Russian Dance (ballet)

[danceathlet]

evala !!

[chandrankaiveli]

devine gracefuii excellent

[20centuryBOY1]

OUCH!!!

[jngwatson]

She reminds me of an old, has been ballerina. Maybe it was her costume.

[Itsmisslalatoyou]

just curious, but does it hurt their toes even if they have been doing this for a long time? i can imagine their feet would go numb...

[JustPlainOldTiffany]

OMG this is soo beautiful makes me wish i stuck with ballet it makes me angry when people say its not hard and you just flail around. its moving art

[periwinklewall]

does anyone have a clip from the 1986 Swan Lake performed at Wolftrap, when Olga brought the house down? Please post!!

[Orchiidify]

Is she Checenien, since her name is Chenchikova

[LilAnne5]

давайте оставим народное и классическое искусство мирно сосуществовать порознь! получился и не народный танец, и не балет... 

[MsNatalle]

С днём рождения, Божественная Ольга!

[chocolateice4u]

are you really on your toes?

[FyreBalletDancer]

@chocolateice4u sure ... she's on pointe

[thefrickandfrackshow]

you think this is easy? try putting all ur weight on ur toes..lifting ur arms for like ever and jumping til ur legs fall off, and ur gasping for breathe. yes that's really what ballet is...and yes i love doing it. :)

[kusenic]

the orchestra is perfect! especially violin - best performance of this piece I have ever heard!!!

[XxBbyLuVxX]

i love how her movements flow so easily and how she makes it look soo much less difficult then it really is.

[Phersephoie]

This one of my favourite pieces by Tchaikovsky... it's played very well here but I'm afraid to say that the ballerina's performance isn't that much to my satisfaction, I saw this danced by the Kirov or Bolshoi I think, the soloists moves enchanted me, it was stunning...

[bass109]

awesome, great dance!!!

[carlosmartinorozcova]

i love her arms

[r0g3r5m1th]

gogoneddus and NOT plump

[hristodoulas]

bravissimo!

[carlosmartinorozcova]

exelente!

[kusenic]

the orchestra sounds perfect, especially violin-solo!!! and of course Olga Chenchikova's dance is sooo beautiful...

[vittorietta94]

il 4 giugno pensatemi quando saro sul palco a fare questa variazione!!!

[BrightGreenDream]

Потрясающе!

[m2307]

best music ever! best dancer ever! strong choreography! stunning technique! amazing perfomance!!!!!

[DarLikesSalsa]

im gonna do this dance in a show but its i little dif this song is longer and has some extra music :P

[liloufan2lamusic]

je fais une chorégraphie qui ressemble à ça sur la même musique

[dalferr]

Beautiful!

[Leleshna]

I'll be soon dance this part...But what a distance between me and her! Is it Bolshoy? Wonderful music! Tchaikovskiy is a genious, how did he feel the russian soul...

[SilverInsanity]

She danced at the Mariinsky Ballet.

[odile77]

This is from Swan Lake Act III, pricessess come from different places and dance for prince Sigfried... she is the russian one but for some reason very few companies include this particular dance, is beautiful and she is amazing.

[marcopiega]

I've noticed that, without understanding why.

[gucci102218]

I think it's because that this dance doesn't really suit the atmosphere of swan lake tho no doubt she IS amazing.

[VolkColopatrion]

What work is this dance from? Is the dance seperate from a dramatic work or is it part of a larger one?

[violinmuse14]

It's from the ballet Swan Lake. I don't know what part though.

[illuminatif]

act 3

[PrincessHorrorTFF]

I LOVE Russian Ballet style!!!! xoxoxo

[Darki881]

Russian ballet rocks!

[Saraculture13]

Are you fucking insane? She is not "plump." Ballet dancers are not plump, I'll tell you that.

[m2307]

...no matter what u say.. at least shes a real dancer..!

[Kuramshinballet]

It's so hard for her! And the costume is too short, and dreadful!Really! She looks more old, that she is.

[ballerinababy1]

Who is she?

[Reveurs16]

Olga Chenchikova - as in the title of the video...?

[ballerinababy1]

Oh! Duh, sorry I didn't see the name I just read the part above that. Thanks

[BillyElliotLover96]

tht dress makes her look really short.... not sayin theres anything wrong with short ballerinas! Im short!!!!

[Yatsumi9]

I love the music :o

And the dancer is really good!

[05ihay]

shes really good but not the best ive seen

[noanoa67]

she makes this look so easy,

when it's the hardest kind of dance

[aviamaricel]

Perfección y delicadeza en cada movimiento.Fantástico!!!

[matthewgriffith]

She's so beautiful! And it's nice to see a dancer who doesn't look anorexic.

[andsusul]

YAY

THANK YOU.

I completely agree.

