Annual Fall Ballet showcases talent of music, dance

Aesthetic and aural beauty combine Friday and Saturday during the annual Fall Ballet. Presented by the IU Ballet Theater, these performances will encompass a wide variety of dance styles, exhibit choreography by four members of the Ballet Department faculty and feature a new composition by music professor Don Freund.\nJacques Cesbron, ballet professor and choreographer for the "Earthdance Concerto," initiated the first Fall Ballet 14 years ago. \n"Before that time, the Ballet Department only produced 'The Nutcracker' and the Spring Ballet," he said. "We had plenty of time to prepare for these two productions, but we also had a great deal of time in the fall semester which I thought could be filled." \nThe Fall Ballet keeps IU dancers busy during the first semester, with daily rehearsals that can last for up to three hours. Dancers attend a technique class from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. each day, followed by a two hour pointe class and then rehearsal for the Fall Ballet. With only five weeks of rehearsal before their first performance, this demanding schedule is necessary.\nFeaturing the choreography of Violette Verdy, Virginia Cesbron and George Balanchine, the Fall Ballet will present works from Fritz Kreisler, Mikhail Glinka and Antonio Vivaldi. \nCesbron, who is also the choreographer for IU's production of "The Nutcracker," made the decision of using not only pianists, but musicians from the School of Music to accompany the Fall Ballet. \n"We have (here at IU) one of the best music schools in the world," he said. "Why shouldn\'t we use these musicians in combination with our dancers?\"\nThis year, brings a new addition to the Fall Ballet. Composition professor Don Freund will introduce an original composition,"Earthdance Concerto." The fourth selection of the Fall Ballet production, "Earthdance Concerto" combines Freund's powerful composition style with Cesbron's love of modern dance. \n"This is the third ballet I've written for Jacques, though I think this is definitely the best," said Freund. "After Jacques knew what he wanted from a dance standpoint, he approached me with his ideas and asked me to compose a piece around them. Though there are immediate constraints that accomballetpany a collaborative work, these constraints begin to feed the creative process, and actually assist in the composition of the piece."\nFreund and Cesbron have recruited about 60 musicians from the School of Music to accompany the ballet for the "Earthdance Concerto." \nThe piece features a strong woodwind section, and provides a variety of moods and settings which are characteristic of contemporary dance. The "Earthdance Concerto" will also feature associate professor and pianist Emile Naoumoff, who has accompanied the ballet in past years.\n"The Fall Ballet is a performance that showcases many different styles of ballet," said Doricha Sales, Assistant Director of the Pre-College Ballet Program and ballet mistress for the "Earthdance Concerto." \n"It will give the entire audience a nice variety of dance to watch. Even if you've never seen a ballet in your life, this Fall Ballet is extremely beautiful, and anyone can appreciate it."\nThe Fall Ballet will be performed in the Musical Arts Center, Oct. 5th and 6th at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 - $18 ($10 for students) and are available through the Musical Arts Center box office.