Pas de Deux, Grand Pas de Deux

Grand Pas de Deux

Pronunciation:
Grahn pah duh duh
Translation: Grand pas, for short, refers to the musical structure that gives a grand pas de deux it’s structure. It consists of the music being broken into five parts:

Entrée

Pronunciation: ahn-TRAY
Translation: entrance

The Introduction or entrance is usually a short prelude or opening to the dance for two. Usually, a grand piece of music that sets the tone for the rest of the pas de deux. Usually, it involves a promenade of walking around the stage and sets the tone, mood, and emotion for the adage.

Adage

The Adagio is usually where the most partnering work takes place and is usually the big dance for two. It is usually slow paced and involves elaborate partnering vocabulary. The male usually supports the woman to show off her lines and extensions.

Variation for Male

Variation for Female

Coda

The coda is the end of the pas de deux, literally translating as the tail. This is the final part of the pas de deux and is usually a combination of variations of the music in the earlier sections. The coda is usually sectioned into a few parts. The first pass is usually reserved for the man in either a menage or diagonal, followed by a female set of thirty-two fouettés, then the male’s bravura turns, and then a ravishing final duet with a grand ending.