About the work
Impressing the Czar is a full-length ballet by William Forsythe, premiered in 1988 by Ballett Frankfurt. The work is a multilayered, ironic collage and contains, as its second part, the world-famous and independently performed piece In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated.
Plot
Impressing the Czar is deliberately enigmatic and collage-like in construction. The first part addresses, in an exuberant scenario peppered with art-historical and commercial allusions, themes of desire, art, and commodity value. The famous second part, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, is by contrast pure, high-energy abstract movement to driving music by Thom Willems, beneath two golden cherries. Further parts—including a scene with dancers costumed as schoolgirls—combine into an ironic commentary on ballet history and auction culture.
Cultural significance
Impressing the Czar is regarded as a key work of contemporary ballet and a manifesto of Forsythe's deconstructive approach to classical technique. In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated in particular became the most-danced Forsythe piece and a touchstone for companies worldwide, pushing classical technique to its limits. The complete work influenced a whole generation of choreographers and helped define postmodern ballet.