - shared a school with Humphrey for years - pioneer of modern dance






43. Russian dancer and choreographer; considered one of greatest male ballet dancers; became artistic director of American Ballet Theatre






44. 1st male dancer to make an impression in United States. Danced with Dane Margo Fontain in the Royal Ballet; died of AIDS






45. Dances have no linear development; no central focus on stage; a field of dancers where you can watch any dancer from any direction and decide for yourself where the focus of the dance is






46. A jerky American dance that was popular in the 1940s






47. Interrupted first flush of success of Coppelia and the included the siege of Paris - which also led to the early death of Giuseppina Bozzacchi - on her 17th birthday - but eventually it became the most-performed ballet at the Opera Garnier.






48. Outstanding for the way he combined expressive movements with dance steps; - choreographed the ballet Giselle






49. Unsuccessful revival - Ballet Russes lose money






50. This is a dynamic way to use the space of the dance floor to a fuller extent