Sabre Dance
"Sabre Dance"
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The cover of a 1953 record of the "Sabre Dance" by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.[1]

The "Sabre Dance" (Armenian: Սուսերով պար, Suserov par; Russian: Танец с саблями, Tanets s sablyami) is a movement in the final act of Aram Khachaturian's ballet Gayane (1942), "where the dancers display their skill with sabres."[2] It is Khachaturian's best known and most recognizable work.[3][4] Its middle section is based on an Armenian folk song.[2][5] According to Tigran Mansurian, it is a synthesis of an Armenian wedding dance tune from Gyumri tied in a saxophone counterpoint "that seems to come straight from America."[6]

In 1948[7] the "Sabre Dance" became a jukebox hit in the United States.[8][9] Due to its popularity, Newsweek suggested that 1948 could be called "Khachaturian Year in the United States."[10] In that year, three versions of the "Sabre Dance" (one played by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Artur Rodziński;[11][12] another one by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Efrem Kurtz;[13] and by Oscar Levant)[14] reached number one in the Billboard Best-Selling Records by Classical Artists. These three versions were included in the Year's Top Selling Classical Artists by Billboard in 1948.[15] The "Sabre Dance" became the first million-selling record of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.[16] According to the Current Biography Yearbook, it was Levant's performance that "received popular attention."[17]

The piece "has entered the realm of popular music as one of the 20th century's signature pieces."[18] It was further made popular by covers by pop artists,[19] first in the US and later in other countries, such as the UK and Germany. Its use in a wide range of films and TV series over the decades have significantly contributed to its renown.[20] The "Sabre Dance" has also been used by a number of figure skaters. Tom Huizenga of NPR describes it as "one of the catchiest, most familiar—perhaps most maddening—tunes to come out of the 20th century."[21] Billboard magazine calls it "a piece that's known to every pops orchestra in existence."[22]

Covers

Year Artist, band, orchestra Note Ref
1948 Oscar Levant In the film The Barkleys of Broadway [23]
Freddy Martin Entitled "Sabre Dance Boogie" [24]
Woody Herman album: The Second Herd [25]
Victor Young [26]
The Andrews Sisters and The Harmonica Gentlemen Entitled "(Everytime They Play the) Sabre Dance" [27][28]
1954 Liberace [29]
1956 Georges Cziffra [30]
1958 Les Baxter & His Orchestra Ultra-Lounge Volume 3: Space Capades [31]
1961 Jerry Murad's Harmonicats album: Peg O' My Heart [32]
1967 Takeshi Terauchi & Bunnys album: "Let's Go Unmei" [33]
1968 Love Sculpture with Dave Edmunds [34]
1969 Ekseption album: Ekseption [35]
1973 Spontaneous Combustion [36]
1974 Ekseption album: Bingo [37]
1979 The Boys album: To Hell with the Boys [38]
1979 The Pretenders album: Pretenders [39]
1982 Ivan Rebroff Performed at a concert in Sydney, Australia [40]
1985 Nina Hagen Entitled "The Lord's Prayer", album: In Ekstase [41]
1988 U.K. Subs album: Killing Time [42]
1989 Toy Dolls album: Wakey Wakey [43]
1992 Mekong Delta album: Kaleidoscope [44]
1993 James Galway album: Dances for Flute [45]
1994 Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra [46]
1994 Accept Entitled "Sodom and Gomorrah", album: Death Row [47]
1995 Master's Hammer Entitled "Šavlový Tanec", album: Šlágry [48]
1996 Skyclad album: Irrational Anthems [49]
2004 Vanessa-Mae album: Choreography [50]
2004 Bond Entitled "Highly Strung", album: Classified [51]
2006 Tony Levin album: Resonator [52]
2007 The Brian Setzer Orchestra album: Wolfgang's Big Night Out [53]
2008 André Rieu In the film Andre Rieu – In Wonderland [54]
2010 Les Fradkin album: Hyper Midi Guitar [55]
2011 Michał Jelonek album: Revenge [56]
2011–12 Richard Galliano In concerts [57][58]

In popular culture

The "Sabre Dance" has been used in numerous films, animated films, TV series, video games and commercials over the years.[59] The piece's popular familiarity has been enhanced by its traditional use as accompaniment by travelling circuses and on television variety shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show when novelty acts such as plate spinners appeared.[21]

