2 replies to this topic

[Melissa]

The October issue of Talk magazine contains a fascinating article on Kirov teacher Alexander Pushkin who was a mentor to Nureyev and Baryshnikov. It's definitely worth reading.

Melissa

[dirac]

Thanks for the alert.  I read it and also found it worthwhile. The emphasis is on Nureyev's affair with Pushkin's wife, but hey, it's Talk.  Apparently a biography will be appearing shortly, in translation.  Baryshnikov also has some interesting things to say about Pushkin as teacher and man.  I remember seeing a clip of Pushkin in class; one got the impression of someone with great authority but also great gentleness, which seems to have been true of him. He lived for his work, which led to tensions in his marriage.  The article also notes that the Pushkins were in great danger from the authorities when Nureyev defected -- it almost makes it seem like a good thing that Pushkin had his fatal attack before Baryshnikov's flight.

[Alexandra]

There is a book coming out soon -- published by the Dance Collection, I think; I hope that is a herald of things to come. It's been available in Russia for some time.