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

In popular culture

The "Sabre Dance" has been used in numerous films, animated films, TV series, video games and commercials over the years.[60] 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).[61]

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.[62][63][64]

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),[65] 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).[60] 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. It was also played briefly in Madagascar 3.

Video Games

Video games in which the "Sabre Dance" was used, include Road Runner (video game) (1985 Atari System 1 arcade version)

In sports

The National Hockey League team Buffalo Sabres have used the piece as a theme song since the team was established in 1970.[66] After a hiatus, the "Sabre Dance" was again made their theme song in 2011.[67][68]

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.[69][70]

The "Sabre Dance" was featured in the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony held in Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia on February 7.[71][72]

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

References

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  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.
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  34. Takeshi Terauchi & Bunnys – Sabre Dance
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  37. Spontaneous Combustion Sabre Dance Composed by Dave Edmunds
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  40. covered it during 1979 live shows, a recording appears on the two disc 2006 reissue of their eponymous debut album audio
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  45. Mekong Delta-Sabre Dance
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  63. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XazTAkh3SO8
  64. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDdQWG6gIjs
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  74. Debi Thomas 1986 Worlds EX
  75. Scott Hamilton – 1994 Canadian Pro SP Sabre Dance
  76. Michelle Kwan – 1994 NationsBank U.S. Olympic Festival on Ice
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  78. 2000 Euros SP Plushenko – Sabre Dance
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  83. Daisuke Takahashi-2004 Eric Bompard SP
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  87. Julia Lipnitskaia – 2013 World Junior Championships – SP
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External links

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