Buddy

This is a performance by a young dancer. It’s her own choreography, but it’s typical American Lyrical Jazz or Lyrical Dance. It’s much more athletic than what I’ve been thinking about as “Lyrical Dance,” but it does really captivate me. And I happen to love the song. For me, she expresses it beautifully. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvHpfsfRtN8 It also makes a very interesting contrast to the Raisa Struchkova video from my previous post.

From ballet itself, I find this to be a rather charming example related to what I could call “Lyrical Dance.” I might even go as far as to say that I see some Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers here, although these performers probably had no knowledge of each other and very little of the technique of the others’ dance form. Raisa Struchkova (1964) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUkFbFFTqYs

This would be essentially correct, but for me, “fluidity,” or flow, seem to be a basic part of what’s generally called Lyrical Jazz or Lyrical Dance as well. Hi again, Sandik, and thanks for your comments and interest. For the moment, I’ve taken to using quotation marks — “Lyrical Dance” — because it’s a somewhat personal idea, I guess, and perhaps likely to become more so. I’ve used the term for ages without actually looking up any exact definitions. I’ve always thought, that in one way or another, that my use also fell into the general category of what’s called Lyrical Dance. One thing that seems to appear in many definitions is this kind of wording…. ** “Ballet combined with….” ** This would be consistent with much of my thinking. Maybe the video examples that I’ve been referring to and posting explain it best. For one thing, an essential part does seem to be…. ** Graceful Flow ** And again, a totally personal element perhaps, is a sense of pleasure, even joy. So, “Keep Dancing!" and maybe even do it “Lyrically.” 😊 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmGJh0LfGiQ

This is a group that I saw years ago and liked very much. I guess that they’re going as strong as ever. Complexions Contemporary Ballet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBt--XMWTOU

Claudia Schreier's Pleiades Dances has recently been mentioned at a discussion about the San Francisco Ballet. I’m still liking it very much. https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/46886-2023-rep-season-to-include-9-new-works/page/2/#comment-443470 Another work for the Atlanta Ballet that I’m flipping over is Lar Lubovitch's "Elemental Brubeck'" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmGJh0LfGihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmGJh0LfGiQ I hoping that this sort of work will continue, both here and at the San Francisco Ballet. I’m watching them both with interest.

“Lyrical Dance” — Swan Lake Meets Fred Astaire This is an element of it all that I like very much. 😊

I’ve not heard anything new, but I keep checking every day. Perhaps after the holiday season we’ll hear some more. This is an article from November 22 that just appeared on the internet. It does give some more personal insights. “When war separates people, arts reunite them. That was the goal celebrated last Saturday in Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, where dancers impacted by the war in Ukraine danced together for the first time since the invasion, on February 24th. ““If I had stayed in the Mariinsky Ballet, it would mean things were fine but they weren’t, even if I love my mentors and colleagues there. It’s sad when politics has that kind of effect on art”, says Xander. “It was very hard for every dancer. We are all against the war, but at the same time, we are all grateful to Russia for all it taught us in arts. “Although Reunited in Dance was designed to be a one-night celebration, dancers were so excited with the project and happy with the long and warm applause of the audience that some of them have plans to join again soon. Parish, for instance, is thinking about forming a ballet company that embraces talents in exile. He explained why. “I believe that the spirit of that place, what we know, what we learned, who we became and who we are, can be preserved, and can be reunited.”, https://www.fairobserver.com/culture/reunited-by-art-and-against-the-war-in-ukraine/

(continued from my previous post) And then even more like this. Jerome Robbins -- “Dances At A Gathering” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoigxYt5Hgk And then perhaps this. Christopher Wheeldon —“After The Rain” — start at 14:10 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D316-KMBU8

This is probably what is generally considered “Lyrical Dance” or “Lyrical Jazz.” This would be a somewhat less gymnastic version and there are things here that I do like. Lyrical Jazz - Sia "Chandeliar" -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERreyw5_AVs&t=3s Still, with my personalised definition, I’d tend to go in a more artistic direction. "The Legend of Ten” by Lar Lubovitch -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gk-6cmpoMs

Welcome back, Sandik. I’m not that familiar with the exact names and definitions, but I essentially agree with what you have written and believe that I’ve maintained the distinction between “lyrical,” the timeless quality, and “Lyrical Dance,” an essentially ‘modern’ style. My definition does have a personal emphasis, but not enough of one for me to search for a new name. My first sentence attempts to define this. “Lyrical Dance — A combining of the lyrical beauty and style of the classical with the natural.” To be more specific, I’d like to see the aesthetic, feel and some of the technique (especially upper body technique) of ballet essentially, to be preserved and combined with a more natural form of physicality. Something else that’s occurred to me, is perhaps totally personal. All my examples and suggestions have a definite desire for positivity and pleasure in them. I hope that this helps. I’ll keep thinking about it and try to clarify as I go along. And I hope that you enjoy this, because that’s part of my intent.

