Ballet Adagio

Ballet Adagio

| 9 min
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This short film by Norman McLaren is a slow-motion study of the pas de deux adagio, one of the most exacting dances of classical ballet. A ballet originally choreographed by the Russian ballet master Asaf Messerer is performed for this film by the internationally known Canadian pair David and Anna Marie Holmes, to the music of Albinoni's Adagio.

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Ballet Adagio, Norman McLaren, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • director
    Norman McLaren
  • animation
    Norman McLaren
  • producer
    Norman McLaren
  • photography
    Jacques Fogel
    Douglas Kiefer
  • sound
    Ron Alexander

  • McLaren’s Muse

    It’s amazing how every time I watch this masterpiece of strength and fluidity of movement, I notice little details, the joys on their faces when a leap in the air that defies gravity is carried out successfully, to the little movements on their lips when they soundlessly talk to each other, to prepare for the next leap. McLaren’s choice in using slow-mo for this balletic magic was the right one.

    McLaren’s Muse, 3 Sep 2019

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