Even the most devoted of music connoisseurs tend to neglect the large body of romantic ballet works, perhaps because they assume that composers adopted a painting-by-numbers approach to writing. Indeed, when Tchaikovsky began composing Sleeping Beauty, he had to adhere to the detailed instructions—e.g. "coquettish allegro" in 3/4 for 48 bars—of ballet master Marius Petipa, who dictated the dancers' movements in relation to the plot.
Tchaikovsky and other 19th-century composers, though, realized these predetermined structures with style, and the rhythmic regularity characteristic of ballet scores provides the ideal soundtrack for movement of all kinds. Fitness enthusiasts can incorporate into their workouts celebrated ballets like Swan Lake, as well as breathe new life into the ballets of less-known composers such as by Ludwig Minkus and Adolphe Adam.
While stretching, listen to the opening adagio from a pas de deux (typically the love duet of the main characters), whose elegant melodies inspire fluidity of motion. Tchaikovsky's ballets have particularly compelling adagios, and Khachaturian's Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia is an excellent neo-romantic pick, but any ballet will do.
Following that, a brief and upbeat solo dance, or variation, will get you in gear. Kitri's spirited variations from Minkus's Don Quixote and the odalisque variations from Adam's Le Corsaire are among the liveliest works of the genre. Ensemble scenes can also provide excellent workout motivation. Listen to the Lezghinka (a dance of the Caucasus region) from Khachaturian's Gayane, or the better-known Sabre Dance, both rousing excerpts that will invigorate your routine. (The adadio from Gayane is familiar from its use in 2001: A Space Odyssey.)
With their predictable phrases and strong rhythmic patterns, codas—the concluding segments of dance suites—are ideal for the climax of your workout. If your energy flags, tune into the coda of what's commonly performed as the "Black Swan" pas de deux. If Odile can complete 32 fouetté turns, surely you can finish your workout session.
Cool down with a lyrical corps de ballet scene, such as the iconic emergence of the shades in Minkus's La Bayadere. In this segment, the female corps members gracefully cascade across the stage while performing a series of arabesques. The music is repetitive—Minkus's work usually is—but gorgeous nonetheless.
These story ballets feature dramatic mood shifts that will hold your interest throughout your workout, regardless of whether you follow the plot. If you find the scores intriguing, head to YouTube to watch the complete productions, as you needn't be a dancer to enjoy these enchanting works.
Rebecca Wishnia recently earned her Master's degree in violin from University of California—Santa Cruz. A passionate chamber musician, she has performed in a variety of Bay Area ensembles, and writes about classical music for several publications.
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