Its absolutely redundant how much pressure there is to be so small.

[balletgal10]

ur totally right like half the girls in my ballet look like they havent eatin in a fricken month

[MoonlightxMorphine]

I've always wondered how they stand on the tips of their toes like that...

[andsusul]

Its the shoes, mate.

and they are killers.

Plus all the extremely hard work and crazy workouts (you wouldnt believe how much muscle strenth it takes to do that)

[Rosette1990]

TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

=D=D=D=D=D=D=

[katysue404]

i learned this variation in Russia with Elena Chekoleva and she said it's a Princess dance - at the beginning u look for the prince but hes not there, ur sad, then u dance anyway.

all the prima ballerinas learn this variation

i learned a little bit differently but same music and story.

i love it! =D

[BalletNinja6]

what is this crap?

[maryyannah]

how old is she?

[babyguurlxoxo]

she doesn't play royalty, or anything special, she plays a woman, because in russia that's what people used to wear on a NORMAL day

[sweetaliena]

ignorant!

[prn4ustat]

hehe, the beginning half of the music is also the Grade 8 Award RAD ballet's 'Danse Russe' character exam dance. that was nice.

[sakuragirling]

Russian ballet is the best then other country's ballet)'cause russia is mother of ballet

[huliganjetta18]

well actually ballet originated in france, but russian ballet is considered to be the best, because well, it is. but french ballet is great too. she is not the best performer of the russian dance, maximova for example danced it better. but she isn't bad.

[sakuragirling]

sorry,but i didn't want to offend somebody)

[huliganjetta18]

you didnt :)

[sakuragirling]

))))

[crakri]

That is not true. Ballet originated in Italy but was developed in France, that is why they call it ballet. You are such a genius !

[sweetaliena]

Ballet was created in France during the 18th century when Louis XIV began is reign.That's why many of the ballet steps are in french ex: pas de bourrée, pas de cheval, pointe etc.

[erlitzki]

This is such a hard piece to perform if you're doing it right, and she's doing it beautifully!

P.S. I have to disagree, in my own opinion, americans are not the best...russian are :P not saying that there aren't any good american dancers, but as a whole the russians produce much cleaner, nicer dancers in my opinion.

[Pianokeys2u]

I teach English and French ballet! Her steps are wide and you are right, jumpingirl. Many different ballet styles are associated by culture. I never said she was dancing like a pleasent.

[jumpinggirl]

i take french, british, and russian ballet.

and also character. when i said it's easy to see she isn't playing a peasant! she is playing royalty, i didn't mean you said that, i was just saying in general, because i learned when dancing a part playing royalty it is customary to take greater strides and steps. lol ballet can be so complicated! :D

[chicha1964]

I am a dancer but not a ballete dancer. I feel she is heavy and has no flow. She is strugeling.

[jumpinggirl]

ballet is a very different form of dance and in this dance she is building suspence in her steps, a crescendo it's not supposed to be light and fluffy it's russian! and it is a russian ballet dance it differs from regular ballets because it is suppose to mimic character style and russian and ukraine style. i respectfully disagree that she has no flow and that she is struggling because she uses even the slightest hand and head movements with grace.

[sonicua]

ukrainian style? )) lol

[kelnahxo]

r u serious? not at all she is wonderful. u said urself that u r not a ballet dancer. it is a different concept between dances with different movements and styles.

[Pianokeys2u]

in the beginning her steps are sloppy and myself a professional dance teacher thinks she is a horrible dancer! on the middle her steps improve and her pointe and arms are graceful. Her steps are too wide and unladylike. this is a good dance and she is all right

[jumpinggirl]

but what kind of ballet do you teach? russian? british? chechetii? french? all steps and techniques vary! her steps are not too wide!

[jumpinggirl]

she is dancing a russian dance, if you have looked at other videos of russian dances you will see that they use wider steps, do you teach character? if you do then you should know character is very different then ballet! and this is supposed to be a russian character dance but with ballet steps too!

[jumpinggirl]

sure doing wide cooroos or bourettes are unlady like, but taking steps is different. she is portray grandeur, it's easy to see she isn't playing a peasant! she is playing royalty! she is proud and boastful thats why her steps are wide and long.

[kelnahxo]

clearly she is good. maybe ur not

[murkin11]

Hello?!

This style imitates Russian folk dancing! Go educate yourself more about dance, my friend.

[gsgumbyboy]

This is a combination of Russian Character Dance and Ballet. I watched this piece being coached by a beautiful Russian Ballerina. Every step, every arm gesture, every head tilt has a basis in Russian Character Dance. Kids training in Ballet, Figure Skating, and Gymnastics must also take Character classes in addition to their regular training. While this piece may not translate to the ballet community, you must appreciate it for its true basis and meaning, combining ballet with tradition.

