Well, this wasn't perfect, but it wasn't bad too. And she looks really young in this video. I don't really understand the negative comments. She was good in this.
lol she practically had to force her leg down at 0:19 ! she is amazing in this variation her upper body was relaxed and her balance WAS good and stop saying her foot was sickled and blablabla because maybe it was but so what? its understandable after 30 italien fouettes! no one is perfect ever!
1:08, Horribly sickled foot! I was amazed when I saw that, how could such a wonderful balelrina do that? of course they all have their "off" moments, but man was that awful. wonderful variation otherwise, though
i will be the first to hold up my hand and admit that i am an out-of-shape, overweight housewife...but to me, Ms Somova doesn't have the technique and cache that Svetlana Zakharova has; and she always looks a bit off-balance...could i do what she does? not in a million years, and i respect her as an artist...but as a consumer of ballet, i have my opinion, and for me, Svetlana Zakharova is the superior dancer. JMHO.
the only reason why there is all this talking about Alina Somova is the striking contrast between the length of her legs and her total lack of en-dehors, the dramatic contrast between her vulgar attitude and the prestigious rank she covers
By the way, she is (obviously) improved, but this is not the point
look at the 1° position demi-plié she take during her italian fouettes..
@joelle1475 J`espere que c`est une blague!!! Elle est jolie et danse bien mais completement en dedans du bassin jusqu`au genoux. Sylvie Guillem etait exceptionelle dans cette variation et surtout plus jeune
Very beautiful!! except for the end...her fouettes were traveling a lot, and did anyone notice that her foot was majorrrlllly sickles in the sousou at the end?!
I'm doing this variation for a competition, and Alina is the best to watch I've found so far. :) But is it just me, or is she just a little ahead of her music in the beginning? anyways, wonderful, wonderful.
I find it hard to believe that this pretty teenager is the same gorgeous dancer who performed Giselle at the Kennedy Center on Feb. 11. She has blossomed into a great ballerina with beautiful lines, soaring grand jetes and fine acting. Bravo, Alina!
Alina Somova is by far the most interesting dancer to inhabit ballet Olympus. She is unique and very charismatic which accounts for the fact that she is the most talked about ballerina in the world. Even those, who claim not to like her, crowd around her videos. Personally I like Somova in certain parts. I believe she is the finest Nikiya today and the most exciting Odile ever. Other roles, like Kitri, I don't care much for but enjoy watching them nevertheless.
OK...i do think her technique is faaaaar from other fantastic dancers, but...there is something about her, her expression, her sweetness...that makes her a real ballerina. That is all i have to say.
Manderson610, you´ve completely missed the point of my comment, by about 5 miles. I am also a fan of hers, but my point is (for the record) that the negativity about her are written by people who can´t even begin to dream to attempt dance as well as she does in this video. And 85% of the snarky critics on YTprobably do weigh more than 105 lbs.
Also, if you watch more recent videos of Ms. Somova, you will se an improvement in her positions, muscle strength and musicality.
@RegularJesus, it's not about weight or the audience's ability.Dance is a lot of things, including competitive.People are going to critique b/c when a faction of the population is striving for artistic & athletic perfection (and ballet certainly has both), that effort and its success or failure are just begging to be judged as well as appreciated; it's human nature. I find her extreme extension a little gawky & out-of-control-looking at times;she'll either control it & grow as an artist, or not.
I actually thought this was beautiful! Im usually not a fan of hers: like her don q, but I think she does this role well- light, bouncy, and with lovely technique
she did good nd she did do turn out its just her turn out isnt as open as others. wow. i cant believe you guys are so dumb. if you cant do better then dont criticize. half of u cant even walk for 1 minute nd 21 seconds without getting tired
Möchtest du erfahren mit welchem System meine Partner bis zu 1900 EUROS monatlich verdiene? Nebenbei zu meinem alltäglichen Job? Klickt auf mck-team c0m und ANSCHAUEN :)!
What happened to fifth positions and turned out legs? This are the things you learn in the begining. How is she a principal when she doesn't know this things and how to be graceful?
I think she dances wonderfully. A bit off on the technique (but only slightly), otherwise she's a lovely dancer. People should stop complaining about her -- if she weren't a good dancer, she wouldn't have been pushed into the spotlight at the Mariinsky!
She has really nice extensions- but her technique is not that great. Maybe she should focus more on polishing her technique rather than settling on what she believed she has already.
wow, that extention is great, but it doesnt mean anything if you cant use your turnout. Maybe she should concentrate more on getting the most of her turnout, and less on getting her leg up, She looks like a student. And yes her musicality is off as well.
un peu mécanique dans les fouettés qui restent quand même somptueux, ses bras sont parfois un peu souples, mais elle est quand même l'une des plus brillante interprète actuelle, tant pis pour la critique
@Cheersquad4evz I TOTALLY Agree with you. -.- She is not off the music. She isn't even un-musical at all. Maybe she has been, when she was younger (she acted Odette at 18), but now she's become really, really good! I've been dancing ballet for 12 years now and I still take lessons and I've seen a lot of ballerinas. I've also seen her in Russia, St Petersburg, doing a gorgeous Odette. I think her bad reputation is unjustified. Just because she's a bit modern, she isn't a show-pony! Gosh!
