Louis XIV and Ballet

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  • doversoul1
    Ex Member
    • Dec 2010
    • 7132

    Louis XIV and Ballet

    This programme on BBC Four was flagged up by greenilex on Ideas & Theories board.

    Whilst the programme hardly touched on music (Lully was mentioned once by passing), I found it very interesting in that it provided a detailed background about the ballet that was so essential to French Baroque opera.

    I wish more opera producers would look into French Baroque ballet when they stage the works by Lully and Rameau.

    The King Who Invented Ballet
    How Louis XIV supported innovations that laid the foundations for classical ballet.
  • ardcarp
    Late member
    • Nov 2010
    • 11102

    #2
    I saw it and also enjoyed it, but agree that from our point of view it was music light.

    Comment

    • jayne lee wilson
      Banned
      • Jul 2011
      • 10711

      #3
      I guess you've seen this one...?

      The King dances. In late February 1653, just after the Fronde rebellion, the most influential spectacle of the early reign of Louis XIV was created at the Louvre: the Ballet

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      • doversoul1
        Ex Member
        • Dec 2010
        • 7132

        #4
        Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
        Thank you Jayne. I didn't realised that the CD was already released.

        This historical event (the CD) was the starting point of the programme and the music being recorded was included in the programme although nothing was mentioned about the composers or the music.

        One thing that was interesting from the point of music was the way in which the dancing master carried and played an instrument, the name of which I can’t remember, like a miniature violin.

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        • MickyD
          Full Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 4892

          #5
          In my opinion, this French film gives probably the very best representation of the young Louis XIV and his passion for music and dance. The DVD is sadly only available in French - very cheap on French Amazon - http://www.amazon.fr/Roi-Danse-Beno%...s=Le+roi+danse - but for some reason, costs a fortune on Amazon UK!

          Even if you can't understand French, buy the DVD - it is a feast for the eyes and ears. Music provided by Musica Antiqua Koln, no less.

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          • vinteuil
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 13078

            #6
            Originally posted by doversoul View Post

            One thing that was interesting from the point of music was the way in which the dancing master carried and played an instrument, the name of which I can’t remember, like a miniature violin.
            ... a kit, or pochette :

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            • Pegleg
              Full Member
              • Apr 2012
              • 389

              #7
              Originally posted by doversoul View Post
              One thing that was interesting from the point of music was the way in which the dancing master carried and played an instrument, the name of which I can’t remember, like a miniature violin.
              You can see & hear Pavlo Beznosiuk play a pochette in this video, "The Challenge of the Solo: The Baroque Violin - Christopher Hogwood & Pavlo Beznosiuk":



              It's at about 21 mins from the start.
              Last edited by Pegleg; 15-09-15, 21:13.

              Comment

              • Pegleg
                Full Member
                • Apr 2012
                • 389

                #8
                Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post
                Available on demand until 24/09/2015:

                Sébastien Daucé dirige l'Ensemble Correspondance dans le Concert royal de la nuit (musique de Boesset, Cambefort et Lully) en direct depuis l'Abbatiale Saint-Robert de La Chaise-Dieu.

                Comment

                • doversoul1
                  Ex Member
                  • Dec 2010
                  • 7132

                  #9
                  Re: pochette
                  Thank you vinteul and pegleg‼

                  Comment

                  • ardcarp
                    Late member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 11102

                    #10
                    Recently someone mentioned Le Roi Danse, so whoever it was and on which thread thanks very much indeed. My 2nd-hand DVD arrived yesterday courtesy of eBay (vg condition) and Mrs A and I spent a lovely evening watching it. We got about 60% of the language but 100% of the story and probably 110% enjoyment. Obviously meticulous research had gone into Lully's music and into dance-styles. I was surprised how agile some of the corybantics were! I had supposed a more stately style. I'm now going to track down the book on which it was based, Philippe Beaussant's book, Lully ou le musicien du soleil.

                    Comment

                    • MickyD
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 4892

                      #11
                      Originally posted by ardcarp View Post
                      Recently someone mentioned Le Roi Danse, so whoever it was and on which thread thanks very much indeed. My 2nd-hand DVD arrived yesterday courtesy of eBay (vg condition) and Mrs A and I spent a lovely evening watching it. We got about 60% of the language but 100% of the story and probably 110% enjoyment. Obviously meticulous research had gone into Lully's music and into dance-styles. I was surprised how agile some of the corybantics were! I had supposed a more stately style. I'm now going to track down the book on which it was based, Philippe Beaussant's book, Lully ou le musicien du soleil.
                      C'était moi! So glad you enjoyed the film - I think it is absolutely stunning and the soundtrack marvellous too. Such a pity it was not promoted in the UK at the time.

                      Comment

                      • ardcarp
                        Late member
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 11102

                        #12
                        Such a pity it was not promoted in the UK at the time.
                        I quite agree. A missed opportunity! Et merci encore, Micky.

                        Comment

                        • ardcarp
                          Late member
                          • Nov 2010
                          • 11102

                          #13
                          I'm now going to track down the book on which it was based, Philippe Beaussant's book, Lully ou le musicien du soleil.
                          Oh dear. Cheapest one found on Amazon for ..... £102. But including free delivery. Out of the question I'm afraid, but if anyone has or knows of one for sale around the £20 mark, do let me know. Thanks!

                          Comment

                          • richardfinegold
                            Full Member
                            • Sep 2012
                            • 7834

                            #14
                            Was it the Sun King that was in attendance when Lully whacked his foot with his staff during a rehearsal, or XV?

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                            • ardcarp
                              Late member
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 11102

                              #15
                              Well, according to the film it was the Sun King lui meme. And looking it up, Louis IV died 1715 (a long-reigning monarch!) and Lully died 1687. The stabbing in the foot and death from gangrene seems to be well documented, so I don't think it's one of those apocryphal stories. To us, it seems a silly way to conduct, but then there was probably so much noise going on in an excitable French court, it may have been necessary.

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