pietragalla - nijinsky's le sacre du printemps

[TheTristanoz]

I never laughed so hard in my entire life, thank you.

[jockboy69]

I would think that a ballerina would have to unlearn everything she's ever known in order to be able to dance like this!

[fatovamingus]

@jockboy69 very astute observation!

[jockboy69]

I was a member of a Columbia record club in H.S. They would send a LP disc very month, featuring pieces (or sections) of new releases.

One of the most memorable discs contained an interview with Stravinsky, specifically about the premiere of Rite of Spring, in 1913. He was talking about the rehearsals prior to the opening. And things were not going well at all. Finally, Najinsky says to Stravinsky, "okay, I'll count to 40 and we see where we come out."

(Cont'd, next Comment.)

[jockboy69]

Stravinsky observed about N's remark (50 years later, of course): "What Najinsky didn't seem to understand is that, just because we might come out together, does not mean AT ALL, that we were together ON THE WAY."

A very telling statement, I thought. I listened to that interview hundreds of times, and will never forget his remarks.

[mithrilmoon1]

@jockboy69 Yes indeed, just as Nijinksky's chosen original cast had to do. The turned-in feet, the odd, totally un-balletic steps, posture and arm movements, the almost undance-able score with its complicated time signatures - no wonder the original Chosen One, Maria Pilz, used to protest so often and so passionately at rehearsals. Pietragalla's performance is all the more remarkable due to her being only 19. Fantastic!

[mjtpli]

Maybe I'm just being contrary, but I think Nijinsky would have said "Stop making it so pretty!" I miss the raw primitive power from some of the other versions you've posted (such as Zenaida Yanowsky & Beatriz Rodriguez); I'm mostly left with a sense of her overwhelming grace but little notion of a terrified young teenager being forced to dance herself to death.

[fatovamingus]

@mjtpli No, I think you make a pretty good point. There's an absence of drama absolutely and there's also an absence of the live ensemble and orchestra etc. This was from a filmed performance of 4 variations of Le Sacre choreographies . I've never seen a "live" performance of Pietragalla in this role but I have seen photos and have one on my blog which is much more emotional just in the still shot...I get your point completely. Thanks for the comment too.

[mithrilmoon1]

@mjtpli She seems to me to be slipping in and out of numbness - of resigned acceptance of her fate because she knows how necessary her death is to the eventual success of the future harvest - and yet, now and then, desperately trying to do that very human thing - trying somehow to survive, to escape, even to beg for mercy - before the last vestige of breath and life leave her body. She and those around her know that, once the dance has begun, there can be only one outcome.

[naniwa]

The pure genius of Nijinsky's choreography is only matched here by Pietragalla's stunning performance.Thank you so much for uploading it.

[fatovamingus]

@naniwa I agree with you completely. I'm writing in detail about Le Sacre on my blog this month as it will be 98 years ago on the 29th that it was performed. You can find the link on my channel if you are interested and thank you for your comment.

[mithrilmoon1]

@naniwa A wonderful performance. I don't see an 'absence of drama' - rather I see a young woman almost stupefied by her inescapable fate. She has no choice but to see this through, regardless of the pain, fear, exhaustion and isolation of having been 'chosen'. Bear in mind that SHE believes utterly in the necessity of such a sacrifice. Only now and then does she try to escape her fate - she is human, after all - but her mostly mask-like expression suggests resignation.

[finnetmoi]

She's amazing! her 'lightness on her feet'...I wish I could dance this way. And the way Nijinsky choreographed this with the unnatural poses, and Stravinsky's erratic tempo, this could not have been easy!! I also love the idea of 'dancing to death!'

[fatovamingus]

Ah! I love your comment! Please come read my blog. You'll find the link on my youtube channel profile. Happy to meet you,

Fatova