Anna Pavlova filmed dancing 'Dionysus' (1925)

This is Anna Pavlova filmed dancing in Berlin.

It comes from a Russian documentary for television, perhaps, from the opening graphics, produced originally by the Mariinsky Theatre.

I've left the original audio in the hope someone will be able to say more about this footage.

'Nomoretwist1' has very kindly taken the time to add:

"This piece was filmed at Fiarbanks studio in 1925, the background scene is thought to be that of 'Don Q. Son of Zorro' filmed that year. This piece has been listed as 'Greek Dance' and is most likely from her ballet 'Dionysus' with music by Tcherepine and choreography by Clustine"

Watching the snippet of film, I'm reminded of a comment made by Sir Frederick Ashton in an interview - having seen her perform initially in Peru where he grew up and later in England, he remembered she had wonderfully expressive arms and hands. But of course it's also the way she uses her whole body - her head and neck, her eyes, her torso - so they seem fluid and plastic.

This little film I think captures something of these qualities.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Anna Pavlova
• ballets russes
• ballet
• dance
• Russian ballet
• 'Dionysus'

[nickwallacesmith]

hi nomoretwist1 - thanks very much again - my googling skills for the background to some of this footage is obviously very inferiour! as much as amything what's most interesting for me at least is the music - makes some sense of the choreography. do you know waht the music is that has been added by the russian documentary makers here? best, nick

[nomoretwist1]

This piece was filmed at Fiarbanks studio in 1925, the background scene is thought to be that of 'Don Q. Son of Zorro' filmed that year. This piece has been listed as 'Greek Dance' and is most likely from her ballet 'Dionysus' with music by Tcherepine and choreography by Clustine