Natalia Makarova - 'Prelude' from 'Les Sylphides'

This is earlish footage of Kirov ballerina Natalia Makarova dancing 'Prelude' from 'Les Sylphides'.

The choroegraphy of course is by Mikhail Fokine set to music of Chopin.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Natalia Makarova
• 'Prelude'
• 'Les Sylphides'
• ballet
• Kirov Theatre
• Mariinsky Theatre
• Chopin
• Mikhail Fokine

[bellecarbon]

Makarova does the best interpretation in "Les Sylphides". She is one of my favs from all time, specially on this part. The ballet is danced as it should, from the soul, not missing on the technique. Inspiring...

[nickwallacesmith]

hi bellecarbon - yes, as we know Makarova was perhaps famous in the West for her 'Giselle' and for the spirit of the character she managed to create - like you say here with 'Les Sylphides'

[Firestarjude]

Not always a fan of hers, but she is marvelous in this. So ethereal! BTW, part of the point of this ballet is that it is dance for dance's sake--an early plotless work that evokes a mood rather than telling a story. So despite its intended evocation of the 1830's, in a way it was really rather modern for its time. I guess to "get it" one must be comfortable with finding one's own meaning in a piece rather than having it meaning pre-imposed by a librettist.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Firestarjude - yes i feel much the same about makarova, having seen her in many different classical and modern classical roles. and yes it's a work that works through mood rather than story. and it's at the beginnings of ballets being choreographed to half decent music, rather than minkus, drigo and so on, a trend i guess begun by with 'swan lake' and 'the sleeping beauty' and Tchaikovsky

[Firestarjude]

@Firestarjude Oops, was typing too fast--that last "it" ought not to be there! :)

[bang2b]

@avesraggiana I know many heterosexual males who love Les Sylphides. When danced well, its relationship to Chopin's music is powerful and evocative. Makarova understands it well. My favorite version of the Prelude is Markova's.

[avesraggiana]

@melchiormusician Thank you for your informative clarification. I was dimly aware that Les Sylphides was created as an homage or evocation of the time periods you mentioned, and the artistic trends in the fine arts and performing arts that were in vogue at that time. Sometimes period pieces don’t travel so well in time, and in my estimation, this is one of those pieces. I realize that mine must be the minority opinion in this regard because many ballet lovers very much enjoy Les Sylphides.

[melchiormusician]

@avesraggiana Les Sylphides was choreographed in the late 19th century during the Impressionistic art movement, where there was a focus on abstraction and blurred lines. Coupled with the "reverie" to the Romanticist movement in earlier 19th century Europe, it served the audience of that particular era (and even more particular - the Bohemians) almost better than the plot ballets because it could be interpreted to each audience member individually. :) I understand what you mean though!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi avesraggiana - yes, “The Kingdom of the Shades” in 'La Bayadere' is magical, almost hypnotic. and when the dancers arabesque on the same musical pulse ... sheer poetry in motion. cheers