Predictability and Inevitability in Dance-Music Relationships in Mark Morris's Falling Down Stairs

Sometimes relationships between choreography and music can seem so natural that one might jump to the conclusion that the choreographer has found the only possible acceptable relation to the music and thus that, somehow, the relationship must be "predictable." But that is not the case: if...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dance chronicle 2008-01, Vol.31 (2), p.239-257
Main Author: Duerden, Rachel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bourree
Choreography
Dance
Dancers & choreographers
Gestures
Morris dance
Morris, Mark
Music
Musical aesthetics
Musical forms
Musical phrases
Musical rhythm
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Summary:Sometimes relationships between choreography and music can seem so natural that one might jump to the conclusion that the choreographer has found the only possible acceptable relation to the music and thus that, somehow, the relationship must be "predictable." But that is not the case: if the relationship is felicitous, it is because it is not at all predictable, but, rather, offers a deeply satisfying sense of the inevitable, which is not at all the same thing. In fact, we are led through a journey of unpredictability, a journey that offers a rich complexity of choice and the opportunity to rethink our relation to the work constantly, but rewardingly, if it successfully maintains the balance of certainly and uncertainty that is both stimulating and satisfying.
ISSN:0147-2526
1532-4257
DOI:10.1080/01472520802118418