Melissa

I agree with everyone's pet peeves, but especially Victoria Leigh's remark regarding the lack of musicality in many dancers today. It's mind boggling that a quality so essential to dancing is such a rarity. I find myself having to watch videos of Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova to see dancers who truly have music in their bones. I suppose a feel for music is something that one is born with and can't be taught.

Terry, A wonderful performance of the music for Balanchine's 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' is on a complete recording of 'Swan Lake' performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by John Lanchberry. Here is a URL for the Tower Records website where you can purchase it: http://www.towerrecords.com/product.asp?pfid=1086373 The whole recording is great, by the way. Lanchberry is a superb ballet conductor and he conducts the music at a dancer's tempo and doesn't speed things up like so many of his colleagues do. Melissa

I saw Gregory dance 'Swan Lake' with Godunov at ABT shortly after he defected. I think in him she finally found the perfect partner both artistically and height-wise. He was about 6'2" and was proportionally just right for her. I remember it being a great performance; they were technically remarkable and Gregory clearly relished the part of Odile. In my opinion, Merrill Ashley was one of the greatest American ballerinas. She was so thrilling to watch with her lightning speed and flawless technique. Farrell, Hayden and McBride were great too. It's really impossible to pick just one.

In the early-mid 80's, I saw a film of Pavlova dancing pas de deux from Don Q, Giselle and Sleeping Beauty. She was a brilliant technician, with high extensions and extraordinary, swivel-like pirouettes that looked effortless. Her Giselle was particularly lovely in it's lyricism, and she displayed a natural musicality which was very appealing. Melissa