Features of the Spanish Choreography of the 15–18th Centuries

Abstract

Relevance of the study. The Spanish dance tradition is an integral part of the pan-European choreographic culture. Its research expands the comprehension of the theoretical foundations of the dance art, its history and assists in the practical work of studying and reproducing the dances of the past.The aim of the article is to determine what the Spanish choreography of the 15–18th centuries was by nature of.Research Methodology. The research is carried out by studying and analyzing existing books with the descriptions of the early dances and the contemporary analytical articles.Results. The article studies and characterizes all the currently known primary sources of Spanish choreography of the given period, analyzes the dance forms and movements, as well as the main types and styles of Spanish dance. Their social significance is defined. The general rules that characterize the performance of aristocratic dances are described. Common and distinctive features of the Spanish and Italian dance steps are analyzed. The list of the most mentioned dances of the given period and those occurring in one of the original sources is analyzed and presented. The features of movement performance in the Spanish dances are identified. The paper describes the common and distinctive characteristic features of the Spanish choreography with the dance traditions of other countries in Europe of the given period.Novelty. The author attempts to summarize the current information about the Spanish choreography of the 15–18th centuries, which forms the basis for further development of the research and methodological framework in the field of choreography.The practical significance. The research can contribute to provide the theoretical basis for restoring the choreographic heritage of the past.