Dances for Children (Around the Linden Tree, Classical Duet, Three Graces, Écossaise, Ballspiel, Water Study) [transmission 2023]

A choreographic extract remodelled by the group Koregrafik, coordinators Pauline Poggi, Valentine Savéan, as part of the “Danse en amateur et repertoire” programme 2022/2023 (a programme created to assist and promote amateur dancing).

Transmission by Barbara Kane, Pierre-Emmanuel Langry.

Presented on 3 June 2023, Le Triangle, Cité de la danse, in Rennes.

The piece when it was created 

Dances for Children (Around the Linden Tree, Classical Duet, Three Graces, Écossaise, Ballspiel, Water Study)

Firstly produced circa 1910

Choreography: Isadora Duncan

Music: Franz Schubert (Valses sentimentales, no 18, D.779, op. 50 ; Danses allemandes, n° 10, D.783, op. 33 ; Premières valses, n° 33, D.365, op. 9 ; Écossaise, n° 1, D.734, op. 67 ; Valse de Graz, n° 10, D.924, op. 91 ; Valse de Graz, n° 12, D.924, op. 91)

Original duration : 9 min

The group

Founded in 2016 in Triel-sur-Seine, Koregrafik provides its eight members with a space not only for regular training, but also for creative development and exploration, under the direction of dance teacher Pauline Poggi. The troupe has presented two works, entitled Sur le fil and Organik at the Théâtre Octave Mirbeau in Triel-sur-Seine, where choreographers, including Régis Obadia and Abdennour Belalit, have given masterclasses and taught repertoire. This is the first time Koregrafik is participating in the Amateur Dance and Repertoire programme.

The project

The troupe has selected Isadora Duncan’s Dances for Children, created circa 1910. Generally taught to children, it is a light-hearted piece, set to Schubert’s waltzes, which showcases the harmonious serenity at the heart of Duncan’s work. Dances for Children is divided into short sequences danced as solos, duos, in fours or as an ensemble. The sequences are structured as a circle from which individual dancers periodically break away without ever truly breaking the continuity of the circle dance. This interplay between the individual and the group through mutual attention attracted the dancers to the piece. Dance notator Pierre-Emmanuel Langry and Duncan expert Barbara Kane taught Dances for Children to the group, based on scores and archives, particularly photographs.

Amateur Dance and Repertory is a companion program to amateur practice beyond the dance class and the technical learning phase. Intended for groups of amateur dancers, it opens a space of sharing for those who wish to deepen a practice and a knowledge of the dance in relation to its history.

Laurent Barré
Head of Research and Choreographic Directories
Anne-Christine Waibel
Research Assistant and Choreographic Directories
+33 (0)1 41 83 43 96
danse-amateur-repertoire@cnd.fr

Source: CN D

More information: https://www.cnd.fr/en/page/323-danse-en-amateur-et-repertoire-grant-programme