I hate all you guys' shitty comments! She is very good! But I agreed that she is a little bit not good in this variation. But she is now a very good dancer and she is extremely good! Just perfectly fabulous!
on her italian fouettes she wouldn't lose her center and have to hop and travel so much if she could focus on other things than putting her leg up higher than it needs to be!
Whate ever you think to those of you that put her down, she puts our British dancers to shame, Remember she is with the world renowned Kirov, they wouldn't give her that part if she was not up for it, she is doing her best, Why then dont our 'Royal Ballet' hav dancers of this calibre...She is very good.......
@mikekirov1@mikekirov1 You got to be kidding What dancer at the royal ballet is she putting down?
I know its not Marienella Nunez !!!! I don't get Alinas success Russian trained ballet dancers dont roll thru their point .isn't it basic Why does her legs look like an albatros's broken wing think bad Placement . was she trained so that if she didn't make it as a dancer there was always the russian circus shes an investment !!!
@havenization - agreed. Marc Haegman recently put together a list of Alina's troubling technical and artistic flaws on his site (while also pointing out some nice things about her dancing). The one that sticks out is that "her fouettes make her look like a polio victim." LOL. And the Royal Ballet ballerinas are hands down, in my opinion, MUCH stronger in all ways right now than the current crop of Maryinsky stars. It's hard for die hard lovers of the Russian tradition to accept this.
Why are you people giving her critique? This isn't a video she posted, and she's not going to read the comments because she's a top dancer. Point is this isnt her video so dont waste your time on trying to critisize this amazing dancer
I saw the documentary "Ballerina" when she was just a corps member, and a coryphee by the end of it... I don't really see much improvement in her dancing, but I'm hoping that she proves me wrong and fixes some of the basic problems that she has with her turnout, and really using her feet, because she could really be STUNNING if she did.
I have a funny feeling 85% of the people typing negative comments on this dancer are themselves 325 lbs of pure fat. Your comments say far more about you, than they do about Miss Somova.
@RegularJesus i see your point but actually she's been severely criticized not only by amateurs. Her skills actually give people reason for critics. and even if you're not a professional ballet dancer you're able to spot mistakes whether in her technique, extensions, whatever.
p.s. i am not hating on her. she clearly has a beautiful extension and is well-trained, but i'm just mystified as to how she is being offered so many prime roles when she still needs to iron out her problems.
can someone please direct me to a video where she's improved? on all of these youtubes people say "she's improving, don't worry." well i haven't seen improvement in a single one of them: she has wacky arms, bad turnout, atrocious fouettes. overall her dancing is very juvenile and amateur, like a student. i'm not sure how she got hired because she definitely doesn't uphold the russian dancer reputation.
Her pointe control is good but I agree fully about her turnout. You only have to watch dancers like Cojocaru or Rojo to see what a difference this makes.
I think what bothers me is her lack of turnout in the thighs. No amount of extension or leg length can hide that and that's also why her line looks so odd, like a caricature. She's' obviously very well-coached but one gets the feeling she's working very close to the limit of her abilities. I don't get the sense of total security in her technique and she seems to hide her insecurity by flinging her leg up as high as it will go, placement and purity of line be damned.
elle est presque trop souple ... on défois elle manque de se déséquilibrer ... et du coup à cause de ses jambes supra extensibles elle parait molle ! dommage !
I watched her dance Juliet on the Mariinsky's UK tour last week and she was utterly enchanting, beautifully light and very inspiring. This video does not do justice to her! Also, in Russia the conductor is frequently ruled by the ballerina so I don't think that's a fair comment about her musicality.
yeah, i read that. It was something to do with her dance style not being so classic, they were slagging off her extensive flexibility too, what on earth.
She is hated because, to many, she seems to only care about getting her leg up as high as she can (at the expense of line and music), and because she's often noted as being one of the most singularly un-musical ballerinas out there, who's also accused of putting on airs and milking the applause - basically a symbol of what some see as the downward trajectory of the once glorious Maryinsky tradition.
I think because she has no control over her legs and her extensions are THE craziest in all of ballet. Her technique is sloppy too. But I think she's beautiful with great potential. She just needs to tone it down
excuse me but she happens to possibly one of the most legendary ballerinas in the history of ballet. if she wants to make her hands look like that than let her be. she will be better than you no matter how hard you try.
Unless dancecrazyhuman happens to be a beautiful dancer with gorgeous arms. I didn't like her arms either. They had that "juvenile" kind of look to them. Like a pre-teen girl's look when she dances. Arms are a huge distraction for me, especially because it's the one part of my body that I find the hardest to make look acceptable when I dance.
