They are artfully arranged in contrapuntal patterns that have the grandeur of a Bach fugue.

Nevertheless, through austerely repetitive steps and contrapuntal patterns, it does convey a sense of mysterious rituals and folk dances.

Just the sheer architectonics of the complex and contrapuntal patterns overwhelm the eye.

They appeared to rush and slow down and to create intricate contrapuntal patterns in the air.

In her earlier works, Ms. Childs said, she wove intricate contrapuntal patterns out of a deliberately limited number of steps.

Embodying what Mr. Sewell calls polyrhythms, the dancers move in and out of contrapuntal patterns.

But nowadays she is just as apt to take contrapuntal patterns and rhythms and coat them with allegorical meaning.

The cords used to tie the strips together leave loose, hanging ends that "establish a contrapuntal pattern," she said.

By then Massine's symphonic ballets, with their dazzling contrapuntal patterns, were relegated to the history books.

The core of the music was a pair of balafons (marimbas), low and high, usually playing short contrapuntal patterns.