Some notable TV shows that have used it include The Jack Benny Program (1961), A Piano in the House from The Twilight Zone (1962), The Onedin Line (1971 and 1972), The Benny Hill Show (1985), Our Very First Telethon episode of Full House (1990), The Simpsons (1991–2011), Two and a Half Men (2004), What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2004), "Peterotica" episode of Family Guy (2006), SpongeBob SquarePants (2007), The Big Bang Theory (2009).[60]

On June 6, 2013 on the 110th anniversary of Khachaturian’s birthday a modern take of the Sabre Dance—Sabre Dance on the Street—was performed at Yerevan Cascade by Barekamutyun dance ensemble and Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.[61][62][63]

Films

Films in which the "Sabre Dance" was used, include The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), One, Two, Three (1961), The System (1964), Amarcord (1973), Nu, pogodi! 6th episode "Countryside" (1973), Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), Repentance (1987) Punchline (1988), Radioland Murders (1994), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994),[64] Don't Drink the Water (1994), I Married a Strange Person! (1997), Vegas Vacation (1997), A Simple Wish (1997), Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), Kung Fu Hustle (2004), Scoop (2006), Sicko (2007), Ghost Town (2008), Witless Protection (2008), Le Concert (2009), Pájaros de papel (2010), Sabre Dance (2015).[59] In his frenzied comedy One, Two, Three, director Billy Wilder used the dance repeatedly for comic effect, including a crazed chase through East Berlin, and the chaotic closing ride to the airport featuring James Cagney and Horst Bucholz.

In sports

The National Hockey League team Buffalo Sabres have used the piece as a theme song since the team was established in 1970.[65] After a hiatus, the "Sabre Dance" was again made their theme song in 2011.[66][67]

In 2010–13, the "Sabre Dance" became popular in the city of Donetsk, Ukraine, because it was played in Donbass Arena, the venue of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, whenever the Armenian football player Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored a goal.[68][69]

The "Sabre Dance" was featured in the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony held in Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia on February 7.[70][71]

Figure skating

The "Sabre Dance" has been used by numerous figure skaters, including:

Season(s) Athlete(s) Country Competition Ref
1986 Suzanne Semanick
Scott Gregory		  United States 1986 U.S. Figure Skating Championships [72]
1986–88 Debi Thomas  United States [73]
1994 Scott Hamilton  United States [74]
1993–94 Michelle Kwan  United States short program [75]
1998–99 Johnny Weir  United States short program [76]
1999–00 Evgeni Plushenko  Russia short program [77]
2001–02 Stanislav Morozov
Aliona Savchenko		  Ukraine short program [78]
2001–02 Takahiko Kozuka  Japan short program [79]
2004–05 Stanislav Morozov
Tatiana Volosozhar		  Ukraine free skating [80]
2004–05 Daisuke Takahashi  Japan short program [81][82]
2005–06 Takahito Mura  Japan short program [83]
2006–07 Maximin Coia
Adeline Canac		  France free skating [84]
2007–08 Ryuju Hino  Japan short program
2012–13 Yulia Lipnitskaya  Russia short program [85][86]
2013–14 exhibition [87]