Danse is not only tequnique, It is also beauty. On 8th of July I saw Alina Somova dancing Don Quixote at Mariinsky Theater (St. Petersburg). I realized that it is too easy to feel happy..
Oh yeah. I see what you mean. It would have been nicer if she stayed in the ecarte and attitude a little longer, but she did make it look really effortless.
Yes she is flexible, however, she needs to stay on her leg during her fouette. Look at how the camera has to move after every two or three fouettes! jesus
my word ppl are so critical! just enjoy the dance... we are all different and interpret differently. maybe dancing brings her the greatest joy. hav some respect. i think she does a superb job!!! amazing technique and expression.
I dont like her style of dancing, its too showy. To me she seems to be going through movements- she doesnt interpret the music or add any soul or expression. Compared to Marinela Nunez, Tamara Rojo and Alina Cojucara just to name a few she isn't much of a dancer. That is just my opionion of course, but I dont know....there is just something not right.
mariinka org has lots of high quality pictures of Somova as well as other great Mariinsky dancers. Go to Forum and then click on the title "Mariinsky above the World".
The clip that came to be known as "Somova variation" is that popular not because Alina is pretty, nor because she is charming and not even because she is a darn good dancer. It is popular because her radiantly youthful soul shines through the dance brining Petipas genius close to our generation. And I thank Alina for that every genius needs his Muse, even some 150 years after.
i thought the fouettes were great lol maybe because im only 14 lol to the 12 year old that claims this variaton is EASY and can do it well let me say that you might not be very good at dancing it maybe GOSH what yu sed was extremely rude and insulting to the person that danced this especially hearing that from a 12 year old..... much love renee xx
oh honey, we don't doubt you can do the variation, you just can't do it as good as her! it's about how gracefuly, beautifully, cleanly, and artistically you can do the variation! i think anyone who dances could DO the variation.
while a good performance, i find that she seems to be off balance during those Italian fouettes probably due to her extension throwing her off balance, because in a more recent video, she was very stable during the Italian fouettes.
i don't really like her hands and i'm not sure if it was frm the quality that we couldn't see her facial expressions - but she didn't make her work look effortless. but what can i say she is utimately very talented
her balances... are just... WOW. I love Alina, she really dances her character [like, she seems to understand their 'style'- like, just subtle things about different roles...] she's AMAZING <333
It's a shame such a gorgeus dancer dancing such a horrible music. I hate the militar style march made by men in a century where the war was common thing and gloryfied. Paquita has a deep momment for me, but the rest I don't like. But the most boring ballet ever is Gisselle. I love Tchaikovsky and he use that militar style sometimes. But here there are some variations that are perfect for a militar parade...The refined work from a great dancer should be expressed with the same level in music!!!
What a curious thing to say! Perhaps Balanchine equally can't choreograph Balanchine? Nee Georgij Balanchivadze was bown in St. Petersburg, Russia, attended Imperial Ballet school and danced at the Mariinsky Theatre. Shortly after arriving to the United States he choreographed "Serenade".
perfection.
bellaruni786 1 week ago
Well, this wasn't perfect, but it wasn't bad too. And she looks really young in this video. I don't really understand the negative comments. She was good in this.
26LGL26 3 weeks ago
OMG!!!!! Why is she so perfect!!!
french7chic 3 weeks ago
Felt like I was watching YAGP !!! :(
dancingboy97 1 month ago
woooooooww!! she is amazing.. her foot is beautiful, her legs is amazing!!
gabibarba98 1 month ago
My Idol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3
NatashaADanceStar 1 month ago
Alina is awesome...I could watch her all day...haters suck...
AndreJDaniels 1 month ago 2
Flawless
nodoubtfreak95 2 months ago
0.49 to 1.11 wooooooowwww amazinglol
LilasRose1973 4 months ago
Just beautiful
raditudedude 4 months ago
lol she practically had to force her leg down at 0:19 ! she is amazing in this variation her upper body was relaxed and her balance WAS good and stop saying her foot was sickled and blablabla because maybe it was but so what? its understandable after 30 italien fouettes! no one is perfect ever!
LRBSballerinaz 5 months ago 2
1:08, Horribly sickled foot! I was amazed when I saw that, how could such a wonderful balelrina do that? of course they all have their "off" moments, but man was that awful. wonderful variation otherwise, though
EvanescenceROCKSS 6 months ago
i will be the first to hold up my hand and admit that i am an out-of-shape, overweight housewife...but to me, Ms Somova doesn't have the technique and cache that Svetlana Zakharova has; and she always looks a bit off-balance...could i do what she does? not in a million years, and i respect her as an artist...but as a consumer of ballet, i have my opinion, and for me, Svetlana Zakharova is the superior dancer. JMHO.
cyd525 6 months ago
@cyd525 definitely agree with you there. :)
EvanescenceROCKSS 6 months ago
Somova is wonderful, i love her
aaguilar2002 7 months ago
Can I be Alina Somova? ;p
KLOKLOKLO456 8 months ago
wish i could dance someday like she did
leewing93 8 months ago
Everyone is always looking at technique. Why can't you just enjoy what she is presenting?
