ABSTRACT
A Means for the Preservation of Choreography The immediately obvious use of movement notation has been the preservation of choreography for future revival. This indeed was the purpose of each of the historical systems of dance notation. Because of the inadequacies of earlier methods of notation, we cannot be certain, even upon a careful reading of Feuillet for example, that eighteenth-century court dances are being reconstructed today precisely as they were originally performed. Details of style and execution were left unstated because knowledge of these was assumed. But with fully detailed scores, generations to come will be able to dance choreographies of today exactly as the choreographer would wish. The professional notator can work with the choreographer during the creative period, recording the instructions given to the dancers at the rehearsal, and adding as much or as little detail as the choreographer wishes. Every fine point of the correct performance is included to insure its proper revival in the future. Where only a general statement of movement is required in order to allow the performer freedom in interpretation, the notation can be handled accordingly through Motif Notation, giving the reader the motivation behind each movement without stating which specific form it should take.
