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| The Ultimate Pas de Deux ~ Dame Margot Fonteyn & Rudolf Nureyev in "GISELLE" |
Ballet is filled with so many memorable variations, pas de deux, pas de trois, pas de quattre and corps dances/mis én scene. Every ballet enthusiast has their own personal favourite ballets, their own personal favourite variations, their own personal favourite sections of ballets (if you will). Today I'll examine different pas de deux from various ballets that I love. I have chosen these pas de deux because apart from loving the construction of choreography and interpretation of music, I love them because I had wished that one day I could dance them. They have their own quirks and reasons for being my personal favourites (to which I'll make mention in each piece).
The word pas de deux sounds so romantic to me, so naturally...you automatically think of a beautiful dance between a man and a woman and more often than not it signifies love or passion. But pas de deux can also be aggressive, fiery and angry. It largely depends on what context its featured.
Listed below are my Top 5 Pas de Deux!
5) Balcony Pas de Deux ~Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "ROMEO & JULIET"
Sir Kenneth MacMillan was no doubt, a master of the pas de deux. I love the balcony pas de deux in "Romeo & Juliet" because of how beautiful it is. It compliments the music and there is a great deal of passion behind each movement. The use of space is what appeals to me the most and how each lift is almost like the ballerina is sailing through the air. It's an almost ethereal atmosphere attached to it. The innocence of Juliet is captured perfectly in the intricate steps that she executes and the desire of Romeo is equally captured perfectly through his virtuoso allegro and use of space. It's a perfect depiction of young love.
4) Act III Grands Pas de Deux ~ "THE NUTCRACKER"
Yes no need to wipe your eyes I did list a pas de deux from "The Nutcracker" as one of my personal favourites. Whilst I appreciate the ballet in its entirety, sadly I struggle to sit through the entire damned thing. Maybe because its such a classic its been somewhat overdone (for me). Nevertheless, one element to that ballet which will never grow old for me is the final pas de deux between Clara and her Prince. The music I have to say, is one of my favourite pieces of all time. Tchaikovksy wielded his magic on this one. Whilst I do not like the female or male variations, I enjoy thoroughly the pas de deux and the final coda. It is beautiful and it is very classic. The steps become almost representations of pure classical technique. There is a lot of technique behind this piece and whilst it appears easy, that is where the complexity lies. It's almost as though the "easier" a ballet step appears, the "harder" it actually is when you dissect it.
3) Act III Grands Pas de Deux ~ "DON QUIXOTE"
If anything, I simply adore "Don Quixote" because of the Spanish influence and the sense of pizzazz behind it. It is very cool. The Wedding Pas de Deux is my favourite pas de deux in the ballet, simply because there is that air of regalness behind it. I love how the music in the beginning has that sense of royalty and the dancers appear proud and move together as if parading themselves across the stage, punctuating sections of the dance with amazing lifts. I would have to count the entire package, the Kitri fan variation is a personal favourite. When I learnt this variation I was hooked. So much fun, so fast and so exciting. The male variation is equally exciting with its gravity defying allegro and the final Coda never disappoints. The token fouéttes and the grandeur behind it all is what I love most about this classical pas de deux.
2) Abandon ~ Angelin Preljocaj's "LE PARC"
Preljocaj's "Le Parc" is an exploration of relationships and love. It is a contemporary ballet with snippets of very bizarre choreography followed by moments that are just punctuated with beauty. He's a master of movement and innovation and the ballet is a very enjoyable depiction of the human condition. What I love about the final pas de deux, entitled "Abandon" is the passion behind it. Yes the re-occurring theme to what turns me on in ballet is passion. Well there is plenty of it in this pas de deux. It signifies the union, or almost the reunion - joining of man and woman as they express their emotions without any inhibitions...hence abandon... Below is the Pas de Deux featuring Paris Opera Ballet Étoiles, Aurélie Dupont and Manual Legris.
1) The Swamp Pas de Deux ~ Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "MANON"
Those that are close to me know that I love the ballet "Manon" so very very much - not just because of the choreography, but because of the story and the level of realness behind it. The costumes are sumptuous and the sets elegant. Above all else, the music is heart-wrenching and if anything it takes you on an emotional ride. Massenet's score is breathtaking in its depiction of each stage of Manon and Des Grieux's relationship. I love the Swamp Pas de Deux because of how much passion and heart-ache is involved in it. Manon is hanging onto mere threads of life as her lover tries to escape with her. It's truly heartbreaking but incredibly beautiful to watch. The choreography and the immense athleticism involved with the lifts for the male counterpart is incredible. I think though, the main appeal to me is the music and the dramatisism that it creates when paired with such incredible choreography. Below is Sylvie Guillem and Jonathan Cope dancing this beautiful piece.
