Études (ballet)

"Études" is a ballet by Danish dancer and choreographer Harald Lander with original score by Carl Czerny and piano studies arranged by Knudaage Riisager. It is considered Lander's most famous choreographic work and brought him international fame.

"Études" is considered an homage to classical ballet training. It is a one-act ballet that begins with traditional ballet exercises at a barre and ends with spectacular bravura displays. It premiered on the 15th of January, 1948 at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen with the Royal Danish Ballet with scenery and costumes by Rolf Gerard and lighting by Nananne Porcher.

The original cast included: Margot Lander, Hans Brenaa, Svend Erik Jensen, Inge Sand and Inge Goth. Its ABT premiere at the 54th Street Theatre in New York took place on the 5th of October, 1961 and featured dancers Toni Lander, Royes Fernandez, Bruce Marks, Eleanor D'Antuono and Elisabeth Carroll.

Sections

The order of the various sections of the ballet, as recorded by the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky in 1997, include:

"- Overture (exercises at the barre)"
"- Tendus, Grands battements, fondus and frappes"
"- Ronds de jambe"
"- Silhouetter-au milieu"
"- Adagio"
"- Port de Bras et pas de badin"
"- Mirror Dance"
"- Ensemble"
"- Romantic Pas de deux"
"- Sortie"
"- Conclusion"
"- Pirouettes"
"- Releves"
"- Piques et grands pirouettes"
"- Solo for the Prima Ballerina"
"- Coda"
"- Small Leaps"
"- Mazurka"
"- Tarantella"
"- Broad Leaps (Finale)"