Louis XIV and Ballet

[doversoul1]

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

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06bbj77

[ardcarp]

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

[jayne lee wilson]

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

http://www.eclassical.com/harmonia-mundi/le-concert-royal-de-la-nuit.html

[doversoul1]

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

http://www.eclassical.com/harmonia-m...e-la-nuit.html

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.

[MickyD]

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.

[vinteuil]

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 :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_violin

[Pegleg]

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":

https://youtu.be/E-0yY9oyZvc

It's at about 21 mins from the start.

[Pegleg]

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

http://www.eclassical.com/harmonia-m...e-la-nuit.html

Available on demand until 24/09/2015:

http://www.francemusique.fr/emission/le-concert-du-soir/2015-ete/la-chaise-dieu-2015-le-concert-royal-de-la-nuit-08-25-2015-20-00

[doversoul1]

Re: pochette
Thank you vinteul and pegleg‼

[ardcarp]

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.

[MickyD]

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.

[ardcarp]

Such a pity it was not promoted in the UK at the time.

I quite agree. A missed opportunity! Et merci encore, Micky.

[ardcarp]

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!

[richardfinegold]

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

[ardcarp]

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.