Here's a ballet legend: it was the last night of '76 summer season at the Met, and this great dancer and artist who was supposed to be "past his prime" got a standing ovation in the middle of the ballet for this variation, only better. Now that's like Secretariat winning the Belmont by 31 lengths: it doesn't happen. But I saw it. Nureyev stopped the show. Make no mistake: this was a great man and a great artist and dancer, truly non pareil. We will not see his like again. Ever.
@ferocityqueen i totally agree nuryev was what baryshnikov was to everyone else. his beats were so fast and clear. his musicality was phenom and i miss seeing him dance all the videos of him are so great its so sad he died before i got to see him in person
It's not all about technique,although the basics are THE most important thing in ballet whatever people say.It's the art and the passion,the unique own style that separates the true artists from the step-executing machines.Look at Nureyev's electrifying presence,at the passion with that he throws himself at the steps,notice his musicality.Does anyone doubt in his legend???
Some other things: The youtube format does not do justice to the speed of those chainees at the end, he is really flying (if you can see the original film) Its a wonder that his wig stayed on! Or was that his real hair?
Note how HIGH his double tours are. Note how high his cabrioles are, feet way off the floor. Note the tempo and speed of his chaines, this man pushed his body to its limits, it appears he was taking chances not playing it 'safe'.. Todays dancers seem to be too careful - RN was Mr. Maximum effort and thus got maximum results.
USABEAT, you are absolutely correct. He was in no way "playing it safe". I saw Nureyev perform this during the 1977 tour and even now, remembering it, it was stupendous. His speed and grace was astonishing. People gasped and looked at whoever was next to them to confirm they had really just seen what had happened. Breathtakingly amazing!
i must say i never really liked nureyev... he simply wasnt my cup of tea... since im the newer generation i suppose.. but this one i really like especially the choreography :P
The thing is its harder for we younger generations to understand, becouse now days most male dancers, simkin, bolle, kumakawa are very athletic and flexiable. Nureyev was the first of his kind. The ballet world had never seen anything like him and therefore he was considerd a wonder. He set of the relationship idea when performing pas de duex, before him the men were just props, alllowing the women to show off.
well there were men before him like vasiliev and vladmirov who were great :P and soloviev.. i wouldnt call him the first of his kind... just the first to become so famous in america... anyway im VERY happy with the way ballet has evolved today :P imagine twenty years from now where we'll be...?
@MrNocco Actually it's funny you should mention Vasiliev and Soloviev: both were actually the same age as Nureyev. Nureyev and Vasiliev were in the same Moscow competition in 1958, and Soloviev was on the same tour as Nureyev when he defected in Paris. Vladimirov is acutally close to 10 years younger than Nureyev, around the same time as Baryshnikov, although Vladimirov stylistically is a bit old fashioned, technically he was inventing new steps. See his diana and Acteon from '78...
@JeremyNasmith jeremy,in my opinion both soloviev and vasiliev were much better than rudy.l saw live rudy and volodia many times,no comparation among them.but he had all the great pubblicity of a clamorous defection in ful cold war time,peter schauffus too was much better
@pediatrapaola they were good, but i really love nureyev in this one look at how hard this version is!!! double assemble before the tours, 3 beats after the third tour, barrels into jetés and many many many turns between the jetés... i have dances bejarts "rite of spring" but i would seriously die if i danced half of this :S
@MrNocco WAS GOOD (FOR A PERIOD)SIMPLY THE OTHERS WERE BETTER.DID YOU DANCE SACRE OF BEJART?LOVED SO MUCH AND SAW MANY TIMES AT THE TIME OF GLORIOUS BALLET DU XX SIECLE.
I for one hope ballet does not continue on the same path. Nowadays there are many great technicians, but very few true artists. Ballet becomes increasingly more soulless and boring. It is really disapponting, but the feeling is not there anymore!
I agree on that. As he's getting older, he's getting more expressive and his technique has always been great! I have hopes for him. But I cannot say anybody else comes in mind. Well, there is always hope. One way or another tha ballet is an undying art!
Here's a ballet legend: it was the last night of '76 summer season at the Met, and this great dancer and artist who was supposed to be "past his prime" got a standing ovation in the middle of the ballet for this variation, only better. Now that's like Secretariat winning the Belmont by 31 lengths: it doesn't happen. But I saw it. Nureyev stopped the show. Make no mistake: this was a great man and a great artist and dancer, truly non pareil. We will not see his like again. Ever.
LinHiril 2 months ago
my favorite
alf17041 4 months ago
MEJOR BAILARÍN, VLADIMIR VASILIEV, DIOS DE LA DANZA, PERO CLARO NO DESERTÓ.
Maripudelmonaco 5 months ago
Comment removed
Chiswick2 5 months ago
This video made me change my mind about Nureyev. I always figured he got by on his charisma, but those jumps at the end were pretty impressive.
aprilthrusday 6 months ago
@ferocityqueen i totally agree nuryev was what baryshnikov was to everyone else. his beats were so fast and clear. his musicality was phenom and i miss seeing him dance all the videos of him are so great its so sad he died before i got to see him in person
sylvieguillemfanx10 8 months ago
It's not all about technique,although the basics are THE most important thing in ballet whatever people say.It's the art and the passion,the unique own style that separates the true artists from the step-executing machines.Look at Nureyev's electrifying presence,at the passion with that he throws himself at the steps,notice his musicality.Does anyone doubt in his legend???