[wackyjacky93]

To tell you the truth, I felt NOTHING from this performance. Yes, you could tell she was enjoying herself (which is great!), and I found her techinique amazing, yet I could not really even tell what emotions were being conveyed. Amazing ballerina, yet the choreography was less than stellar.

[Bambolina07]

SUPER!!! BRAVO!!!!

[vicquial]

OHHH, that was SO nice. Russia rocks ! I give you 5 stars. I give here a video response, I hope you like it too =)

[KnowsBallet]

A Russian boyarina (this character) is not about turnout. And there is nothing wrong with her pointe work. I suggest you all attempt to find videos of her dancing at her prime and sit back and learn a thing or two about technique.

[AcemanJones]

Her pointe work here is sloppy and dull and flat, regardless of what it may have once been (or not - I can't find any old works).

And, Ms. Bitter, I was a professional dancer and reviewer for years, and I DO know a thing or two about technique.

Are you really saying turnout is not relevant to a ballerina's performance?...and that I don't know about technique? Get a grip, Grandma.

[KnowsBallet]

1. Why on earth are you characterizing me as bitter?

2. Why on earth are you characterizing me as a Grandma?

3. Why is your tone in all your posting so insufferably arrogant and vicious?

4. How on earth can you misstate my comment as saying turnout is not relevant?

[AcemanJones]

I should "sit back and learn a thing or two about technique" sounds bitter. I know quite a bit about ballet.

I shouldn't've called you "Grandma", but your comments seem old-school to me. Alicia Alonzo was probably a great ballerina in her time, but by today's standards she's been surpassed...art, like time, only moves forward.

My postings are not vicious except when I see poor quality dancing being celebrated.

Please clarify your comments about trunout for my better understanding.

[KnowsBallet]

I did not direct "learn a thing or two" at you specifically.

Vicious/sarcastic comments at any time do not persuade anyone to your opinion.

I can only repeat, turnout in character dancing is NOT paramount. Can't be any clearer than that.

Finally, I could not care less what you call me. You and your experience mean nothing to me.I am sure mine mean nothing to you. To tell you the truth, I am disinclined to continue any further dialogue with you.

[AcemanJones]

I didn't say turnout was paramount, did I? And I'm sorry, but though this is a character role, it is part of a classical ballet, not a specific character piece (i.e. folk dancing), and she's in pointe shoes. Do a search for Annalise Dawson's version on youtube and you'll see something just about the same...boring.

You agree that :learn a thing or two" sounds bitter, then?

[KnowsBallet]

I agree with nothing you say. Goodbye.

[AcemanJones]

You sure are comfortable running from a conversation without qualifying your opinions. I've described my POV in some clear ways: this is a classical ballet, not contemporary or folk; that the art form doesn't change with time but the relevance does; that turnout is relevant. You respond to none of these, pretending that I'm being hostile. Maybe THAT'S why you got called "Grandma".

[AcemanJones]

Grow up, Ms. Bitter.

[Laptop10709]

THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO??

[Laptop10709]

THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO??

[AcemanJones]

I guess we just have different opinions about what makes classical ballet an art form and what qualifies a classical ballerina as an artist. And "KnowsBallet" keeps running from the conversation and behaving curtly, while I make legitimate points to discuss.

[Laptop10709]

I see

[KnowsBallet]

Jingoistically stating that American, French, Russians or anyone else are, as a group, the "best" dancers is rather inane. Americans have an unfortunate hodge podge of training that leaves them, as a nation, with no unifying style at all, hence the disorganized corps de ballets at major companies. And please note that a rather large proportion of the "stars" - and even soloists - in major American companies are, um, not American.

[AcemanJones]

Blah blah blah. And not true, on the whole.

[AcemanJones]

fat ballerina tippy-toeing around.

no great accomplishment from the performer or the choreographer.

sad.

[AsshoNext]

someone who judges a performance depending on the appearance and size of the dancer has no place to even be considered worth it to be listened to in the first place. you don't call anyone fat, at least be politically correct and polite about it. doesn't matter the size of the dancer it is how he/she dances and the time and heart they put into it. get it straight.

[AcemanJones]

Response #1:

Hate to break it to you, but classical ballet is a VISUAL ART form: appearance DOES count. How much "heart" a person has is the virtual equivalent of their dreams...giving this value is a fantasy in real life, otherwise every little girl would grow up to be a prima ballerina...how much work and effort is expended (and the final result thereof) is much more imperative.

[AvalonFae]

I agree with "AsshoNext". The most important part of appearance in dance IS how much heart you put into it. The very first prima ballerinas were not as thin as some of the dancers are today. But yet, they are still well known for their beautiful technique. And a very important part of technique is the spirit, lightness, and strength you put into your performances. One cannot move as a work of art without your heart being in it completely. THAT is what people notice 1st, not the body type.