References

  1. ↑ "Classical Selections of EP Singles ...". Billboard. August 29, 1953. p. 29.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "2011–2012 Concerts for Young People: Aram Khachaturian (1903–1978) "Sabre Dance" from Gayane" (PDF). Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. p. 4. The "Sabre Dance" is in the final act. It is where the dancers display their skill with sabres. Its middle section is based on an Armenian folk song ...
  3. ↑ Frolova-Walker, Marina (Summer 1998). ""National in Form, Socialist in Content": Musical Nation-Building in the Soviet Republics". Journal of the American Musicological Society (University of California Press on behalf of the American Musicological Society) 51 (2): 362. doi:10.2307/831980. ... Khachaturian's most popular piece, the Sabre Dance ...
  4. ↑ Robinson, Harlow (2013). "The Caucasian Connection: National Identity in the Ballets of Aram Khachaturian". In Kanet, Roger E. Identities, Nations and Politics After Communism. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 9781317968665. ...particularly the "Sabre Dance," which became the single most recognized piece of Khachaturian...
  5. ↑ "Sabre Dance from Gayane". Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. The well-known “Sabre Dance” is one of these: an aggressive Armenian war-dance with flashing sabres brandished throughout. The outer sections are based upon a wild ostinato figure punctuated by trombone smears. There is a brief moment of contrast at the center, with a quotation of an Armenian folk song.
  6. ↑ In the documentary Khachaturian (2003, directed by Peter Rosen), Tigran Mansurian states: "What an interesting synthesis! He's taken a melody from Gyumri, an Armenian wedding dance tune ... and he's tied in a saxophone counterpoint that seems to come straight from America. The relationship between the two seems so organic, so interesting!" The film is available online here. Mansurian appears at around 33:00.
  7. ↑ Life (New York). December 28, 1957. p. 17. Meanwhile a musical revolt was stirred up in Russia by Aram Khachaturian, one of the U.S.S.R.'s leading composers, who wrote the U.S. juke box favorite of 1948, Sabre Dance. Missing or empty |title= (help); |chapter= ignored (help)
  8. ↑ Taruskin, Richard (2009). Music in the Late Twentieth Century: The Oxford History of Western Music. Oxford University Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-19-979600-7. Khachaturian .. famous in the West for some colorful concertos and a ballet suite containing a rousing "Sabre Dance" that became a jukebox hit.
  9. ↑ Petrak, Albert M., ed. (1985). "Khachaturian, Aram Ilyich". David Mason Greene's Biographical Encyclopedia of Composers (1st ed.). Garden City, New York: Reproducing Piano Roll Foundation. pp. 1329–30. ISBN 978-0-385-14278-6. Meanwhile its flashy "Sabre Dance" had conquered the U.S.S.R.'s new American allies and at one time was a standard on juke-boxes.
  10. ↑ Newsweek 31 (New York). 1948. p. 72. ...the music agenda in this country shows plenty to indicate that 1948 may be Khachaturian Year in the United States. Missing or empty |title= (help); |chapter= ignored (help)
  11. ↑ "Retail Record Sales: Best-Selling Records by Classical Artists". Billboard. 10 April 1948. p. 30.
  12. ↑ "Retail Record Sales: Best-Selling Records by Classical Artists". Billboard. 26 June 1948. p. 27.
  13. ↑ "Retail Record Sales: Best-Selling Records by Classical Artists". Billboard. 10 April 1948. p. 39.
  14. ↑ "Retail Record Sales: Best-Selling Records by Classical Artists". Billboard. 15 May 1948. p. 25.
  15. ↑ "The Year's Top Selling Classical Artists Over Retail Counters". Billboard. 1 January 1949. p. 19.
  16. ↑ Hoffman, Frank, ed. (2005). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound, Volume 1: A-L. New York: Routledge. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-203-48427-2.
  17. ↑ Current Biography Yearbook (New York: H. W. Wilson Company) 9: 345. 1949. The music is available on records, however, and as a result of its performance by Oscar Levant, the "Sabre Dance," a part of the suite, has received popular attention. Played in four-quarter rather than the three-quarter time in which it was written, "Sabre Dance" is "a juke-box sensation"; an adaptation, "Sabre Dance Boogie," has also been introduced. Missing or empty |title= (help); |chapter= ignored (help)
  18. ↑ Adalian, Rouben Paul (2010). Historical Dictionary of Armenia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 381. ISBN 978-0-8108-7450-3. As for the Sabre Dance from Gayane, it has entered the realm of popular music as one of the 20th century's signature pieces.
  19. ↑ Staines, Joe (2010). The Rough Guide to Classical Music. Penguin. ISBN 9781405383219. Filled with a sparkling array of folk-inspired tunes, its most famous episode, the manic “Sabre Dance”, has had a life of its own, even materializing as a pop single.
