In Memoriam - Balanchine and Mourka the Cat - In Remembrance of The Thirtieth Anniversary of George Balanchine's Death
This is not my photo... I am posting it because of the anniversary...
Balanchine and Mourka
copyright by Martha Swope
From the book "Mourka: The Autobiography of a Cat "
by Tanaquil LeClercq Balanchine
The book appears to be out of print...
From jacket flap: Mourka, an extraordinary alley cat is one of famed choreographer George Balanchine's prize pupils. He has learned to do entre-chats, pas de chats and even a grand jete. When photographer Martha Swope caught Mourka doing one of his spectacular leaps, Life magazine printed the memorable photo and Mourka's reputation was made instantly for millions of Americans. Here, Miss Swope's pictures and Miss Le Clercq's text convey his many exploits and suggest that Mourka may well be the most accomplished feline in the world.
George Balanchine's cat Mourka executing a grand jeté... (Not really, as there is no 180 degree "split" as a human dancer would do in this jump...;)) Well, that may not be true if you include a forward paw and a hind paw...;))
Grand jeté
A long horizontal jump, starting from one leg and landing on the other. Known as a split in the air. It is most often done forward and usually involves doing full leg splits in mid-air. It consists basically of a grand écart with a moving jump. The front leg brushes straight into the air, as opposed to performing dévelopé or "unfolding" motion. The back leg follows making the splits in the air. It can be performed en avant (forward), à la seconde (to the side), en arrière (backward), and en tournant (turning en dedans).The dancer must remember to hit the fullest split at the height of the jump, with weight pushed slightly forward, giving the dancer a gliding appearance. Very likely or commonly used in modern ballet, as well.
"Mourka: The Autobiography of a Cat "
by Tanaquil LeClercq Balanchine
- I add, Cats are natural ballet dancers... "Pas De Chat" ...;))
FYI - today marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of the great choreographer, George Balanchine. What a wonderful life he lived and what amazing BALLETS he created:)
Miss Cecily asked me to post something about him on her blog. Of course I wanted to post it to Flickr too..
Arizona Ballet Theatre
and also on Facebook...
www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Ballet-Theatre/11437399527...
Maria Tallchief, aka Wa-Xthe-Thomba - Woman of Two Worlds - who was, I believe, his first wife, died on April 11th of this year, 12013.
www.obitoftheday.com/post/48038912535/obit-of-the-day-wa-...
In Memoriam - Balanchine and Mourka the Cat - In Remembrance of The Thirtieth Anniversary of George Balanchine's Death
This is not my photo... I am posting it because of the anniversary...
Balanchine and Mourka
copyright by Martha Swope
From the book "Mourka: The Autobiography of a Cat "
by Tanaquil LeClercq Balanchine
The book appears to be out of print...
From jacket flap: Mourka, an extraordinary alley cat is one of famed choreographer George Balanchine's prize pupils. He has learned to do entre-chats, pas de chats and even a grand jete. When photographer Martha Swope caught Mourka doing one of his spectacular leaps, Life magazine printed the memorable photo and Mourka's reputation was made instantly for millions of Americans. Here, Miss Swope's pictures and Miss Le Clercq's text convey his many exploits and suggest that Mourka may well be the most accomplished feline in the world.
George Balanchine's cat Mourka executing a grand jeté... (Not really, as there is no 180 degree "split" as a human dancer would do in this jump...;)) Well, that may not be true if you include a forward paw and a hind paw...;))
Grand jeté
A long horizontal jump, starting from one leg and landing on the other. Known as a split in the air. It is most often done forward and usually involves doing full leg splits in mid-air. It consists basically of a grand écart with a moving jump. The front leg brushes straight into the air, as opposed to performing dévelopé or "unfolding" motion. The back leg follows making the splits in the air. It can be performed en avant (forward), à la seconde (to the side), en arrière (backward), and en tournant (turning en dedans).The dancer must remember to hit the fullest split at the height of the jump, with weight pushed slightly forward, giving the dancer a gliding appearance. Very likely or commonly used in modern ballet, as well.
"Mourka: The Autobiography of a Cat "
by Tanaquil LeClercq Balanchine
- I add, Cats are natural ballet dancers... "Pas De Chat" ...;))
FYI - today marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of the great choreographer, George Balanchine. What a wonderful life he lived and what amazing BALLETS he created:)
Miss Cecily asked me to post something about him on her blog. Of course I wanted to post it to Flickr too..
Arizona Ballet Theatre
and also on Facebook...
www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Ballet-Theatre/11437399527...
Maria Tallchief, aka Wa-Xthe-Thomba - Woman of Two Worlds - who was, I believe, his first wife, died on April 11th of this year, 12013.
www.obitoftheday.com/post/48038912535/obit-of-the-day-wa-...