geezerhamster 8 months ago
the only reason why there is all this talking about Alina Somova is the striking contrast between the length of her legs and her total lack of en-dehors, the dramatic contrast between her vulgar attitude and the prestigious rank she covers
By the way, she is (obviously) improved, but this is not the point
look at the 1° position demi-plié she take during her italian fouettes..
prossimamente 9 months ago
Cette interprétation est de loin la meilleure, meilleure que celle de Sylvie Guillem.
joelle1475 9 months ago
@joelle1475 J`espere que c`est une blague!!! Elle est jolie et danse bien mais completement en dedans du bassin jusqu`au genoux. Sylvie Guillem etait exceptionelle dans cette variation et surtout plus jeune
sjcrea 6 months ago
Very beautiful!! except for the end...her fouettes were traveling a lot, and did anyone notice that her foot was majorrrlllly sickles in the sousou at the end?!
thefourandonly1 9 months ago
Wow!
lizziebobizie1 9 months ago
STUNNING!
ToThePointeWebshow 9 months ago
How old is Alina?
xmademoisellle 10 months ago
I'm doing this variation for a competition, and Alina is the best to watch I've found so far. :) But is it just me, or is she just a little ahead of her music in the beginning? anyways, wonderful, wonderful.
smithyrockson 11 months ago
I find it hard to believe that this pretty teenager is the same gorgeous dancer who performed Giselle at the Kennedy Center on Feb. 11. She has blossomed into a great ballerina with beautiful lines, soaring grand jetes and fine acting. Bravo, Alina!
miltonmq 11 months ago
Sensational Alina Somova will dance Giselle at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC on Feb. 9 (Wed) and Feb. 11 (Fri night).
ichebat 1 year ago 8
Alina Somova is by far the most interesting dancer to inhabit ballet Olympus. She is unique and very charismatic which accounts for the fact that she is the most talked about ballerina in the world. Even those, who claim not to like her, crowd around her videos. Personally I like Somova in certain parts. I believe she is the finest Nikiya today and the most exciting Odile ever. Other roles, like Kitri, I don't care much for but enjoy watching them nevertheless.
ichebat 1 year ago 47
Somova is the only really living thing that came out of classical ballet. She is beyond gorgeous, she id divine.
ilia0708 1 year ago 6
OK...i do think her technique is faaaaar from other fantastic dancers, but...there is something about her, her expression, her sweetness...that makes her a real ballerina. That is all i have to say.
SophieNeveudancer 1 year ago 5
Manderson610, you´ve completely missed the point of my comment, by about 5 miles. I am also a fan of hers, but my point is (for the record) that the negativity about her are written by people who can´t even begin to dream to attempt dance as well as she does in this video. And 85% of the snarky critics on YTprobably do weigh more than 105 lbs.
Also, if you watch more recent videos of Ms. Somova, you will se an improvement in her positions, muscle strength and musicality.
RegularJesus 1 year ago
@RegularJesus, it's not about weight or the audience's ability.Dance is a lot of things, including competitive.People are going to critique b/c when a faction of the population is striving for artistic & athletic perfection (and ballet certainly has both), that effort and its success or failure are just begging to be judged as well as appreciated; it's human nature. I find her extreme extension a little gawky & out-of-control-looking at times;she'll either control it & grow as an artist, or not.
deenibeeni 1 year ago
I actually thought this was beautiful! Im usually not a fan of hers: like her don q, but I think she does this role well- light, bouncy, and with lovely technique
broadwaynballet 1 year ago
People wouldn't be criticizing her if she hadn't been promoted to principal.
Tap2323 1 year ago
she did good nd she did do turn out its just her turn out isnt as open as others. wow. i cant believe you guys are so dumb. if you cant do better then dont criticize. half of u cant even walk for 1 minute nd 21 seconds without getting tired
66breykah66 1 year ago
In fact, she's a great ballerina, but, some people ,who are really traditionalist she's a scandal for the ballet with those extremely high legs!
I think that she is really good in some roles, but in other, like Don Quixote i've seen better, but she's still a great dancer.
Sorry for my bad english, i'm brazilian.
maottani 1 year ago
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Jard7346 1 year ago
she sickles her right foot sometimes especially at 1:08
dtadancer95 1 year ago
@dtadancer95 I see her do that all the time. Every time she goes on pointe I get scared....:-/
egomi24 1 year ago
Möchtest du erfahren mit welchem System meine Partner bis zu 1900 EUROS monatlich verdiene? Nebenbei zu meinem alltäglichen Job? Klickt auf mck-team c0m und ANSCHAUEN :)!
Starlin1462 1 year ago
Shes so close! But she doesn't have enough control and strength in her feet. Good job to her though! :D
a2l4y7 1 year ago
What happened to fifth positions and turned out legs? This are the things you learn in the begining. How is she a principal when she doesn't know this things and how to be graceful?