In what I think of as Lyrical Dance, that can vary from Swan Lake-like refinement to jazziness, this delightful ‘influence’ exudes an aura in between that I enjoy very much. Swing Time ('36): “Pick Yourself Up” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06RlwN0nddQ You want more refinement ? I like this one a lot. It’s by Jerome Robbins, whose effect on Christopher Wheeldon’s lyrically beautiful duets I think can be seen. New York City Ballet MOVES: Dances At A Gathering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoigxYt5Hgk Added: And if you want to see it as good as it gets, take a look at Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers -- "Let's Face the Music and Dance."

Lyrical Dance — A combining of the lyrical beauty and style of the classical with the natural. It has the dreamlike quality that one can associate with Swan Lake, Giselle and even Far Eastern Classical. It’s a direction that I’d really like to see more developed. Here’s one nice example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIKo7HqHdRs It’s an area that Christopher Wheeldon moves in and out of with some very good results, this one being perhaps one of the finest works in all of dance. “After The Rain” (Start at 14:10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D316-KMBU8 It’s a style used by some choreographers that in group presentations can take on an orchestral dimension. Here’s one example from Lar Lubovitch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gk-6cmpoMs Stylistically, here’s a more high energy one from Lar Lubovitch that I like very much. Although it might be largely contemporary, even Broadway, there is a sense of classical and artistic composition and refinement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmGJh0LfGiQ (all videos were already officially posted) Coming at this from the non-classical side, Fred Astaire might be considered an early influence. A collaboration between him and George Balanchine, which George Balanchine might have loved since he considered Fred Astaire to be the finest male dancer, could have produced some fascinating and highly significant results.

Thanks, Helene. I may be becoming an SFB fan.

Here’s another like it for Atlanta Ballet from about a year ago. It also had the Mariinsky’s similarly oriented Maxim Petrov, whom I often like very much and have often mentioned, as a choreographer. As a matter of fact, this video has elements of Maxim Petrov. This is another company that I want to keep an eye on. Pleiades Dances by Claudia Schreier https://vimeo.com/545680558 (I hope that “Do Not Copy” doesn’t mean no Link)

From the World Ballet Day program, one work that I like a lot is Dana Genshaft's Future Paper performed by The San Francisco Ballet School Trainees. It showcases their fineness and versatility in a style that I like very much because it combines the lyrical grace of ballet with a sense of naturalness. It could also be called orchestral. I think that Dana Genshaft does a very nice job with her take and I hope that the company continues working in this area. It’s a style used by some choreographers and here’s one example from Lar Lubovitch, which is a more lyrical example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gk-6cmpoMs It’s the dreamlike quality that I can associate with Swan Lake, Giselle and even Far Eastern Classical. The rehearsal of Katherine Barkman in Giselle with Jasmine Jimison echoing her in the background (a beautiful if not intended composition) shows this. A combining of these two lyrical forms, classical and natural, could produce some fine results and I hope that the company will pursue this. Added: And here’s a more high energy example that I like very much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmGJh0LfGiQ

I don’t really follow the San Francisco Ballet that closely, but from what I’ve seen on my recent viewing of its World Ballet Day, I see a lot of things that I like. The company reminds me somewhat of what I saw in ABT this summer. Probably because of changes brought about because of the virus, both companies look more youthful and vibrant, but still of the highest quality. And lots of new names, for me at least. The SFB programming for this presentation is also very interesting and of the highest quality. One person mentioned the company’s versatility and another the value of diversity. Both seem to be well represented. This presentation reminds me somewhat of the Miami City Ballet, in particular the Edward Villella company, which I really enjoyed. Helgi Tomasson is stepping out on a high note with this programming. I hope that Tamara Rojo continues in the same direction. I think that she has a lot of very good quality here to work with.

