Retiré
Retiré
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY
Translation: withdrawn
This is the more common position for turning. Through the years, this verb has really become a noun, but it is not. It is not passé, though it is easily seen how one can turn, or do a pirouette, in that idea. This technique, while not a noun and definitely a verb, is about the withdrawn action that moves the knee to 90 degrees, while the foot stays attached to the supporting leg, in the same position as sur le cou-de-pied, thus leaving the foot either at the knee or above the knee. Understanding retiré is crucial for pirouettes, and it is crucial to differentiate ballet technique and other genres, because the two words aren’t always interchangeable through genre, as much as people want them to be.
Passé refers to anytime the foot of the working leg passes the knee of the supporting leg from one position to another. Or when the foot passes front to back or vice versa. This is easily seen in a turn as most pirouettes take off from fourth position, and the foot does pass from front to back to end in fourth. However, the more important thing to focus on, is that the working foot actually has to withdraw (reitré) from the floor, or the fourth position, towards the body to make the compact position that allows for the “passé” to happen. However if you close the pirouette front, or don’t land the position, there is no passé, or pass, that happens.
The following is now how in America things get lot in translation through the blending of dance genres and generations. Many teachers, because of the world of jazz not using the vocabulary of retire have swapped out retiré for passé in the prescribed positions:
Retiré de côté
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY duh koh-TAY
Translation: withdrawn to the side
How we get to passé side
Retiré derrière
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY deh-RYEHR
Translation: withdrawn to the back
How we get to passé back
Retiré devant
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY duh-VAHN
Translation: withdrawn to the front
How we get to passé front
Why retiré is so important
Battement retiré
Pronunciation: bat-MAHN ruh-tee-RAY
Translation: Battement withdrawn or shortened
You might not think you do this step, but the reality is, you probably do this almost everyday, especially on pointe. Some teachers call it a variety of names or phrases, some people might just call it plié-relevé passé. This step is when a dancer will be in fifth position and spring the working leg up and over the supporting knee with accent down back to plié. Commonly done variations, you can either change legs or continue the working leg to move back and forth. Importantly, this is done always accent down. But this is great to work developpés, for the start of jumps, but importantly it develops turnout if done correctly.
Retiré en l’air (grand soubresaut, Italian Changement)
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY ahn lehr
Translation: withdrawn in the air
A jump when both legs will withdraw upwards creating the same position we see in grand plié in the air.
Retiré Sauté
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY suh-TAY
Translation: reitré jumped
The retiré happens on the working leg, while the supporting leg executes a temps levé. Coordination and the practice of stretching one leg, while the other moves. This is really important in the teaching of jumps.
Retiré sauté en arrière
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY ah na-RYEHR
Translation: retiré jumped backwards
This implies there are consecutive jumps on alternating supporting legs moving backwards.
Retiré saute en avant
Pronunciation: ruh-tee-RAY ah na-VAHN
Translation: retiré jumped forwards
This implies there are consecutive jumps on alternating supporting legs moving forwards.