SuperBalletgirl101 1 year ago
Svetlana Zakharova ! WAY better !!!!
GREATballetDANCER 1 year ago
@GREATballetDANCER yess! you have the reason!
and sorry i push the grong button ;)
loReeBaLletera 1 year ago
I think she dances wonderfully. A bit off on the technique (but only slightly), otherwise she's a lovely dancer. People should stop complaining about her -- if she weren't a good dancer, she wouldn't have been pushed into the spotlight at the Mariinsky!
astghikaguero 1 year ago
This is cat vomit, not ballet.
missiheartballet 1 year ago
She has really nice extensions- but her technique is not that great. Maybe she should focus more on polishing her technique rather than settling on what she believed she has already.
diwataholic 1 year ago 3
wow, that extention is great, but it doesnt mean anything if you cant use your turnout. Maybe she should concentrate more on getting the most of her turnout, and less on getting her leg up, She looks like a student. And yes her musicality is off as well.
bayadererj 1 year ago 3
Gorgeous! I have High extension but nothing like this! I wish I could get my legs that high! :) great job girl! Perfect musicality too!
dancin4god01 1 year ago
even though she's very pretty and her legs are never-ending, there's something a bit strange about her dancing...
her arms seem a bit too flingy and bouncy
when she was doing the grande fouettes, when she came around to the front again, her right arm looked broken halfway between first and second LOL
that and her knees and ankles kept rolling in
jinpitakki33 1 year ago 4
un peu mécanique dans les fouettés qui restent quand même somptueux, ses bras sont parfois un peu souples, mais elle est quand même l'une des plus brillante interprète actuelle, tant pis pour la critique
qatrav 1 year ago
@Cheersquad4evz I TOTALLY Agree with you. -.- She is not off the music. She isn't even un-musical at all. Maybe she has been, when she was younger (she acted Odette at 18), but now she's become really, really good! I've been dancing ballet for 12 years now and I still take lessons and I've seen a lot of ballerinas. I've also seen her in Russia, St Petersburg, doing a gorgeous Odette. I think her bad reputation is unjustified. Just because she's a bit modern, she isn't a show-pony! Gosh!
Kruemelinchen90 1 year ago
BEAUTIFUL!
ItselATTAK 1 year ago
I think Somova is not ruotated enough, considering she is a kirov principal dancer
prossimamente 1 year ago
She is also so off the music that it's distracting.
maghag222 1 year ago
She is beautiful--legs, body, face--but she has to be the most boring ballerina I've ever seen. A show pony, not an artist.
maghag222 1 year ago
perfect solo for her
7dancerchick 1 year ago
I hate all you guys' shitty comments! She is very good! But I agreed that she is a little bit not good in this variation. But she is now a very good dancer and she is extremely good! Just perfectly fabulous!
chun25011 1 year ago
Bad sickle feet at the end!
loveballetrika 1 year ago
Comment removed
xxcrazydancersarahxx 1 year ago
1:09
mad sickle...
xxcrazydancersarahxx 1 year ago
on her italian fouettes she wouldn't lose her center and have to hop and travel so much if she could focus on other things than putting her leg up higher than it needs to be!
icantpirrouette13 1 year ago
I prefer ballerinas with shorter legs for this role, which I think compliments the choreography more.
TenduYou 1 year ago
mariinsky and kirov tutus annoy me.
WickedHaydie98 1 year ago
Whate ever you think to those of you that put her down, she puts our British dancers to shame, Remember she is with the world renowned Kirov, they wouldn't give her that part if she was not up for it, she is doing her best, Why then dont our 'Royal Ballet' hav dancers of this calibre...She is very good.......
mikekirov1 1 year ago
@mikekirov1 @mikekirov1 You got to be kidding What dancer at the royal ballet is she putting down?
I know its not Marienella Nunez !!!! I don't get Alinas success Russian trained ballet dancers dont roll thru their point .isn't it basic Why does her legs look like an albatros's broken wing think bad Placement . was she trained so that if she didn't make it as a dancer there was always the russian circus shes an investment !!!
havenization 1 year ago
@havenization - agreed. Marc Haegman recently put together a list of Alina's troubling technical and artistic flaws on his site (while also pointing out some nice things about her dancing). The one that sticks out is that "her fouettes make her look like a polio victim." LOL. And the Royal Ballet ballerinas are hands down, in my opinion, MUCH stronger in all ways right now than the current crop of Maryinsky stars. It's hard for die hard lovers of the Russian tradition to accept this.
kdub10009 1 year ago
i love her stupenda bravissimaaa
danzatrice6 1 year ago
she is very quick and light on her feet. what beautifully long legs too :)
aberthod0721 1 year ago
tthis girl has got legs for dayssss!
adalysse926 1 year ago
Why are you people giving her critique? This isn't a video she posted, and she's not going to read the comments because she's a top dancer. Point is this isnt her video so dont waste your time on trying to critisize this amazing dancer
The67Russia 1 year ago 3
A beautiful piece she is amazing!
