Rotationé??

[Chinafish]

Hello all,

 

Was learning the Dawn / Aurora variation from Coppelia on Wednesday, and this step really bugged me...

 

It was sort of at the beginning after a bit of walking around and some arabesque promenades:

 

1. Stand in 5th croisé, facing downstage left (right leg front)

2. Envelopé ecarte devant the right leg, head look down the left arm

3. Envelopé into retiré

4. Put right leg down to a croisé lunge facing downstage right, whole foot on floor, right arm front left arm side (I call this 3rd arabesque but I've heard people saying this is 2nd?....)

5. Rotationé to tendu devant croisé facing downstage left, with right arm up and left arm side (I call this open 4th? Heard this was called 3rd as well?....)

 

Anyway, my problem is in the transition from 4 to 5 - I cannot manage to get to the tendu without having to "jam" the right leg into the floor to stop myself from falling over.

 

During the class I have tried to keep my weight on the ball of the left foot, and pull in my stomach, but haven't had much luck. I was in one of those modes of trying to work things out that I forgot to ask the teacher (it happens sometimes, I concentrate on trying to use my brain so much that the sensible part of "ask the teacher" command doesn't seep through.... bah...)

 

Just wondering if there are any imageries or pointers to specially focus on that would help with this?

 

I *think* this is called a rotationé but I'm not entirely sure either?

 

And would really help if someone could clarify the arms / positions terminology as well????

 

I could wait to ask the teachers next week but this will bug me until next Wednesday and I simply can't stand it!!!!

 

Thanks!!!

 

Fish

 

(Edited to add: I did try searching for "rotation" but the search gave me heaps of results concerning hip rotation and turn-out, which isn't what I need! Searching for "rotationé" didn't return anything so I am presuming that I spelt this wrong.....)

[Clara 76]

I *think I understand what you're doing, and there are 2 components; one is the inner thighs. You must engage them as you rotate to the DSL position from the DSR position. The second thing you must do is pivot on the supporting foot to complete the rotation.

 

It seems a bit odd choreographically, but it can be done.

 

As far as the arms- it would be third arabesque because it's the upstage leg behind, and the same arm forward. Then when you're in the tendu DSL position, it would be third en haut according to some schools, Croisé devant with effacé arms in another, and fourth in others.

 

Of course, this is based upon what I think you're doing so we'll see what others have to say as well.

[Mel Johnson]

What you're describing is simply "rotation à terre". It's pronounced ro-tah-seeONH (say the last n through the nose) and is a sort of fouetté of adage done entirely on the floor.

[Chinafish]

Thanks Clara and Major Mel!

 

Ah-ha! I wasn't thinking about the thigh at all. Will try that when I'm next in class.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Fish

 

(BTW a section of this is shown in the youtube video of Molly Smollen doing the Dawn variation. I know links are not allowed but pretty easily searchable this one)

[Doubleturn]

I learnt this variation many years ago, practically the same as the version on youtube. Two things I noticed where your version differs.

 

The developpé is taken from 5th en face and stays en face although the body tilt is as if it were écarté to the upstage corner, i.e. head is turned away from the working leg and eye line is diagonally down. If you are doing this as you say, en croisé, but looking away from the audience down your left arm you will have even further to turn and the audience can't see your face - are you sure this is correct?

 

From second, the working leg does a passé retiré to developpé to degagé a terre derriere en fondu croisé, right arm forward, left to side (this arabesque is 3rd Vaganova, or 2nd RAD) - the foot stays pointed. I think putting the heel down to a wide 4th may be stopping your momentum. Although this position should be shown clearly, the momentum continues so that it carries you into the rotation to degagé croisé devant. Almost inevitably there will be a pelvic tilt on the degagé derriere so you need to use your abs and inner thighs strongly as you rotate to find the upright position. Make sure you really find your centre line with your back foot as it extends to degagé, or you could try very slightly overcrossing. Hope this helps.