Composer

:

Erik Satie

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1924

Average_duration

:

18:55

Movement_count

:

21

Movement ....

Relâche is a ballet composed by Erik Satie in 1924. The plot of the ballet is centered around the idea of a "day off" or "rest day" and features a series of surreal and absurdist scenes. The ballet was originally intended to be performed in conjunction with a film by René Clair, but the film was not completed in time for the premiere. The premiere of Relâche took place on November 19, 1924, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The ballet was performed by the Ballets suédois, a Swedish dance company that was known for its avant-garde productions. The choreography for Relâche was created by Jean Börlin, a dancer and choreographer who was a member of the Ballets suédois. The ballet is divided into two movements, with an intermission in between. The first movement, titled "Entr'acte," features a series of surreal scenes that take place in a variety of settings, including a train station, a gymnasium, and a funeral procession. The second movement, titled "Cinéma," is a film that was intended to be shown during the performance. However, due to technical difficulties, the film was not shown at the premiere. One of the characteristics of Relâche is its use of humor and satire. Satie and Börlin were known for their irreverent approach to art, and Relâche is no exception. The ballet features a number of absurd and nonsensical scenes, such as a group of dancers performing a "ballet of locomotives" and a man dressed as a horse who is ridden by a woman. Another characteristic of Relâche is its use of modern technology. The ballet features a number of mechanical and electrical devices, such as a giant metronome that serves as a backdrop for one of the scenes. Satie was known for his interest in technology and was one of the first composers to experiment with electronic music. Overall, Relâche is a groundbreaking work that combines music, dance, and film in a way that was ahead of its time. Its surreal and absurdist elements, as well as its use of modern technology, make it a landmark in the history of avant-garde art.

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