CrazyAboutBallet 1 year ago
I saw the documentary "Ballerina" when she was just a corps member, and a coryphee by the end of it... I don't really see much improvement in her dancing, but I'm hoping that she proves me wrong and fixes some of the basic problems that she has with her turnout, and really using her feet, because she could really be STUNNING if she did.
bluemoondork 2 years ago
I have a funny feeling 85% of the people typing negative comments on this dancer are themselves 325 lbs of pure fat. Your comments say far more about you, than they do about Miss Somova.
RegularJesus 2 years ago 65
@RegularJesus i see your point but actually she's been severely criticized not only by amateurs. Her skills actually give people reason for critics. and even if you're not a professional ballet dancer you're able to spot mistakes whether in her technique, extensions, whatever.
Juventina1005 1 year ago
@RegularJesus I hadn't been a fan of hers at this time, but I am now. By the way, I am 105 lbs. Oh, sorry, is that too fat for you???
manderson610 1 year ago
@RegularJesus It blows my mind anyone could say anything negative about her, she'd phenomenal.
EnglishRose719 1 year ago 3
@RegularJesus bahahahahahahaha 325 lbs is the size of a young bear!
TheChaiTeaLatte 5 months ago
If you'd like to see a video where she has improved( a little bit, but her grande jetes are still a bit flingy and she jumps up instead of out):
Swan Lake-Act 2 Dance of the Large Swans
sashakeft1 2 years ago
i love her :)
laurelballerinafly 2 years ago 3
trop souple ... ça dessert le mouvement , et elle parait molle et poussive du coup , à l'inverse de Guillem par ex !!!
p4qu3r3tt3 2 years ago 2
I agree! Sylvie Guillem is better
redivy 2 years ago
p.s. i am not hating on her. she clearly has a beautiful extension and is well-trained, but i'm just mystified as to how she is being offered so many prime roles when she still needs to iron out her problems.
sn0wbunnny 2 years ago 6
can someone please direct me to a video where she's improved? on all of these youtubes people say "she's improving, don't worry." well i haven't seen improvement in a single one of them: she has wacky arms, bad turnout, atrocious fouettes. overall her dancing is very juvenile and amateur, like a student. i'm not sure how she got hired because she definitely doesn't uphold the russian dancer reputation.
sn0wbunnny 2 years ago 3
I thought she was so good. She doesn't have amazing turnout but you can tell she has really good ballet training. Beautiful variation (:
pazlovedance 2 years ago
Her pointe control is good but I agree fully about her turnout. You only have to watch dancers like Cojocaru or Rojo to see what a difference this makes.
laracroftbb 2 years ago
I think what bothers me is her lack of turnout in the thighs. No amount of extension or leg length can hide that and that's also why her line looks so odd, like a caricature. She's' obviously very well-coached but one gets the feeling she's working very close to the limit of her abilities. I don't get the sense of total security in her technique and she seems to hide her insecurity by flinging her leg up as high as it will go, placement and purity of line be damned.
avesraggiana 2 years ago 5
wat bendy pencil trick. ?
twiggydancerful 2 years ago
something about her arms . just isn't right.
twiggydancerful 2 years ago
its like when u do that bendy pencil trick
PKfishman 2 years ago
beautiful physique, but not extraordinary dancing.
balletstar123 2 years ago
omg shes sooooooooooooooo contagious!
letsskitri 2 years ago
Mad sickle at 1:08 :S
RIGGlovesnigg 2 years ago 2
elle est presque trop souple ... on défois elle manque de se déséquilibrer ... et du coup à cause de ses jambes supra extensibles elle parait molle ! dommage !
p4qu3r3tt3 2 years ago
oh, I thought this was beautiful. lol
D5932 2 years ago
wish i had her legs
littlemeinthepink 2 years ago 3
I think its disguisting how people can sit here and rudely critisize her when they could most likely never come close to Alina.
shannon11494 2 years ago 4
I watched her dance Juliet on the Mariinsky's UK tour last week and she was utterly enchanting, beautifully light and very inspiring. This video does not do justice to her! Also, in Russia the conductor is frequently ruled by the ballerina so I don't think that's a fair comment about her musicality.
ibl4ever 2 years ago 6
There was an article in the telegraph today
Ballerina or Circus Pony?