  20. ↑ "Khachaturian: "Sabre Dance" from Gayaneh". University of North Georgia Department of Music. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. "The Sabre Dance" from the ballet suite Gayne [GUY-nuh] by Aram Khachaturian is by far this 20th Century Armenian composer's most famous work. The "Sabre Dance" has been used in numerous films, animated films, TV series, video games and commercials over the years.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Huizenga, Tom (5 June 2003). "The 'Sabre Dance' Man". NPR. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Casey At The Bat". Billboard: p. 103. 15 September 2007.
  23. ↑ Faris, Jocelyn (1994). Ginger Rogers: A Bio-bibliography. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-313-29177-7.
  24. ↑ Birnbaum, Larry (2013). Before Elvis: The Prehistory of Rock 'n' Roll. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-8108-8638-4.
  25. ↑ Tyler, Don (2008). Music of the Postwar Era. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-313-34191-5.
  26. ↑ Billboard: 28. 27 March 1948. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ Nimmo, H. Arlo (2004). The Andrews Sisters: A Biography and Career Record. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 425. ISBN 978-0-7864-1731-5.
  28. ↑ Sforza, John. Swing It! : The Andrews Sisters Story. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-8131-9099-0.
  29. ↑ "Liberace Plays the Saber Dance". EVTV1. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  30. ↑ "Georges Cziffra: Ses Enregistrements Studio, 1956–1986 Danse du Sabre (after Khatchaturian's Gayaneh), for piano". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  31. ↑ Richie Unterberger. "Ultra-Lounge, Vol. 3: Space Capades". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  32. ↑ "Jerry Murad's Harmonicats – Peg O' My Heart". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  33. ↑ Takeshi Terauchi & Bunnys – Sabre Dance
  34. ↑ Prown, Pete; Newquist, H. P. (1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-7935-4042-6.
  35. ↑ "Ekseption – Ekseption". Discogs. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  36. ↑ Spontaneous Combustion Sabre Dance Composed by Dave Edmunds
  37. ↑ "Ekseption – Bingo". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  38. ↑ "The Boys To Hell with the Boys". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  39. ↑ covered it during 1979 live shows, a recording appears on the two disc 2006 reissue of their eponymous debut album audio
  40. ↑ "The Sabre Dance - Serge Camps". YouTube. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  41. ↑ "Nina Hagen – In Ekstasy". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014. The Lord's Prayer Written By [Inserts From Sabre Dance] – Aram Khatchaturian
  42. ↑ Valdivia, Victor W. "U.K. Subs Killing Time". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  43. ↑ "Toy Dolls – Wakey Wakey!". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  44. ↑ Mekong Delta-Sabre Dance
  45. ↑ "James Galway Dances for Flute". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  46. ↑ "Budapest Gypsy Orchestra The Budapest Gypsy Orchestra". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  47. ↑ "Musical Mayhem and The Black Fire Concerto". Black Gate. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" in the midst of "Sodom and Gomorrah" from their way underrated album Death Row.
  48. ↑ "Master's Hammer – Šlágry". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014. Šavlový Tanec Written-By – Aram Chačaturjan*, Master's Hammer
  49. ↑ "Skyclad – Irrational Anthems". Discogs. Retrieved 8 April 2014. Sabre Dance Arranged By [Deranged By] – G. English* Composed By – A. Khachaturian*
  50. ↑ "Vanessa-Mae Choreography". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  51. ↑ Loftus, Johnny. "Bond Classified". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. "Highly Strung," for example, tries to marry Khachaturian's manic Sabre Dance to spy movie guitar and chattering electronics, the result being more garishly cartoonish than interpretive.
  52. ↑ "Tony Levin – Resonator". Discogs. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  53. ↑ "Wolfgang's Big Night Out Sabre Dance, for electric guitar & jazz ensemble (after Khachaturian)". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014.
  54. ↑ "André Rieu in Wonderland:Synopsis". MSN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014.
  55. ↑ "Sabre Dance by Les Fradkin". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  56. ↑ "Jelonek "Revenge"" (in Polish). Rock Magazyn. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  57. ↑ "Richard Galliano & Cadence Ensemble (Aram Khachaturian - Sabre Dance)". 14 January 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  58. ↑ "Ռիշար Գալիանոյի համերգը` մարտի 5-ին [Richard Galliano's concert on March 5]" (in Armenian). Public Radio of Armenia. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014. Ռիշար Գալիանոն ասում է, որ մեծ հաճույքով նվագում է Արամ Խաչատրյանի «Սուսերով պարը»,
