Modern ballets in the context of terminological issues of choreographic art

The article examines cultural figures’ perceptions of modernity in relation to art in general and choreography in particular. The main trends in this field have been systematized and their fundamental role for the use of the term “modern ballet” has been defined. The chronological, cultural and socio-cultural aspects of its functioning are examined, and a terminological comparison is made with the concepts of “modernity”, “contemporary” and “neoclassicism”. Notably, despite the similarity in the lexical meanings of the translations of these terms in choreographic practice, they are endowed with different meanings. It is concluded that the modernity of ballet is a characteristic defined in a particular period of history on the basis of a production's conformity with a number of features: the presence in its content of reinterpretations of classical subjects; the combination of elements of various choreographic styles not previously associated with ballet; the demonstration of the influence of other art forms on it. Author concludes that it is inexpedient to define “modern ballet” terminologically due to the dependence of the concept on the historical and cultural environment, as well as the subjective perception of its content.