Why is she hated?
xtcongo 2 years ago 5
yeah, i read that. It was something to do with her dance style not being so classic, they were slagging off her extensive flexibility too, what on earth.
magicstarkid 2 years ago 3
She is hated because, to many, she seems to only care about getting her leg up as high as she can (at the expense of line and music), and because she's often noted as being one of the most singularly un-musical ballerinas out there, who's also accused of putting on airs and milking the applause - basically a symbol of what some see as the downward trajectory of the once glorious Maryinsky tradition.
kdub10009 2 years ago 16
What a good response!
xtcongo 2 years ago 5
I think because she has no control over her legs and her extensions are THE craziest in all of ballet. Her technique is sloppy too. But I think she's beautiful with great potential. She just needs to tone it down
mydiorella 2 years ago 8
who in the telegraph slated her?
is this the english news paper?
cause if it is,i would LOVE to see a british dancers on par with her right now!
urranuss 2 years ago
Can I please just be her for a day?
frickinloveemmett 2 years ago 5
her hands are not nice. she did not hold her wrist up. but other than that i think its quite good. especially her extentions.
dancecrazyhuman 2 years ago
excuse me but she happens to possibly one of the most legendary ballerinas in the history of ballet. if she wants to make her hands look like that than let her be. she will be better than you no matter how hard you try.
balletaholic 2 years ago
Unless dancecrazyhuman happens to be a beautiful dancer with gorgeous arms. I didn't like her arms either. They had that "juvenile" kind of look to them. Like a pre-teen girl's look when she dances. Arms are a huge distraction for me, especially because it's the one part of my body that I find the hardest to make look acceptable when I dance.
RIGGlovesnigg 2 years ago
Danse is not only tequnique, It is also beauty. On 8th of July I saw Alina Somova dancing Don Quixote at Mariinsky Theater (St. Petersburg). I realized that it is too easy to feel happy..
Ophilomousos 2 years ago
her front foot always sickles a little when she's in sousou but other than that it looks great
CinnamonMonkeyButt 2 years ago
she is wow
balletgirl2009 2 years ago
oh my gooodnessss,
aside from the italian foettes, here extension and control are unbelievable!
brookebrookebrookee 2 years ago
isnt this just so... ooooh xD
martaklatka 2 years ago
mariinsky, why do you think she is in royal?
mayushka123 2 years ago
wow those italien foettes were great!
xoxodancingoxox 2 years ago
I think in the foettes she tourns away too quickly - without staying in the possion. And I'm sure she's capable to do it...
natalie2405 2 years ago 3
Oh yeah. I see what you mean. It would have been nicer if she stayed in the ecarte and attitude a little longer, but she did make it look really effortless.
xoxodancingoxox 2 years ago
nice and clean, lovely
DSATEA96 2 years ago
this is what we are going to have as variation this summer workshop...i hope i can do as good as she does!:-) nice italian fouettes...keep it up
16mothernature16 2 years ago
She could have been only 15, at most 16.
BalletCava 2 years ago
What's that annoying black wire in front of her?! It makes it hard to enjoy the performance....
SonyaNatalia 2 years ago 4
Great italian fuetes.
klamfosho 2 years ago
perfect
thesnowhitequeen 2 years ago 2
Yes she is flexible, however, she needs to stay on her leg during her fouette. Look at how the camera has to move after every two or three fouettes! jesus
MuzikMacks 3 years ago
when you can dance like that no one cares if the camera has to be adjusted!
cbprima01 2 years ago
Perfeito !!! Lindo !! Parece que ela esta flutuando nas nuveis
BailarinaABC 3 years ago
was refering to another comment made.
by some kid saying she can do better than the dancer in this video. -.- if you wanna make comments, at least read everything first.
yengyeng89 3 years ago
my word ppl are so critical! just enjoy the dance... we are all different and interpret differently. maybe dancing brings her the greatest joy. hav some respect. i think she does a superb job!!! amazing technique and expression.
balletrocksmyworld 3 years ago 8
That's power of showy gymnastics for you!
yanyuet 3 years ago
She is the most popular classical dancer now. People go overseas just to see her dance. That's power of Art for you!
ichebat 3 years ago 23
But she is not a really controlled dancer, she looks nice here, but if you see here in other parts...
hnbballerina 2 years ago 4
omj!!!
WHAT R YOU TALKING ABOUT? she is very well controlled!!!
ALINA IS SO TALENTED AND SHE IS STILL SOOO YOUNG!!!!
demiexpuppy 2 years ago
I am talking about her legs, they go everywhere, but not to where the have to be.
hnbballerina 2 years ago 2
she's coming to dance in Toronto, Canada this December to do the Nutcracker!!!
StangGirl4 3 years ago 3
with National Ballet of Canada?
natalek777 3 years ago
No. With Canadian Ballet Theatre.
