Aids Quote by August Bournonville
“The Dance can, with the aid of music, rise to the heights of poetry. On the other hand, through an excess of gymnastics it can also degenerate into buffoonery. So-called "difficult" feats can be executed by countless adepts, but the appearance of ease is achieved only by the chosen few.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Les Ballets de l'Opéra de Paris, 1840s
Dance can become poetic with music, but excessive gymnastics reduces it to comedy; true ease is rare and earned by few.
In simple terms: Music lifts dance to poetry; too much gymnastics makes it comic; ease is for the chosen.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between artistry and technique.
Themes
art
poetry
technique
balance
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
artistic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Ballet rehearsals
- stage performances
- dance education
- choreography
- audience perception
Key Concepts
Aesthetic theory
performance psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can dancers maintain poetic quality?
- When does technical display become excess?
A Different Perspective
Even with skill, overemphasis on difficulty can undermine artistic expression.
