Happy Birthday Beethoven! by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 

Remembering Beethoven

In writing this blog it might not come as a great surprise that my username as a Blogger has the Composer's name Handel in it.  An inspiration like many great composers/artists to many people including myself.

Thus, when I spotted this article today I thought to myself, yes, good reading material and as it's a lengthy one perhaps read all of it later.  

This composer however is none other than Beethoven though and as I created a Dance piece to his music* and have it in my archives I thought I'd dig it out - something for you to peruse during the Christmas festivities, if you haven't already seen it and maybe even beat the boredom of particular tier lockdown restrictions.   Hey, while we're at it, why not even have a go at learning the dance?!

Enjoy!  

article on Beethoven born 250 years ago! (https://jacobinmag.com/2020/12/ludwig-van-beethoven-250-birthday)

Dance video to Beethoven:

https://youtu.be/kn__G8y1qYM

Even got my multi-coloured/rainbow patterned arm warmers on.  Who would have thunk it!  #SupportTheNHS

Dance Analysis:

A Bit About The Dance

The style of the dance is predominantly contemporary.  No surprise there as this is what I studied at Degree level, along with Contemporary Music.  However, my sports training is becoming more apparent in my work.  It was only a year before this I participated in a sports course by LAWMAC where I basically played football.  (Anyway,  I think it was mandatory as it was in conjunction with the the Job Centre and I opted for the sports course. - see prior blog for more details!)

Before I studied for a degree I qualified to teach Step-Aerobics attaining an Instructor RSA qualification.  And before this I trained in various styles of dance right from a little tot to going to a Stage School.

Although I have trained in other styles of dance ultimately, my dance roots are the traditional styles of British dance such as Ballet, Jazz/StreetDance and Tap and these with my sports and fitness training are easily  recognised in the dance.

* I created this video eight years ago!  At this time I decided to start exploring recording with video.  This mini site-specific movie piece is amongst quite a few videos that I have created to present that can be accessed digitally.  

NB.  Since then I have reclaimed my birth name, as my known name from my parent's second marriage is Cox and who I know I am from as far back as I can remember!