Arts
In this episode, David discusses the importance of barre work and how it prepares the dancer for the centre, and how many of the steps and exercises from the barre can be done in the centre.The team also talk about the centre work being more performance based as if being on stage, with the freedom to move and change direction and transfer weight. As with most of the barre exercises, the pianists discuss the importance of playing with a little rubato as you begin to accompany dancers in the centre, helping them achieve the steps and exercises without the constraint of music in a strict metre.The pianists also reveal to the listeners some of the tricks they use to keep their repertoire fresh and interesting, and to avoid repeating themselves musically, along with some funny anecdotes as usual.David poses many questions to the three pianists, about how they keep the flow of class going through the musical interpretation, what they think about when they aren’t playing, ways to keep the dancers entertained and inspired, as well as personal challenges involving technique and broadening repertoire.We learn from this episode how mischievous Chris can be during class, always pushing the envelope and testing the teachers and dancers, to keep them listening and learning!Support the show (https://www.balletpianopodcast.com/the-podcast)