[AcemanJones]

Perhaps true, perhaps. But I would still not call this performance or the choreography "light" or well-spirited. It reads to me as dull and flat and heavy, and that's what reads.

[andsusul]

EXACTLY. Its visual. Thank you.

And aceman, you definitely made sense in your response.

[AcemanJones]

Response #2:

But, ok, "Assho", let's reword it: Her execution is clunky. Her sense of ballon is heavy. There's no lift. She's not very turned out. The choreography doesn't use the space or "speak", mostly consisting of bourrée and piqué coupe. Considering this, the dancer may want to work through her feet more to accent the steps. It's an elaborate costume and detailed music; yet it's a rather plain dance piece. That's what I meant when I said, "no great accomplishment" Get THAT straight.

[AcemanJones]

Response #3:

"at least be politically correct and polite"???? Welcome to the real world of real life ballet...where professional dancers have thick skins to critical opinions.

I would assume someone performing on such a grand scale as with the Mariinsky Ballet would not mind calling a spade, a spade...a really FAT spade.

[andsusul]

I agree with you for the most part. Obviously dance has come to integrate beauty of movement with emotion, but its also aesthetic. If you don't like what you see, then that defeats the purpose of seeing it. imo.

I think she looks fine, but i think the costume and her shoes are fitted wrong, making her look almost sloppy.

That being said I think she did an okay job. It wasnt steller. I think her foot work could use some help, but her upper body was amazingly graceful.

[AcemanJones]

I don't think the costume is flattering, no, and it's hard to see her real body under it.

And the shoes look stiff, unbroken-in, and a poor fit.

It's all very old-school and yesterday.

[manicmichelle419]

@AcemanJones ...obviously



[1maddy3]

why do people always have to make bad comments? shes a dancer and she's good at it! get over it!

[morgan1264]

i thought that she did a beautiful job. and it doesnt look like shes struggling at all. i believe her feet look exactly like what they are supposed to look like.

[Ballet4LiiFE]

the best part is that u can see her grace and that she was really having fun while dancing this.

[Judeldidu]

wunderschön...

[balletlovergirl]

Pretty good, butvher arch isn't very good. Nothing much I couldn't do.

[teotiste88]

debo confesar que amo el ballet con toda mi alma... "una cosa es bailar con los pies y otra es bailar con el corazon"

[murkin11]

I don't see her struggle at all. She remained over her boxes when she was trying to. The dance has steps where she changes quickly, in a walking fashion, from pointe to flat. She moves quickly across the floor completely on pointe, so I don't understand what you are talking about. She is very, very graceful.

[dancerave88]

prettygood.

[anonymousalice]

What is wrong with her feet? It looks like she is not on full pointe sometimes. It looks like she's struggling. Or is that just part of the dance?

[andsusul]

I think she was struggling to stay over gher boxes cayse sometimes it looked like she was merely scrunching her toes and not actually arching her feet.... It was an interesting ballet though...

[AcemanJones]

I think she's struggling.

[hardcoredance4]

who is she and what is the ballet.

[heliosnek]

she's Olga Chenchikova dancing the russian dance of "Swan lake".

[singerballerina]

Ok, I have to correct myself for typing too fast. Russians not Russian's and impact not inpact.

[singerballerina]

Why argue this? It's really a matter of opinion and everyone has there own. There's no denying that the Russian's have had an extreme and wondeful inpact on the world of ballet. However, there's also no denying that some astounding dancers have come from other places. Why not leave it at that?

[Ballet4LiiFE]

No the ppl ARE right.. Russians are the best!! Dont hate =]

[DrMontague]

Who is the violinist please?

[blackballet1]

The French are probably!!

[balletrocksmysocks22]

umm excuse me russians are not the best ballet dancers so be quiet! I bet you don't know anything about ballet!

[KnowsBallet]

And who would you suggest are the best ballet dancers?

[AcemanJones]

Americans.

[loreinluna]

gracefull, she is really enjoiying her dance

[radostsguy]

A different, but delightful, take on the Pas de Deux, Act 2, of Swan Lake.

[melbapatti]

A tape exists of a Wolf Trap, USA performance of her in Swan Lake. Her Odette was monumentally elegant on this particular evening. Truly one of the most emotional and moving performances ever. Remember I told you first.

[minhali]

I love her kokoshnyk!

[michaelfraydon]

Thanks for sharing! Beautifully Russian!

[Angelsforsaken]

Russian truely are the best dancers! The way she walks so pretty on her pointers! The Best!

[Signoricci]

This dance like Russian soul.

[jumpinggirl]

she's so graceful and she uses her hands and arms beautifully!

[Lovemykitten]

Beautifull.

[grandallegro]

I love this music!!!

[irishdncbabe]

very pretty.