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The Classic Ballet: Basic Technique and Terminology
 
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The Classic Ballet: Basic Technique and Terminology [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Lincoln Kirstein (Author), Muriel Stuart (Author), George Balanchine (Preface)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 1998
A warm welcome back to this beloved classic! For decades the standard text for ballet technique, this book--first published in 1952--presents a beginner's guide to basic movements, steps, and terminology. Written by the staff of the School of American Ballet, it builds on the Russian tradition of Anna Pavlova and reflects the dance style of George Balanchine.

The 800 masterful drawings by Carlus Dyer demonstrate proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertoire. As Balanchine points out in his preface, the illustrations are more accurate than photographs could possibly be because they have been corrected and recorrected until they approximate the ideal.


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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Kirstein was one of the founders of the School of American Ballet along with George Balanchine. After debuting in 1952, this volume quickly became a standard in the field. The text and roughly 800 illustrations offer a beginner's guide to basic dance movement and terminology. This also contains a preface by Balanchine. Essential for all libraries.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

"For soundness, for clarity, for succinctness, this manual of basic ballet is the best there is anywhere."
–Edwin Denby, The Nation

With a precision unparalleled in any other book of its kind, The Classic Ballet presents a lucid text, and nearly six hundred drawings describe and illustrate in minute detail the proper body position, balance point, movement, and attitude of each position and step in the basic classical repertory.

As George Balanchine wrote in his preface: "There are no shortcuts to great dancing, but what is necessary to remember and unalterable in its instruction may be found in this book . . . An admirable source of reference for the highest standard of practice." It is an invaluable tool for the student or teacher of ballet–as well as a must-have treasure for the balletomane. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: University Press of Florida (August 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0813016177
  • ISBN-13: 978-0813016177
  • Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,495,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Info, December 27, 1999
This review is from: The Classic Ballet: Basic Technique and Terminology (Paperback)
I thought this book contained good information and the drawings are incredible- although confusing at times. There are many steps described in this book, both advanced and beginner. I find this book a great addition to my ballet collection. As a dancer, it is a good reference book for me when I have a question or uncertainty about a step. This book describes in detail how to preform barre exercises, allegros, turns, pointe work, etc. This is a necessity for all dancers and dancer-wannabes.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!!!, August 12, 2000
This review is from: The Classic Ballet: Basic Technique and Terminology (Paperback)
I have the hard bound edition of this book, published some time ago by Alfred Knopf, and I never tire of looking at the drawings and appreciating the mathematical precision of classical ballet. The reading of this book will be of an enormous assistance to studying ballet, and it is also invaluable if one wants to study the more technical facets of the subject. Ballet is one form of dance that can be mathematically systemaitized and characterized, and this book is a great reference for such an undertaking. Definitely worth having and the paperback edition with its low price makes it completely accessible to all.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars These Drawings Are Clearer Than Photos!, November 16, 2005
By 
J. M WILINSKY (teaneck, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   
This is a wonderful book for beginners as well as experienced dancers. In particular, this is one of the best references for barre exercises, but the center steps are well covered, too. This is actually my first choice when recommending barre exercise references, which is reason enough to include it in a ballet library.
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