Ballet Evolved - August Bournonville 1805-1879

Continuing our exploration of the history of ballet, former Principal with The Royal Ballet, Johan Kobborg introduces the style of August Bournonville in rehearsal with Artist Marcelino Sambé. With former ballet mistress Ursula Hageli and pianist Tim Qualtrough.

[@fredrika27]

I'm just floored! Marcelino Sambé picked up Bournonville's technique so quickly! Johan Kobborg is a fantastic teacher! It's a pity that not everyone has such good teachers. Johan taught several simple techniques in less than ten minutes! Kudos to Marcelino who is a quick learner! Fantastic work! Keep it up!

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

There really is no such thing as "Bournonville style". For a very, very long time he has been credited with the creation of, or at the very least with the perfection of, a style of dancing that really was not created by him at all. The so-called "Bournonville" style is the French style of classical ballet without the Italian influence. Russian ballet is to a large extent the morphing together of the French & Italian schools. Although Bournonville certainly codified & perfected the teaching methods of the french style, he by no means invented it. From the point-of-view of Bournonville's ballets & in particular of his choreography, there really isn't anything special about him. He was a provincial ballet master not unlike many of the scores of other ballet masters in his day who were employed at the great opera houses & theatrical schools of Europe. But unlike many if not all of his contemporaries, August Bournonville's choreography & even many of his works managed to survive merely as a result of the roll of the historic dice. When Pierre Lacotte staged his truncated, nothing-to-do-with-Petipa production of "The Pharaoh's Daughter" at the Bolshoi in 2000, dancers & audiences alike referred to the choreography as "looking like Bournonville". Lacotte simply employed the more intricate footwork, less "jumpy" or heavily reliant upon "ballon" style of dancing as he had learned from his own teachers, in particular the great Lyubov Egorova.

[@bubble8829]

Johann Kobborg is so SMART! It's like he can almost read Mr Sambe's mind, and he can tell so quickly where there's an issue and where to hone in, and is so articulate in explaining it. And what a lovely sense of humour. :-) This is just a simple coaching session without even any music until the end, and it's so exciting!

[@MsVaughn75]

Wonderful. I was left wanting to watch a whole class worth of his coaching!

[@annataylor5042]

MsVaughn75 me too, I'd watch a full rehearsal. So interesting to see the impact a few slight adjustments make.

[@matthewlaguerre]

love the comments of the coach. great artistic integrity.

[@nellivorobyova4329]

Прекрасное Искусство Балета, нежное, воздушное, ОБОЖАЮ!!!Книга Августа Ьурнонвиля у меня на почётном месте...Много лет прошло,но ПАМЯТЬ о Любимом Хореографе жива, СВЕТЛАЯ, ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ этому ТАЛАНТУ...

[@markbeck8384]

I enjoyed the coaching..could have listened to it on and on. The Bournonville style seems hard when you have been learning a lot more Russian approach; but I think it is very agreeable. Of course, Johan Kobborg is a wonderful artist to teach it.

[@joycemann9787]

So very clear now as to how the Bournonville style evolved and how it differs from other styles. Fabulous!

[@tbapbt]

lovely coaching

[@RS-be7iy]

Was interested in Bournonville historically and was happy to find this video.

[@lollylula6399]

I love Johan Kobborg, he's my favourite male ballet dancer ever. Great to see him here, wish we could see more of him coaching

[@Fundipped13]

Marcelino is so adorable!!! I love him!!!

[@karinajansson8431]

Johan ! Such personality what a gift he start choreographing!!

[@altongrimes]

This series was expertly crafted

[@Quartz_Composer]

Bournonville is awesome! We did a few variations last year, their bourres are super weird though.

[@noblesetsentimentales]

+CurlyQue415 The bourrées are? In what way?

[@sian2337]

I wish it could've gone on a little more.

[@BytomGirl]

Love Bournonville's Conservatory and La Sylphide..

[@laruefichtner]

I really, really loved this. Quite a contrast from Russian style I am used to :)

[@mindlessjamila]

Marcelino is REALLLYY REALLLY HOT and hes a GREAT dancer

[@slimyweasles4973]

Amen

[@sunnyballet]

wonderful. Dancer and coaching.

