According to Agrippina Vaganova in Basic Principles of Classical Ballet**, Pas Balancé“Is one of the simple pas allegro, which is easily done even by children. In classical dancing it is often used in waltz tempo.” (p.99) I love to waltz alone or as a pair, and find it’s swingy rhythms intoxicating, much as its early critics were!
There are many famous waltzes in classical ballets, including “Sleeping Beauty” and “Cinderella” as well as more modern pieces such as Balanchine’s “Vienna Waltzes” to music by Richard Strauss. Since it’s St. Patrick’s Day today, I’ve been sharing Irish folk music in dance this month, including a lovely Irish Waltz that makes me want to dance!
Although the Waltz has become a beloved ballroom and social dance as well as inspiration for balletic movement, at first it caused a scandal due to it's closed hold and mesmerizing swirling movements.
In the Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet**, Gail Grant describes balancéas a "Rocking step. This step is very much like a pas de valse and is an alternation of balance, shifting the weight from one foot to the other. Balancé may be done crossing the foot either front or back. [...] Balancé may also be done en avant or en arrière facing croisé or effacé and en tournant." (p.11)
Vaganova describes the performance of a basic ballet balance: “Stand in 5th position, right foot front. From demi-plié, do a light jeté with the right foot to the side, and then draw left foot back (on count one). On count two change to the left foot on half toe, and on three lower yourself again on the right foot in demi-plié, and raise the left one sur le cou-de-pied back. The next balancé will be to the left, i.e. jeté left, etc.” Agrippina Vaganova in Basic Principles of Classical Ballet** (p.99-100)
I find in describing a balletic waltzing step to dancers of other forms, it compares well with modern dance’s “Triplets,” or “The Pony” of the 1960’s.
In a blog and podcast coming soon, I will discuss musical meter, ¾ time, and so forth, but for now it is helpful to think of counting a waltz step as “one and uh two and uh three and uh four and uh...” or “one two three, two two three, three two three, four two three...” unlike other even meters such as marching rhythms, you’ll notice is has a up-and-down or swingy feeling.
Stay tuned on my YouTube Channel and Blog for more about this delightful ballet movement and more!