FerocityQueen 1 year ago
what was his age in this clip?
KALEIDOSCOPEN 1 year ago
@KALEIDOSCOPEN HE WAS BORN IN 38,SO WAS 39
pediatrapaola 1 year ago
We all love you Rudolf. Today still nobody does it like you!
pianotalent 1 year ago
a normal person would burst his longs if he did that...
MrNocco 1 year ago
Some other things: The youtube format does not do justice to the speed of those chainees at the end, he is really flying (if you can see the original film) Its a wonder that his wig stayed on! Or was that his real hair?
USABEAT 2 years ago
Note how HIGH his double tours are. Note how high his cabrioles are, feet way off the floor. Note the tempo and speed of his chaines, this man pushed his body to its limits, it appears he was taking chances not playing it 'safe'.. Todays dancers seem to be too careful - RN was Mr. Maximum effort and thus got maximum results.
USABEAT 2 years ago
USABEAT, you are absolutely correct. He was in no way "playing it safe". I saw Nureyev perform this during the 1977 tour and even now, remembering it, it was stupendous. His speed and grace was astonishing. People gasped and looked at whoever was next to them to confirm they had really just seen what had happened. Breathtakingly amazing!
MonaAllegra 1 year ago
Absolutely brilliant! the first of his kind. Only Nureyev with all his har work could have accomplished this coreography with such success.
jebustillos 2 years ago
i must say i never really liked nureyev... he simply wasnt my cup of tea... since im the newer generation i suppose.. but this one i really like especially the choreography :P
MrNocco 2 years ago
The thing is its harder for we younger generations to understand, becouse now days most male dancers, simkin, bolle, kumakawa are very athletic and flexiable. Nureyev was the first of his kind. The ballet world had never seen anything like him and therefore he was considerd a wonder. He set of the relationship idea when performing pas de duex, before him the men were just props, alllowing the women to show off.
mattsheldonlovesdanc 2 years ago
well there were men before him like vasiliev and vladmirov who were great :P and soloviev.. i wouldnt call him the first of his kind... just the first to become so famous in america... anyway im VERY happy with the way ballet has evolved today :P imagine twenty years from now where we'll be...?
MrNocco 2 years ago
@MrNocco Actually it's funny you should mention Vasiliev and Soloviev: both were actually the same age as Nureyev. Nureyev and Vasiliev were in the same Moscow competition in 1958, and Soloviev was on the same tour as Nureyev when he defected in Paris. Vladimirov is acutally close to 10 years younger than Nureyev, around the same time as Baryshnikov, although Vladimirov stylistically is a bit old fashioned, technically he was inventing new steps. See his diana and Acteon from '78...
JeremyNasmith 2 years ago
@JeremyNasmith jeremy,in my opinion both soloviev and vasiliev were much better than rudy.l saw live rudy and volodia many times,no comparation among them.but he had all the great pubblicity of a clamorous defection in ful cold war time,peter schauffus too was much better
pediatrapaola 1 year ago
@pediatrapaola they were good, but i really love nureyev in this one look at how hard this version is!!! double assemble before the tours, 3 beats after the third tour, barrels into jetés and many many many turns between the jetés... i have dances bejarts "rite of spring" but i would seriously die if i danced half of this :S
MrNocco 1 year ago
@MrNocco WAS GOOD (FOR A PERIOD)SIMPLY THE OTHERS WERE BETTER.DID YOU DANCE SACRE OF BEJART?LOVED SO MUCH AND SAW MANY TIMES AT THE TIME OF GLORIOUS BALLET DU XX SIECLE.
pediatrapaola 1 year ago
@pediatrapaola it is not all about perfection... it was his look... he was such a gorgeous person...
goingcarving 7 months ago
@JeremyNasmith SHOULD CALL IT DIANA AND VLADIMIROV PDD REAL ACTEON COULD NOT COMPETE.SAW IN FIRST 70'S LIVE PERF ACTEON WOOW
pediatrapaola 1 year ago
I for one hope ballet does not continue on the same path. Nowadays there are many great technicians, but very few true artists. Ballet becomes increasingly more soulless and boring. It is really disapponting, but the feeling is not there anymore!
Katatha75 2 years ago
well russia still knows how to entertain people :P
especially their new Ivan Vasiliev <3
He really reminds me of the old greats :P
MrNocco 2 years ago
I agree on that. As he's getting older, he's getting more expressive and his technique has always been great! I have hopes for him. But I cannot say anybody else comes in mind. Well, there is always hope. One way or another tha ballet is an undying art!
Katatha75 2 years ago
nice
AHRZAMANBALASY 2 years ago
This is my favorite variation and he is my favorite dancer thank you so much for posting this!!! x D
jeffreypk4 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this doublecabriole! I love this clip - Nureyev breaking another land speed record to a Tchaikovsky tune. Amazing!
MonaAllegra 2 years ago