Dancer-Music Communication Processes and Narrative in Classical Ballet Variations

Using literature study and video observation, Mohammed Talebi presented a framework for understanding how principal dancers of classical ballet interact with music in order to embody the narrative in solo dances (variations). The framework suggests that dancer–music communication is embedded within a complex dynamic system, in which the interplay between several processing layers, mechanisms, and multiple contexts is decisive. In these processes, dancers integrate the ballet theatrical elements through mutual interactions with music to embody a new multimodal motoric narrative from the libretto that differs from each one of the elements. We thereby contribute to the theory of choreomusicology, and we support dancers in understanding and thus fine-tuning their interactions with music.