[@anniezagAnnie0854]

Amazing! Very interesting! Thank you!

[@lolita7426]

Can you post more videos of Marcelino, please ?THANKS !

[@lolita7426]

thanks frederico bom ano novo

[@Fonseca429]

Força, Marcelino! Tens que fazer sucesso aí e trazer-nos orgulho.

[@Bmoney902]

Is Bournonville style the reason Johan Kobborg has that amazing sturdy-looking core? I love what I have seen of this style!

[@jacepauly7875]

+Bron Stormborn I am sure that Johan has a gorgeous body and ridiculous core strength but it appears he is wearing a back brace under his shirt? I believe he was nursing an injury at the time.

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

"Bron Stormborn" - LOL!! You def get the award for best handle!! LOL! There really is no such thing as "Bournonville style". For a very, very long time he has been credited with the creation of, or at the very least with the perfection of, a style of dancing that really was not created by him at all. To put it simply, "Bournonville" is the French style of classical ballet without the Italian influence. Russian ballet is to a large extent the morphing together of the French & Italian schools. Although Bournonville certainly codified & perfected the teaching methods of the french style, but he by no means invented it. From the point-of-view of Bournonville's ballets & in particular of his choreography, there really isn't anything special about him. He was a provincial ballet master not unlike many of the scores of other ballet masters in his day who were employed at the great opera houses & theatrical schools of Europe. But unlike many if not all of his contemporaries, August Bournonville's choreography & even many of his works managed to survive merely as a result of the roll of the historic dice. When Pierre Lacotte staged his truncated, nothing-to-do-with-Petipa production of "The Pharaoh's Daughter" at the Bolshoi in 2000, dancers & audiences alike referred to the choreography as "looking like Bournonville". Lacotte simply employed the more intricate footwork, less "jumpy" or heavily reliant upon "ballon" style of dancing as he had learned from his own teachers, in particular the great Lyubov Egorova.

[@Bmoney902]

mrlopez2681 Ahhh! Thank you for this information!

[@KoriEmerson]

YES it seems very "butch" if that is a good way to put it . I love it

[@carlosvisintin3154]

Please, more male ballet videos.

[@johannerahbk8602]

janteloven shining through

[@michaelstrauss4406]

But in a good way .

[@katn1751]

Is this anywhere complete and not in small videos?

[@KoriEmerson]

The Danish technique seems much more stoic.. more... husky but in a soft way.. if that makes any scence .

[@danieltaboga2865]

this dancer looks like Fernando Bujones

[@Melissaheartt]

Yaaasss he was born that way cause Lady Gaga had just dropped her iconic legendary album and title track, Born This Way, the impact

[@gabooper]

oh god i am not liking bournonville at all... not my thing! i do appreciate their work though

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

There really is no such thing as "Bournonville style". For a very, very long time he has been credited with the creation of, or at the very least with the perfection of, a style of dancing that really was not created by him at all. "Bournonville" is the French style of classical ballet with its intricate footwork, without the Italian influence with ballon, big jumps etc. Russian ballet is to a large extent the morphing together of the French & Italian schools. Although Bournonville certainly codified & perfected the teaching methods of the french style, he by no means invented it. From the point-of-view of Bournonville's ballets & in particular of his choreography, there really isn't anything special about him. He was a provincial ballet master not unlike many of the scores of other ballet masters in his day who were employed at the great opera houses & theatrical schools of Europe. But unlike many if not all of his contemporaries, August Bournonville's choreography & even many of his works managed to survive merely as a result of the roll of the historic dice. When Pierre Lacotte staged his truncated, nothing-to-do-with-Petipa production of "The Pharaoh's Daughter" at the Bolshoi in 2000, dancers & audiences alike referred to the choreography as "looking like Bournonville". Lacotte simply employed the more intricate footwork, less "jumpy" or heavily reliant upon "ballon" style of dancing as he had learned from his own teachers, in particular the great Lyubov Egorova.

[@zohraghezaili7564]

Rien à voir avec les russes. Passez votre tour.

[@Losangelesharvey]

the artist is better than the master...

[@margondine]

Everyone gets older. Not everyone evolves into a good teacher.