Arabesque
is one of the basic poses in Ballet. Arabesque takes its name from a form of
Moorish ornament. In ballet it is a position of the body, in profile, supported
on one leg, which can be straight or on demi-plié, with the other leg extended
behind and at right angles to it, and the arms held in various positions
creating the longest line from the fingertips to the toes. The shoulders must
be held square to the line of direction.
There
are different types of Arabesques. The Cecchetti method uses five principal
arabesques; the Russian School (Vaganova), four; and the French School, two.
Arabesques are used to conclude a phrase of steps; it could be in adagio
movements or allegro movements.
In
the Cecchetti Arabesques we have first, second, third, fourth and fifth
arabesque. First Arabesque is executed with the body held upright from the
waist and is supported on a straight leg with the other leg extended and at
right angles to the supporting leg. The shoulders are held square to the line
with arms extended, palms are down, so that the extended fingertips of the
forward arm are in a line with the center of the space between the eyes, and
the extended back arm slightly lowered so that the arm are in one straight
line. The forward hand should be slightly turned outward. Second Arabesque is
executed with the arms reversed so that the forward arm is the opposite of the
supporting leg. The head is slightly inclined and turned toward the audience.
Third arabesque is executed with both arms extended forward to the side of the
supporting leg. The fingertips of the arm farther from the audience are in a
line with the center of the space between the eyes while the arm nearer the
audience is in a line with the shoulder. Fourth arabesque is executed with
supporting leg nearer the audience and is in demi-plié. The arms and head are
held as the first arabesque with the am on the side of the raised leg being
forward. Fifth arabesque is executed with arms and head held as in the third
arabesque with the arm farther from the audience being the higher. The
supporting led is the le nearer the audience and is in demi-plié. The fourth
and fifth arabesques are taken facing the right front corner of the room or
stage if the supporting leg is the left, or facing the left front corner if the
supporting leg is the right.
