Shifting Notions of Spectacle in Maurice Ravel’s La Valse
ORCiD
0000-0001-8385-7250 (Wells)
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Conference Title
Dance and Spectacle: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Society of Dance History Scholars Conference, University of Surrey, July 11, 2010
Organization
Society of Dance History Scholars
Location
University of Surrey, London, England, United Kingdom
Conference Dates
July 9-11, 2010
Date of Presentation
7-9-2010
Abstract
The concept of “spectacle” has high and low cultural connotations; Ravel’s choreographic poem La Valse challenges both meanings. Ravel composed La Valse in 1920 and intended it to be a ballet about nothing but the waltz itself. Unfortunately many productions of the ballet have had issues with choreography and reception, particularly regarding its dramatic ending. This presentation will uncover how La Valse disrupted established conventions of waltz and ballet as they relate to notions of both high and low culture. Ravel created a new kind of spectacle, which proved confusing for 20th century French audiences.
First Page
9
Last Page
18
Publisher
Society of Dance History Scholars
Recommended Citation
Wells, V. A.
(2010).
Shifting Notions of Spectacle in Maurice Ravel’s La Valse.
Paper presented at Dance and Spectacle: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Society of Dance History Scholars Conference, University of Surrey, July 11, 2010 in University of Surrey, London, England, United Kingdom.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/libraries-pres/82
Comments
Conference website