In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated

Svetlana Zakharova and Andre Merkuriev of the Mariinsky performing the pas de deux from In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated. Choreographed by Forsythe.
I wrote about this in one of my college application essays. 'Tis my favorite.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• in
• the
• middle
• somewhat
• elevated
• ballet
• svetlana
• zakharova
• forsythe
• mariinsky
• pas
• de
• deux

[Ninjerina]

This was awesome. I think Zakharova's style works better in contemporary stuff like this than the classical repertoire, given her exagerrated extensions and other positions.

[ANBeaumont]

I love how sexy she is in this role.....she moves in this very slinky, slithery way. She's like a preying mantis or something - agressive female, but still coy. I believe that Sylvie Guillem's version will always be the standard of measure for this entire piece, but Zakharova gives it a sensual modernity.

[balletlol]

This is amazing!!! I really don't understand how Sylvie Guillem is the master of this piece.. Zakharova dances this much better, in my opinion!

[asia17111]

Это не может не нравиться...

[mikephelancomposer]

@TeleRevoTwo Did you know that this is not a narrative ballet?

[TeleRevoTwo]

The scene end in confirmation. She wants to leave, and it is only him, which stands in her way.  Excellent performance. I will endevor to find the rest somewhere online and report back if someone gives me a thumbs up or a reply, thanks.

[TeleRevoTwo]

They compete with each other. And the competition seems to be instigated by the man, perhaps as a way of keeping them together through a common activity, or, as I suspect, the man does/did this to assert his dominance over her. I sense that this worked in the past, but now, she is beginning to grow stronger-- more apt at her art. And perhaps even surpassing his ability. 

[TeleRevoTwo]

Occasional there is "conventional conformity" on her part, but we find the man continually trying to tame this woman as one would do a horse. But it's obvious, that she does not thinks of herself as a horse, and will not be treated like this for much longer. Her wild passion is too engrained, and even when they dance in accord, her motions pander to the "invisible crowd" perhaps even a gentleman who's caught her fancy in to corner of the room...

[TeleRevoTwo]

The narrative of this performance, I'm just now getting. It's about the man and the woman, probably at some kind of social event. And she's upset at him/discontented. She is flirting with all the guest, and the man is constantly trying to get her to come back. At the same time, the man is overly protective of the woman, who may just be having fun at a social occasion. Either way, it's obvious that she wants to have fun, and he's very intent on keeping her close by.

[Fatkidsaliva]

I love how she freezes in her dancing as if she's posing this is a still photographer's dream

[sylvieguillemfanx10]

@aprilthrusday i am biased just not towards her. i like certain roles on her but this one no one can do it better than sylvie im sorry but im sticking to my opinion

[ASymone13]

Awesome