World's Young Ballet - Mikhail Baryshnikov

This fascinating look at world of international ballet competitions features a young Mikhail Baryshnikov competing and winning in Moscow in 1969. The Moscow International Competition of Ballet Artists at the Bolshoi Theater attracts young dancers from around the world to compete for gold and silver medals, much like the Olympics.

In this acclaimed film of the 1969 Competition, Baryshnikov performs an excerpt from La Bayadere and a solo from an original ballet by Leonid Jakobson entitled Vestris. Also featured in this historic documentary is a young Ludmila Semenyaka performing a scene from Act III of Giselle as well as a modern jazz dance piece titled We.

There is also a rare and remarkable film clip of the legendary Anna Pavlova in performance, the first such film ever to be seen on DVD. Judges for the Competition were in a veritable "who's who" of other Russian dance stars, including Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya and Yuri Grigorovich. Also on the jury were Soviet composer Aram Khachaturian and dancers Agnes DeMille and Alicia Alonso.

Highlight of the film include excerpts from Swan Lake, War and Peace, Spartacus and Le Corsaire. For a look at Baryshnikov at the beginning of his glorious career and at the heartbreak and joy of young dancers trying to make their mark, this behind-the-scenes program is a must have for every dance lovers DVD collection.

For more information on this DVD or to purchase, please visit http://www.kultur.com/World-s-Young-Ballet-Mikhail-Baryshnikov-p/d1275.htm

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• dvd
• ballet
• kultur
• baryshnikov
• mikhail baryshnikov
• Bolshoi Theatre
• la bayadere
• leonid jakobson
• bestris
• ludmila semenyaka
• giselle
• jazz
• we
• anna pavlova
• galina ulanova
• maya plisetskaya
• yuri grigorovich
• aram khachaturian
• agnes demille
• alicia alonso
• swan lake
• war and peace
• spartacus
• le corsaire

[guitar4art]

Most every dancer has something magical in their soul. That is why we do it . There is no such thing as the best just who has the devotion.

quote by: Natalie Bounds

[mbcas2]

Hideo is an excellent dancer... but robbed? Hardly!!! Baryshnikov is more finished, is more charismatic and is more sensitive to the nuances of the variation. Both great dancers though.

[balletbonnie01]

@philking58 funny!

[wadafcuk]

AMAZING!!!

[AnnieMarxdempsey]

Astonishing! Thank you for posting this!

[philking58]

@tmv611 In 1877? He must be old!

[tmv611]

my ballet teacher was the first to dance the role of the first dance in this video:)

[fredrika27]

@pediatrapaola

Yes, he was. Thank goodness the Cold War is over and those with talent can actually come to the forefront. Ballet is no longer the sole domain of Russia and France. Today, the dancers from the USA, Asia, Brazil, Cuba and Australia have a chance at a prestigious dance awards. I'm really happy about this because we no longer have a propaganda machine (regardless if Soviet or USA) spoon feeding the audience on what country or who is the better dancer. The audience makes the choice.

[fredrika27]

@betrumka

Under conditions of the time, Russians were given top awards as it was basically their show case with the exception of France, England and Denmark. Although Mischa is more polished and is technically proficient, Hideo is lighter on his feet, has higher altitude in his jumps and better interpretation. Had Mischa competed in Luzern, New York or Australia without the support of Russian propaganda, I wonder how he would fair. Most countries have a Mischa, but no funding for publicity.

[betrumka]

@pediatrapaola You are most surely in the minority with your opinion here. Mikhail Baryshnikov must have hidden, perhaps invisible, wings somewhere on his body. He defies gravity and is weightless at times.