Robert North - DATM

Question 1

When was the piece first performed?

Answer 1

First performed by Ballet Ramber 1984. However originally performed at LCDT in 1980

Question 2

How many dancers

Answer 2

5 women, 4 men

Question 3

Who composed the music?

Answer 3

Shuberts score of the same name written in 1824 - first and second movements

Question 4

What’s the costume

Answer 4

• simple
• shades of grey and black
• reminiscent of Graham costumes

Question 5

What’s the set

Answer 5

no set - plain cyclorama

Question 6

What are the themes

Answer 6

• emotions felt by a young girl facing death
• fear, resistance, acceptance and final death

Question 7

Key Movement Example

Answer 7

1. wings of an angle - Arms spread out in a high V position
2. covering of eyes/ears to show ‘death’ is blinding and deafening the ‘Maiden’
3. duets walk slowly around ‘Death’ and the ‘Maiden’ who are centre stage to represent the idea of friends and family seeing her for the last time
4. ‘Death’ seemingly chooses the ‘Maiden’ when he grabs her as she runs towards USR
5. Death wipes his arm out to hit the maiden on the back of the head and she contracts slowly
6. in section 1 - the repetition of bows is used to represent social respect of bowing head when someone dies
7. the maidens flailing gestures symbolises the rejection of death and fighting to stay alive
8. a crescent shape symbolic of a ‘scythe’ is used to represent cutting off the maidens senses - eyes, ears and mouth
9. frantic lifts in ‘Premontitions’ section reflects the mood of fast, high-pitched strings
10. folk steps used to compliment the rhythmical qualities of the music.