Italian dances: history and their varieties

In the world there are many peoples who communicate in different languages. But not only in words people have spoken throughout history. With the purpose of spiritualizing their emotions and thoughts in ancient times, songs and dances were used.

Dance art against the background of cultural development

Italian culture is of great importance against the backdrop of world achievements. The beginning of its rapid growth coincides with the birth of a new era - the Renaissance. Actually, the Renaissance occurs precisely in Italy and for some time develops internally, without touching other countries. His first successes fall on the XIV-XV century. Later from Italy spread all over Europe. The development of folklore also begins in the 14th century. A fresh spirit of art, a different attitude to peace and society, a change in values directly reflected in folk dances.

Influence of the Renaissance: New Pa and Balli

In the Middle Ages, Italian movements to music were performed step-wise, smoothly, with swaying. The Renaissance changed attitudes toward God, which was reflected in folklore. Italian dances have acquired vigor and vibrant movements. So na na "full stop" symbolized the earthly origin of man, his connection with the gifts of nature. And the movement "on toes" or "with a jump" identified man's desire for God and his glorification. They are based on Italian dance heritage. Their combination was called "balli" or "ballo".

Italian folk music instruments of the Renaissance

Works of folklore were performed under accompaniment. The following tools were used for this:

• Harpsichord (Italian "chibalo"). First mentions: Italy, XIV century.
• Tambourine (a kind of tambourine, the ancestor of the modern drum). Dancers used it also during movements.
• Violin (bow instrument, born in the XV century). Her Italian version is viola.
• Lute (plucked stringed instrument.)
• Dudki, flutes and oboes.

Dance Diversity

The musical world of Italy has acquired diversity. The emergence of new instruments and melodies prompted vigorous movements to the beat. National Italian dances were born and developed. Their names were formed, often based on the territorial principle. There were many of their varieties. The main Italian dances known today are Bergamask, Galliard, Saltarella, Pavan, Tarantella and Pizzicum.

Bergamask: classic points

Bergamask - popular Italian folk dance of the XVI-XVII centuries, out of fashion after, but left a corresponding musical heritage. Native region: north of Italy, province of Bergamo. The music in this dance is fun, rhythmic. The size of the clock - a complex four-lobed. Movement - simple, smooth, paired, possible changes between pairs in the process. Initially, the folk dance fell in love with the court during the Renaissance.

The first literary mention of him was seen in William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. At the end of the XVIII century from the dance folklore Bergamask gradually turns into a cultural heritage. Many composers used this style in the process of writing their works: Marco Ucchelini, Solomon Rossi, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach.

By the end of the XIX century, another interpretation of Bergamaski appeared. It was characterized by a complex mixed size of a musical meter, at a faster rate (A. Piatti, K. Debussy). To date, preserved echoes of folklore Bergamaski, which are successfully trying to translate into ballet and theatrical productions, using the appropriate stylistic musical accompaniment.

Galliard: cheerful dances

Gallardo is an ancient Italian dance, one of the first folk songs. Appeared in the XV century. In translation means "cheerful". Actually, he is very cheerful, energetic and rhythmic. It is a complex combination of five pa and jumps. This is a paired folk dance that has gained popularity on aristocratic balls in Italy, France, England, Spain, Germany.

In the XV-XVI centuries, the galliard became fashionable due to its jocular form, gay, direct rhythm. Lost popularity due to evolution and transformation into a standard prudish court dance style. At the end of the XVII century, completely switched to music.

The primary galliard is characterized by a moderate tempo, the length of the meter is a simple three-lobed one. In later periods, they are performed with a corresponding rhythm. This galliard was characterized by a complex length of the musical meter. Known modern works in this style are characterized by a slower and more relaxed pace. Composers who used junk music in their works: V. Galilei, V. Breik, B. Donato, W. Byrd and others.

Saltarella: wedding fun

Saltarella (Saltarello) is the most ancient Italian dance. He is quite cheerful and rhythmic. It is accompanied by a combination of steps, jumps, turns and bows. Origin: from the Italian saltare - "jump". The first mention of this kind of folk art dates back to the XII century. Originally was a public dance in the musical accompaniment of a simple two- or three-lobed size. Since the XVIII century, smoothly reborn in a pair of Saltarella to music of complex sizes. Stylistics has survived until now.

