Raisa Struchkova - Solo from 'Don Quixote'

[Lissbirds]

The orchestra can barely keep up with her. :)

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Lissbirds - that's a very good way to put it! :>>

[xjackybx]

wish i could feel like that during pointe class..:/

[nickwallacesmith]

@xjackybx - yes, she is totally alive - all electric energy!

[judyanddavid]

What wonderful, vivacious dancing. I think it takes real artistry to make that 'St Petersburg Spanish' come alive and seem absolutely fresh and joyful. Many thanks for posting another gem.

[nickwallacesmith]

@judyanddavid - isn't she totally alive - down to the tips of her fingers and toes - it's what made this a 'must post' piece of film

[cubanmiamiboy]

Yes.Nick..and her bourrees are just to die for...!!! Pure liquid.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi cubanmiamiboy - aren't they! shows up the clunky bourrees of so many other dancers - and she has a vitality that makes the expression live - not just a dead classical exercise

[nickwallacesmith]

@cubanmiamiboy - sorry it was a bolshoi performance!

[cubanmiamiboy]

Dios mio...such LOVELY arms...!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi cubanmiamiboy - yes - so dancers have 'dead' arms acompared with the rest of their limbs

[ditogam]

Nck, Love to see my beloved Nina's teacher in FIRE dancing, now I can see how can she inspired her

[nickwallacesmith]

hi ditogam - sh'e SO alive in this clip

[Qbendanny]

Who the hell dances like that nowadays?

That is a Kitri variation the way it's supposed to be!

[nickwallacesmith]

i love the vitality and the attack - the old Bolshoi style - and it works so well for kitri which can be spoiled if down too politely!

[Qbendanny]

I totally agree Nick, I don't like the slow down to the echappes to attitude turns, which 98% of the time are never smooth and clean (For all the posturing...) Any up date on the Markova top secret D Swan?

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Qbendanny

to get the bad news out of the way first ... no luck on the secret swan ... but i am pretty terrier-like and won't let it go

baryshnikov (in 'baryshnikov at work') seems to put a similar emphasis on executing steps cleanly - and i find it's one of the things i unconsciously look for in a dancer

back to swan searching!

[nickwallacesmith]

hey DCFunBud

yeah, Raissa's dancing involves every part of her body - she's totally alive dance-wise

something that was once said of pavlova

CYA

nick

[DCFunBud]

Supreme musicality. What a powerhouse!