A DANCER'S LIFE (THREE)

Students and teachers at American Ballet Theater School in 1972. Featuring Rudolplh Nureyev, Natalia Makarova and Fernando Bujones in classroom of Valentina Pereyaslavec and Leon Danielian. Michael Smuin of the Smuin Ballet dances Petrushka. DVD of full feature at williamrichert.com

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• ballet
• dance
• Nureyev
• American
• Ballet
• Theater
• School

[roliboom]

Fernando Bujones, Natalia Makarova, Rudolph Nureyev...I'm in heaven! Amazing!

[OdysseyArts]

A teacher once said, "If I were to study piano, even though I will not become a professional concert pianist, I still have the RIGHT to study in the same correct manner, as if I were to become that concert pianist." There is no difference. As is your right, study n the most professional/correct manner possible; no matter what your objective. Any other way is a waste. However, a serious, not-so-flip, attitude helps (a lot). Good luck.

[lapyancantona]

Cant believe how amazing Bujones was at 15. Forever brilliant.

[dancer9695]

i love the grittyness of the dancers,studios, and living conditions it reminds me of the raw and pure beauty of dance i love it...

[tismurdis]

The footage at the end of Rudik in classes is a classic example of his famous Kirov training, he would go a few seconds longer and often extend his poses by 5 or more seconds, which really annoyed some.

[PribekRJ3]

I took ballet,tap,jazz and modern dance for about 15 years growing up. It is a very self disciplined lifestyle if you are in love with it which I was. I was blessed to see R.N. in the 3rd grade. I saw Baryshnikov in 1990. Both greats, God I miss it.

[BallerinaGirl21]

Makarova OMG! Tha slow motion part just shows how perfect she is and how tight her technique is .. I think anybody that doesn't know the steps she's performing could learn it and understand it just by watching that (learn it in brain i mean.. body takes a bit longer to reproduce what the brain gets .. or somethin like that ) AMAZING :)

Too bad i can't find a torrent for this documentary anywhere thou :(

[mote65]

Thank you. :D

[mote65]

You're correct, although my dance teacher was trained this way, her professors were very strict and now they let anyone dance, which is lucky for me I guess. Although I'm very interested in preserving the styles set forth by the great teachers, my possibilities are limited by my social class.

[OdysseyArts]

New York was gritty and real in the 70s, and so were the dance studios. I know, I was there. As far as sloppier, I disagree. There was more respect and service to and for the art then, not less. It was a golden age, with the torch passed (not thrown in the gutter)... Now many good dancers are trained in Cuba or South America. The rest is soul-less whacking, stretch-o-mania, and affecting styles (not trained IN them)... Today (yawn): Zzzzz... Then: "Bite the pepper!!!" Mr. Washington is correct.