In the XIX-XX century - it turned into a massive Italian wedding dance, which danced at the celebrations on the occasion of marriages. By the way, at that time they were often timed to harvest. In the XXI - it is executed on some carnivals. Music in this style was developed in the compositions of many authors: F. Mendelssohn, H. Berlioz, A. Castellono, R. Barto, B. Bazurov.

Pavane: graceful solemnity

Pavan is an old Italian ballroom dance, which was performed exclusively at the court. Another name is known - padovana (from the name of the Italian city Padova, from the Latin pava - peacock). This dance is slow, elegant, solemn, artsy. The combination of movements consists of simple and double steps, curtsies and periodic changes in the location of partners relative to each other. Danced not only on points, but also at the beginning of processions or ceremonies.

The Italian Pavane, having entered the court balls of other countries, has mutated. It became a kind of dance "dialect". Thus, Spanish influence led to the emergence of "pavanilia", and the French - to "passametstso." The music under which the pas were performed was slow, two-lobed. Percussion instruments accentuate the rhythm and important moments of the composition. The dance gradually went out of fashion, preserved in the works of musical heritage (P. Attenyan, I. Shane, K. Saint-Saens, M. Ravel).

Tarantella: the personification of Italian temperament

Tarantella - a folk dance of Italy, preserved to this day. He is passionate, energetic, rhythmic, cheerful, relentless. Italian dance tarantella is the visiting card of local residents. It consists of a combination of jumps (including sideways) with alternate ejection of the leg either forward or backward. It was named after the city of Taranto. There is also another version. It was said that people bitten by a spider tarantula, were exposed to a disease - tarantism. The ailment was very similar to rabies, from which they tried to heal in the process of non-stop fast movements.

Music is performed in a simple three-legged or complex size. She is fast and cheerful. Characteristics:

1. Combination of the main instruments (including keyboards) with additional instruments, which are in the hands of the dancers (tambourines and castanets).
2. Lack of standard music.
3. Improvisation of musical instruments within a known rhythm.

Rhythmicity inherent in the movements in his compositions was used by F. Schubert, F. Chopin, F. Mendelson, P. Tchaikovsky. Tarantella is still a colorful folk dance, the foundations of which are owned by every patriot. And in the 21st century, it continues to massively dance on merry family holidays and lavish weddings.

Pizzika: a clockwork dance fight

Pizzika is a fast Italian dance, derived from the tarantella. Became a dance direction of Italian folklore due to the appearance of its own distinctive features. If the tarantella is predominantly a massive dance, the pizzic has become exceptionally paired. Even more clockwork and energetic, he received some warlike notes. The movements of the two dancers resemble a duel, in which cheerful opponents compete.

Often it is performed by ladies with several gentlemen in turn. At the same time, carrying out vigorous movements, the young lady expressed her originality, independence, a violent feminine and, as a result, rejecting each of them. The cavaliers succumbed to pressure, demonstrating their admiration for the woman. This individual particular character is peculiar only to pizzicism. In some ways, she describes the passionate Italian nature. Gained popularity in the XVIII century, pizzic did not lose it to this day. Continues to be performed at fairs and carnivals, family celebrations and theatrical and ballet performances.

The appearance of a new kind of dance led to the creation of an appropriate musical accompaniment. Appears "pizzicato" - a way of performing works on stringed stringed instruments, but not actually by a bow, but by pinching them. As a result, absolutely different sounds and melodies appear.

Italian dances in the history of world choreography

Originating as a folk art, having penetrated into the aristocratic ballrooms, dances fell in love in society. There was a need for systematization and concretization of the pas for the purpose of amateur and professional training. The first theoretical choreographers were Italians: Domenico da Piacenza (XIV-XV), Guglielmo Embrio, Fabricio Caroso (XVI). These works, along with honing the movements and their stylization, served as the basis for the world development of the ballet.

Meanwhile, at the sources stood cheerful simple rural and urban dancers dancing saltarella or tarantella. The temperament of the Italians is passionate and lively. The era of the Renaissance is mysterious and majestic. These features also characterize Italian dances. Their heritage is the basis for the development of dance art in the world as a whole. Their features are a reflection of the history, character, emotions and psychology of the whole people through many centuries.