2 replies to this topic

[kbarber]

Second post in my "etymology of ballet terms" series: http://toursenlair.b...rd-fouette.html

[bart]

Fascinating.  Didn't know about the beech saplings (fouets).  I did know that fouette is connected with "whipped," but have to confess that I associate this with a non-ballet mental image of Julia Child maniacally beating up a meringue or a souffle in a metal bowl cradled in her arm.  

I don't recall seeing anything like way Valdes places her 3 sets of multiple pirouettes.  She interrupts them with simple but strong    single fouettes.  Each of the pirouette sequences reflects (or is reflected by) a change in music.  This is rather an austere combination, which makes it even more exciting.  

Some Odiles may be flashier, but this is the only one I would actually be afraid of, if I came across her whipping down a dark street late at night.

[Moonlily]

bart, on 22 August 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

Some Odiles may be flashier, but this is the only one I would actually be afraid of, if I came across her whipping down a dark street late at night.

What a nice...eh, frightening image! But it is exactly that kind of feeling.

Thank you again, kbarber, for the very insightful explanation!