World history of the dance / by Curt Sachs ; translated by Bessie Schönberg.

Author/creator Sachs, Curt
Other author Schönberg, Bessie.
Format Book
Publication InfoNew York : W.W. Norton, 1963.
Descriptionix, 469 pages : illustrations ; 20 cm.
Subjects
Dance--History.

Uniform titleWeltgeschichte des Tanzes. English
SeriesNorton library ; N209
Norton library ; N209. ^A910560
Contents Part One: Dance throughout the world. Movements. General characteristics ; Dances out of harmony with the body (Pure convulsive dances ; Weakened convulsive dances) ; Dances in harmony with the body (Expanded dances ; Close dances) -- Themes and types. General characteristics ; The imageless dance (General characteristics ; Medicine dances ; Fertility dances ; Initiation dances ; Marriage dances ; Funeral and scalp dances ; War dance) ; The image dance (General characteristics ; Animal dances ; Fertility dances ; Initiation dances ; Funeral dances ; Weapon dances) ; Crossing of both types (General characteristics ; Fertility dances ; Initiation dances ; Weapon dances ; Astral dances ; The masked dance) -- Forms and choreography. Forms (Individual dances) ; Choral dances (Classification ; Rounds ; Serpentine rounds ; Choral front dances ; Place changing chorals ; Return dances ; Left and right ; Couple dances ; The sexes) -- Music. Nature sounds ; Rhythmic accompaniment ; Melody and its relation to the dance -- Part Two: Dance throughout the ages. The Stone Age. The protolithic period (Lower paleolithic culture ; Middle paleolithic culture (pygmies) ; Late basic culture) ; Tribal cultures (The neolithic period and the early tribal cultures ; The protoneolithic period and the middle tribal cultures ; The neolithic period proper, the metal age, and the late tribal cultures) -- The evolution to the spectacular dance and the oriental civilizations. Them and style -- Europe since antiquity. The classical period (Greece ; Rome) ; Northern antiquity and the early middle ages ; The late middle ages (The great outburst of dance ecstasy ; The pre-Minnesinger period ; The Minnesinger period) ; The fifteenth century (General characteristics ; The movements ; The dances) ; 1500-1650: the age of the galliard (General characteristics ; The movements ; Open couple dances ; Closed couple dances ; Choral rounds) ; 1650-1750: the age of the minuet (General characteristics ; The movements ; Couple dances ; Choral dances) ; 1750-1900: the age of the waltz (The waltz ; The polka and related dances ; Choral dances ; The exhibition dance) ; The twentieth century: the tango period.
Abstract This book is the most comprehensive history to appear before the public of the art which has been so fundamental an expression in every period of human history. It contains a discussion of the general types and characteristics of the dance, and also deals specifically with its forms and symbols from the Stone Age through classical antiquity, the middle ages, the 18th century, and the not so distant era of the waltz and polka, to the 20th century. More inclusive than any other art, the dance has been associated with every phase of human life. In relation to their historical setting the author deals with the magic powers attributed to the dance, and such motives as fertility, war, marriage and health. We read that the Indian divorces his wife in the dance and, when he is ill, dances to dispel the disease; and that once in front of the Turkish soldiers sixty Greek mothers and girls danced the old Romaiika as they threw themselves one after another into the abyss. The book includes analyses of many forms of the art--sitting dances, dances of the hands, solo, group and couple dances--and a discussion of rhythm and melody in relation to the dance.
General note"Published in Germany under the title: 'Eine Weltgeschichte des Tanzes'."
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN0393022056
ISBN9780393022056

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks GV1601.S27 1963 ✔ Available Place Hold