SA
New book | Bohuslav Martinů and dance
The Academy of Performing Arts Press has published a new monograph, Bohuslav Martinů and Dance, which, for the very first time, provides a comprehensive overview of the composer’s ballet works and their theatrical and historical contexts. The book’s author is the journalist and dance therapist Lucie Dercsényi, who draws on extensive archival research, including previously unpublished material. The publication provides detailed documentation of all of Martinů’s ballets, traces the dance interpretations of his concert works, and also highlights opera productions in which dance plays a fundamental role.
„Martinů admired dance and had a deep understanding of it. Through his ballets, he brought about a fundamental shift in the perception of dance and music on the Czech dance scene. He always had a clear vision of how his works should look, as is evident from the large number of notes preserved directly in the scores. He recognised the uniqueness of dance as a form of expression and understood its expressive potential, yet he fundamentally rejected purely classical dance technique,” says the book’s author, Lucie Dercsényi.
The launch of the book will take place on 23 September at 6.00 pm at Lžička Café (Tržiště 12, Prague 1).
A comprehensive review by Lucie Kocourková has been published on the Opera Plus website; can be read here: Tanec na pultech knihkupectví: Bohuslav Martinů ve víru avantgardy a moderního baletu
