Technical Tuesday Penchée
Few things in ballet are as beautiful as a perfectly executed
penchée, especially if that penchée is in arabesque and the leg goes high
enough to become the coveted “six-o’clock” penchée. Penchées are most often
done in arabesque, but may also be performed in other positions. The word
itself means “inclined” or “leaning”, and that is what happens, more or less.
The dancer leans forward (or side or back) and the working leg extends higher
as the dancer’s torso descends.
In any penchée, the distance between the working leg and the
torso must be maintained. This means that the dancer may only go forward (or
side or back) as much as she can until this distance is at the point of being
broken.
There are several secrets to a successful penchée. First,
the weight must be maintained over the ball of the foot, and this means the
dancer must be aware of the point of no
return where the extension tops out and the dancer’s weight begins to pull
back toward the supporting heel. Also, a constant energy through the working
leg must be maintained. And finally, the descent must be gradual. It isn’t a
race.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #21g:
“The word “penchée”
means leaning or inclined.”
Link of the Day:
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of the Day:
“Though nobody
can go back and make a new beginning... Anyone can start over and make a new
ending.”
― Chico Xavier
― Chico Xavier
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