Dame Alicia Markova - 'Bolero 1830' (1953)

[Firestarjude]

I can see why Fonteyn called her the most ethereal of ballerinas.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Firestarjude - yes, and it's even more evident in the 'les sylphides' i uploaded recently - added to this quality she was as the critic clement crisp said 'people said she was a light as thistle down and she was'. the physical quality compliments the expressive quality.

[juanbosco31]

Alicia en el recuerdo ..

[nickwallacesmith]

hola juanbosco31 - en la memoria de hecho - el 'bolero' es poingnant estar tan cerca del final de su carrera

[Qbendanny]

As for the Cor. it's probably by Alicia herself. "She was as smart as a whip" (Walter Terry..). Though she always played "dumb" around Dolin...

[nickwallacesmith]

hi danny - not sure what you're referring to as 'the Cor' - a dumb moment on my part no doubt :<

[Qbendanny]

@nickwallacesmith - The dumb moment is mine. Choreography! That's better. Alicia, even here in this brief folklore piece offers her trademark lightness and relaxed center. Taglioni for all her historical fame, I guarantee you never danced like Markova, her heir. As for that copyright mumbo jumbo, it seems a lot of the joy in the world is in the hands of lawyers. Asco!!. I have a lot of catching up to do with your many posts!! Un abrazon, Danny

[nickwallacesmith]

hi danny - no the dumb moment is definitely mine - 'cor' to choregraphy' is obvious when i think about it. and yes her almost trademark lightness is in good evident here - and 'relaxed centre' is such a good way to indentify a characteristic i've long sensed but not been able to give words to. i have bursts of uploading - and look forward to hearing from you again i hope, best as always, nick

[Qbendanny]

Nick, it was during this Pillow summer that VIP guest Markova danced the fabled Dying Swan I have been raving about. The other was this "Elssler" lithograph inspired Spanish cachucha.

[nickwallacesmith]

hey danny - to have sen her 'dying swan' is really something - lucky you! ok, so this work here was "Elssler" lithograph inspired - makes sense - do you know who choreograhed it?

[Qbendanny]

@nickwallacesmith - This clip you posted is from the Jacob's Pillow film I told you about 40yrs. ago I saw in Greenwhich Village. Wherever you got this from, the Markova D.S. must be there.Damien Woetzla. e-mailed me saying the "Pillow has no plans to put on YT the Markova Dying Swan", to which I replied, "WHY NOT"! (no answer). If I run into him in NY I will ask him. As I have stated Fokine asked Alicia to perform it and taught it to her. It is peerless. Alex, rbv, posted a striking Somova DS.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi danny - hope you're able to keep the pressure up to have this footage public - it's probably out of copyright - it's a 50 year limit and can't be taken up after that by new owners, a lawyer whose firm deals with intellectual property tells me, cheers