18 replies to this topic

[little-junkie]

I'm interested in what you think of Daniil Simkin, one of the current ABT soloists. I have no word but feeling a chill by watching his performance of Fallen Angle.

[Natalia]

We've discussed Simkin quite a bit on ABT and competition threads. He is a very special artist - so angelic-looking, yet technically brilliant. I believe that most of our reports when he joined ABT noted that he might be limited in his repertoire because of his relatively small heighth and his bravura style but he seems to have proven to be more than just 'the little whiz kid' who can crank-out small competition solos like Les Bourgeois or Flames of Paris pdd. He garnered good reviews for his debut as one of the leads in ABT's version of Ratmansky's Bright Stream, for example.

[vipa]

little-junkie, on 24 February 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

I'm interested in what you think of Daniil Simkin, one of the current ABT soloists. I have no word but feeling a chill by watching his performance of Fallen Angle.

In case you don't know - there is a very nice interview with Simkin on Ballet Pulp - http://dancepulp.com.../daniil-simkin/

[little-junkie]

vipa, yes I have seen that clip. I was very intrigued.

[janeintucson]

So, size is a consideration? Didn't think that when it came to Mischa, his size was anything to consider? At the time when he defected, he was the greatest thing since sliced Nureyev.

[little-junkie]

Found this clip on youtube, it's all in Japanese:

Daniil Simkin in The Tokyo Ballet (2010)

[Mel Johnson]

janeintucson, on 28 May 2011 - 12:52 AM, said:

So, size is a consideration?

Yes, it is.  It's always a limiting factor when determining who you're dancing with.  There's a pas de deux in Balanchine's "Bourree Fantasque" for a short man and a very tall woman (originally Jerome Robbins and Diana Adams), but you can't count on that kind of role always being available.  Simkin is also a very strong and able dance actor, so that somewhat offsets the height issue.

[Amy Reusch]

Mel Johnson, on 24 July 2011 - 03:48 AM, said:

janeintucson, on 28 May 2011 - 12:52 AM, said:

So, size is a consideration?

Yes, it is.  It's always a limiting factor when determining who you're dancing with.  There's a pas de deux in Balanchine's "Bourree Fantasque" for a short man and a very tall woman (originally Jerome Robbins and Diana Adams), but you can't count on that kind of role always being available.  Simkin is also a very strong and able dance actor, so that somewhat offsets the height issue.

Also, the average height of professional dancers has been increasing since Nureyev and Baryshnikov.  Simkin would have had an easier time regarding his height 30 years ago.

[innopac]

This shows the development of an artist over time

Le Corsaire: Revisited - by Daniil Simkin [youtube]

[diane]

Thanks! I recognise  in a few of those excerpts the "kleine ballettsaal" (small studio) in the Wiesbaden theatre, where I danced many, many years ago.

He is indeed a remarkable dancer.

-d-

[Natalia]

Amy Reusch, on 24 July 2011 - 07:40 AM, said:

....Also, the average height of professional dancers has been increasing since Nureyev and Baryshnikov.  Simkin would have had an easier time regarding his height 30 years ago.

Also, the initial concerns about Simkins' petit size had to do with overall small musculature and bone structure (narrowish shoulder line) and not just height. He was more the delicate type, like Sarafanov at the start of his career. Baryshnikov, Cornejo, Batalov and others may be/have been shortish but never 'delicate.' My understanding is that Simkin has bulked up, so this may no longer be a problem. Looking forward to his first Prince Siegfried on Wednesday. He has always been an exciting dancer but I have not seen him since Flames of Paris pdd in DC 2-3 yrs ago, so I am really looking forward to viewing the transformation for myself.

[Drew]

Natalia, on 25 June 2012 - 04:03 AM, said:

Amy Reusch, on 24 July 2011 - 07:40 AM, said:

....Also, the average height of professional dancers has been increasing since Nureyev and Baryshnikov.  Simkin would have had an easier time regarding his height 30 years ago.

Also, the initial concerns about Simkins' petit size had to do with overall small musculature and bone structure (narrowish shoulder line) and not just height. He was more the delicate type, like Sarafanov at the start of his career. ...My understanding is that Simkin has bulked up, so this may no longer be a problem.

He still seems very slight and boyish to me...

[Amy Reusch]

There used to be talk in the old days about SAB rejecting students because their heads were "too big".  I always thought it was silly, but I think I see how it makes us see Daniil Simkin as boyish...  seems like just something to learn to work off of, but might mean trouble in stereotypic casting...

[aurora]

Drew, on 25 June 2012 - 10:06 AM, said:

Natalia, on 25 June 2012 - 04:03 AM, said:

Amy Reusch, on 24 July 2011 - 07:40 AM, said:

....Also, the average height of professional dancers has been increasing since Nureyev and Baryshnikov.  Simkin would have had an easier time regarding his height 30 years ago.

Also, the initial concerns about Simkins' petit size had to do with overall small musculature and bone structure (narrowish shoulder line) and not just height. He was more the delicate type, like Sarafanov at the start of his career. ...My understanding is that Simkin has bulked up, so this may no longer be a problem.

He still seems very slight and boyish to me...

And even with his more virile type, Cornejo has had a real struggle getting the princely principal roles (I don't mean doing them, I mean being seen as right for them). And partnering is still his weakest point.

[Natalia]

Drew, I hope you're wrong about Simkin still looking too slight. We'll see on Wednesday. I certainly wish him the best and, of course, 'his best' would benefit dear Isabella in her own debut. I have a crazy feeling that their pairing will yield some unexpected surprises.