StangGirl4 3 years ago
hey 12 yr old, are your bones even developed enough to be attempting anything remotely close?
yengyeng89 3 years ago
Clearly she is developed enough to dance like this because she is doing it amazingly and just because she is thin does not make her underdeveloped
ballerinababy1 3 years ago
shut up
clairencynthiax3 3 years ago
I dont like her style of dancing, its too showy. To me she seems to be going through movements- she doesnt interpret the music or add any soul or expression. Compared to Marinela Nunez, Tamara Rojo and Alina Cojucara just to name a few she isn't much of a dancer. That is just my opionion of course, but I dont know....there is just something not right.
skattynatty8 3 years ago 6
mariinka org has lots of high quality pictures of Somova as well as other great Mariinsky dancers. Go to Forum and then click on the title "Mariinsky above the World".
calipso1010 3 years ago
Guys, as a pro, I'll tell you this much:
The clip that came to be known as "Somova variation" is that popular not because Alina is pretty, nor because she is charming and not even because she is a darn good dancer. It is popular because her radiantly youthful soul shines through the dance brining Petipas genius close to our generation. And I thank Alina for that every genius needs his Muse, even some 150 years after.
balanchinedancer 3 years ago 2
i thought the fouettes were great lol maybe because im only 14 lol to the 12 year old that claims this variaton is EASY and can do it well let me say that you might not be very good at dancing it maybe GOSH what yu sed was extremely rude and insulting to the person that danced this especially hearing that from a 12 year old..... much love renee xx
naezza123 3 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
im not trying to brag but i can do that solo with the same choreography that she did... and im only 12. it really isnt that hard
Akita909 3 years ago
my dear, that's called bragging. and its not really if you can do the variation, but HOW you do the variation.
mochabubble 3 years ago 5
oh honey, we don't doubt you can do the variation, you just can't do it as good as her! it's about how gracefuly, beautifully, cleanly, and artistically you can do the variation! i think anyone who dances could DO the variation.
vanillabean001 3 years ago 4
as well* excuse me.
vanillabean001 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
a five year old COULD do it...its HOW you do aka Somova :)
calbalgal 3 years ago
while a good performance, i find that she seems to be off balance during those Italian fouettes probably due to her extension throwing her off balance, because in a more recent video, she was very stable during the Italian fouettes.
mochabubble 3 years ago 4
I totally agree with you, the Italian fouettes were hard work for her on this occasion but this is an old video and she was much younger.
jgh37 3 years ago 2
yeah, extention can knock you off, and hyper extension, and of course, being nervous! :-)
vanillabean001 3 years ago
She is currently one of the best dancers in the WORLD!!!! how can you say she dances like a amateur?? Either you aren't a dancer or you're jealous
shawtybabe19 3 years ago
she is completely out of control and dances like an amateur 12 year old. All she is is a pair of loose hips. Take a look
tjf6543 3 years ago
hmmm i think somebody is jealous.
vanillabean001 3 years ago
hm, what you say is a bit to much, but I agree she has to less control.
hnbballerina 2 years ago
This number made her a star.
calipso1010 3 years ago
This is probably the most popular ballet video ever! Ocean of joy and love!
dj080607 3 years ago
wow that was amazing!!!!! was she wearing gaynor mindens?????
dancr089 3 years ago
She does now, but I am not sure if she was wearing them here. It looks like it though.
KieranDancer 3 years ago
i don't really like her hands and i'm not sure if it was frm the quality that we couldn't see her facial expressions - but she didn't make her work look effortless. but what can i say she is utimately very talented
dance2910 3 years ago
i think her feet got tired...at 1:09 her right foot was sickled as she sous-sous'd.
LePetitDanseur2010 3 years ago
her balances... are just... WOW. I love Alina, she really dances her character [like, she seems to understand their 'style'- like, just subtle things about different roles...] she's AMAZING <333
nymphetamine9mm 3 years ago
wow thats all i can say... this girl has talent!
OMGLCproductions 3 years ago
please message me as to where she dances, what company?
tink2992 3 years ago
Alina is in Kirov
akbalcedig 3 years ago
Sorry, Mariinsky Theatre
akbalcedig 3 years ago 3
Living Breathing Doll!
ilia0708 3 years ago
woww beautiful!
wj3395 3 years ago
She is the cutest dancer in the world!
MyNameIsBrooke2 3 years ago
This is probably the most popular video clip in all classcal ballet and yet she is still a baby here, not a grown ballerina. Ocean of charm!
englishpatient2003 3 years ago
it sounds like shes not going with the music :/
wj3395 3 years ago
what music is this from?
dancingrainflower 3 years ago
It's a shame such a gorgeus dancer dancing such a horrible music. I hate the militar style march made by men in a century where the war was common thing and gloryfied. Paquita has a deep momment for me, but the rest I don't like. But the most boring ballet ever is Gisselle. I love Tchaikovsky and he use that militar style sometimes. But here there are some variations that are perfect for a militar parade...The refined work from a great dancer should be expressed with the same level in music!!!
dancingwithoutwords 3 years ago
Its a matter of taste - this is certainly not a march. What are you talking about anyway?
mrlopez2681 3 years ago 3
che mostro che sei...
esagerata
ninnananna84 3 years ago
What a curious thing to say! Perhaps Balanchine equally can't choreograph Balanchine? Nee Georgij Balanchivadze was bown in St. Petersburg, Russia, attended Imperial Ballet school and danced at the Mariinsky Theatre. Shortly after arriving to the United States he choreographed "Serenade".
KirovFan 3 years ago