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Aram Khachaturyan". IMDb. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  60. ↑ "The Work Song Nanocluster". IMDb.
  61. ↑ "Happy Birthday Aram Khachaturian!". Armenian General Benevolent Union. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014.
  62. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XazTAkh3SO8
  63. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDdQWG6gIjs
  64. ↑ Eddie Robson (2003). Coen Brothers. London: Virgin Books. pp. 139–142. ISBN 1-57488-273-2.
  65. ↑ Maiorana, Sal (2012). 100 Things Sabres Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Triumph Books. p. 22. ISBN 9781623680152.
  66. ↑ Dunford, Jen; Bellas, Chrisanne (11 March 2011). "Opening the suggestion box". sabres.nhl.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. This signature song is still typically heard at various times during Sabres games, but many fans suggested a return to the tradition of playing the “Sabre Dance” when the team takes the ice. Beginning Sunday when the Sabres host the Senators, the song will be played when the team takes the ice prior to the second and third periods.
  67. ↑ Vogl, John (11 March 2011). "Sabres putting a fan imprint on arena". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 11 September 2014. Two topics generated significant chatter: music and the team logo. The Sabres will change the tune for their television opening, going from the Scorpions' "Hurricane 2000" to old franchise favorite "Sabre Dance," performed by violinist Vanessa Mae.
  68. ↑ Wilson, Jonathan (22 October 2012). "Henrik Mkhitaryan orchestrates Shakhtar Donetsk's great leap forward". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Aram Khachaturian's Sabre Dance, the Armenian war dance played each time Mkhitaryan scores, may have become the most popular tune at the Donbass Arena this season ...
  69. ↑ Ishkhanyan, Hovhannes (23 October 2012). "Henrik Mkhitaryan orchestrates Shakhtar Donetsk’s great leap forward". Aravot. Aram Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance, the Armenian war dance played each time Mkhitaryan scores, may have become the most popular tune at the Donbass Arena this season...
  70. ↑ Wise, Brian (7 February 2014). "Anna Netrebko Performs at the Olympics Opening Ceremony". New York: WQXR-FM. Retrieved 28 August 2014. ...a snippet of Khachaturian’s Saber Dance as Soviet-era cars whizzed around...
  71. ↑ "Սոչի-2014. Առնո Բաբաջանյանի եւ Արամ Խաչատրյանի անմահ երաժշտությունը՝ բացման արարողությանը [Sochi 2014: Arno Babajanian's and Aram Khachaturian's music at the opening ceremony]". sport.news.am (in Armenian). 7 February 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014. Հնչեցին հատվածներ Բաբաջանյանի «Աշխարհի լավագույն քաղաքը» երգից եւ Խաչատրյանի «Սուսերով պարից»:
  72. ↑ "National Figure Skating Championships : Adair and Roca Lead All the Way and Dance to a Title". Los Angeles Times. 8 February 1986. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  73. ↑ Debi Thomas 1986 Worlds EX
  74. ↑ Scott Hamilton – 1994 Canadian Pro SP Sabre Dance
  75. ↑ Michelle Kwan – 1994 NationsBank U.S. Olympic Festival on Ice
  76. ↑ "Johnny Weir". Ice Network. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012.
  77. ↑ 2000 Euros SP Plushenko – Sabre Dance
  78. ↑ "Aliona SAVCHENKO / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2001/2002". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 October 2002.
  79. ↑ "Takahiko Kozuka". Ice Network. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  80. ↑ "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005.
  81. ↑ "Daisuke TAKAHASHI: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 5 December 2004.
  82. ↑ Daisuke Takahashi-2004 Eric Bompard SP
  83. ↑ "Takahito MURA: 2005/2006". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 16 May 2006.
  84. ↑ "Adeline CANAC / Maximin COIA: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 April 2007.
  85. ↑ "Julia LIPNITSKAIA: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012.
  86. ↑ Julia Lipnitskaia – 2013 World Junior Championships – SP
  87. ↑ "Julia Lipnitskaia (Rusia). "Sabre Dance", A Khatchaturian". 20 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.

External links

  1. ↑ "Musical Milestones of the 20th Century". newmusicon.org. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  2. ↑ The New Music Connoisseur (Barcoe Creative Enterprises) 8: 4. 2000. 1947: Khachaturian's full, untouched score for "Sabre Dance" makes the Hit Parade (Arthur Fiedler, Boston Pops)... Missing or empty |title= (help)