I sometimes work as a dance class accompanist, and have spent a certain amount of time hanging around ballerinas.
First of all, I want to point out how much respect I have gained for dancers through this job. Dance requires the strength and coordination of an athlete, extraordinary self-control, and dedication to the craft. If you don’t believe me, go take a class. You will be lying on the floor weeping in pain within the first eight minutes. I know I would.
It also appear that everyone who studies western classical dance for a while will have to learn some version of “Four Little Swans,” from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gApOfm4qd0
I was goofing around on the piano one day between classes, and began to play the music to this. Immediately, a row of dance teachers came through the door in perfect formation. I laughed so hard I had to stop playing.
Ballet Fun Fact: The technical term for four people dancing together is “pas de quatre.”
Here’s an interesting interpretation of the piece. The swans have become frogs, and the choreography reflects that. It’s a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDy_XrWfxHY
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
EARNOIZE 