Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Kostrovitskaya manual revealed some critical training tips, but not enough to encourage progress. And why would it? During the Cold War, information was at a premium. Ballet was just another area in which Russians could (and did) outdo the West.

On day 3 of the year 2012, an adagio declassified: grand pas de basque

Part I:
(from corner 8) grand pas de basque to piquE attitude (to corner 2; arms either immediately to 3rd upon developpE, or 1st to 3rd to 2nd); promenade enveloppE to passE/high arm (to corner 8); lower to pliE-tendu-croisE (arms low/open); 1/4 pivot (to corner 6) bringing arms to 2nd (still in pliE), lift leg & 1/2 fouettE into attitude (to corner 2); pas de bourEe (to corner 8) and lower to 5th; forward cambrE bringing arms to 3rd; back cambrE with audience arm high, away arm in 1st;

Part 2:
(from corner 8) pas de basque en l'aire to piquE attitude (to corner 2); 1/2 pirouette en dehors (arms in 1st) to corner 8; repeat