I’m enjoying the entire broadcast, Pherank. Thanks again. I like them both, but I agree with you that Jasmine Jimison is very lovely. I also think that the other Giselle, Misa Kuranaga, has a charming personality. Added: Although there’s lots of good still, with only about a half hour left I’d recommend a look at the new generation.... 1:08:28 - San Francisco Ballet School Trainees in Dana Genshaft's Future Paper Then 46:10 - Katherine Barkman (and Jasmine Jimison) in Giselle, Act I Variation

Thanks Pherank and AG. The Wheeldon part starts at 15:20. There’s a nice, airy quality to this staging imparted throughout by Christopher Wheeldon, starting with the performances of Sasha De Sola (Cinderella) about halfway through the 40 minutes devoted to the rehearsal (especially starting at 30:35). Wona Park and Dores Andre (Cinderellas) also have nice, similar qualities and Max Cauthorn (The Prince), towards the end, has a noteworthy grace that’s impressive for a male dancer.

I haven’t had a chance to watch this, but since it’s ending in about five hours, I’d thought that I would rush it through. It’s Christoher Wheeldon coaching the San Francisco Ballet for his Cinderella. It starts at 15:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g22G7od_HWY (thanks to Pherank and AG)

My two favorite ballerinas are probably Olga Smirnova and Oxana Skorik. As Olga Smirnova continues to explore new directions, Oxana Skorik becomes even more the epitome of refined grace and beauty. I greatly look forward to seeing what Olga Smirnova will accomplish. It should be a fascinating and beautiful artistic journey. I also wonder to what extent her Vaganova fineness will shine through. The combination of this and her remarkable expressiveness make her very special. She says in the posted interview that she will perform Swan Lake in March. She also mentions again in the interview that she hopes that she can someday participate in a cultural revival in a peaceful and non-repressive, renewed Russia. I’d really like to see this happen. And I look forward to seeing how Oxana Skorik will do in terms of expression. When she does commit in an unforced and natural statement of warmth and heartfelt understanding, along with her pure dance loveliness, she becomes as fine as there is. In reverse order from my Oxana Skorik post yesterday, here once again for a comparison are the two perhaps finest ballerinas in the world today. “The Swan” Olga Smirnova -- compelling expression and fine gracefulness https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3N5xlo38W/?hl=en Oxana Skorik -- wonderful grace and refinement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9AqDajr_0&t=60s And if I wonder how Olga Smirnova’s Vaganova fineness will continue to shine through, from back in September, could anything be lovelier. John Neumeier’s “Third Symphony of Mahler.” https://www.instagram.com/p/Cis1zRjI8UP/?hl=en (all videos were officially posted)

For those of you from the old days who recall discussion about her ability with fouetté’s, someone just posted a video of her recent Odile where she does a fine series with seven doubles, the finishing one very secularly ended. Victory ! She’s always had the ability to produce fireworks. I’m sure I’ve seen her do triple fouetté turns, for instance, and other very impressive accomplishments. And if she did have hesitations, she could make breathtaking recoveries. She seems remarkably in control at the top of the final Odile lift. Consistency and security no longer seem to be an issue at all. For an added feature….she might be one of the most beautifully refined dancers ever. Here for a comparison are the two perhaps finest ballerinas in the world today. “The Swan” Oxana Skorik -- wonderful grace and refinement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf9AqDajr_0&t=60s Olga Smirnova -- compelling expression and fine gracefulness https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3N5xlo38W/?hl=en (both videos were officially posted)

This looks like a fine article from last March, which may not have been mentioned here. “A former Bolshoi dancer is helping young dancers flee Ukraine, one ballet school at a time.” “Kateryna is one of more than 80 young Ukrainian dancers who have found safe haven at prestigious ballet schools throughout Europe with the help of a New York-based nonprofit called Youth America Grand Prix, which has operated the world’s largest student ballet scholarship competition since 1999.” https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-03-21/dance-students-fleeting-ukraine-europe-ballet-school

How is it that you always post right after I go to bed ? Cheers !

Movin on up and worth all the hype-side Jammin’ and hammin’ and time for a fun-ride 🙂

Madison Young — Absolutely Vibrant Presence https://www.instagram.com/p/ClI9urKuj2X/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D