Alban Lendorf promoted to soloist

[Jane Simpson]

The very talented Alban Lendorf was promoted to soloist last night after the first performance of the RDB's 'Danseur Noble' programme. Born in 1989 and trained at the RDB school, he's only been a full member of the company for 2 years - but I don't think anyone who's seen him will be surprised at this rapid advancement. He's not tall and is quite stockily built but - as someone once said to me - he can fly!

(The RDB has a flat hierarchy, like NYCB - corps de ballet, soloist, principals.)

[Anne]

Congratulations to Alban Lendorf! He has been the most obvious choice for a promotion for a long time.

It is true, that he can fly, and like many clever dancers before him he makes you forget, that he hasn't got the ideal stature for a balletdancer from nature's hand, by compensating in many ways. He is one the most silent dancers I have ever seen, you never hear a bump when he lands after one of his soaring jumps, and he uses his strength to make the movements look light and smooth. In that way he always reminds me of a cat. It is going to be interesting to see how he will develope furtheron.

[Anne]

On the homepage of the RDB Nikolaj Hübbe has motivated the promotion of Alban Lendorf as follows (I have tried to translate it below):

”Alban Lendorf er et af de største talenter dansk ballet har fostret de sidste 30 år. Hans enorme talent har på rekordtid placeret ham i den solistiske ende af Den Kongelige Ballet, og jeg spår ham en stor stor karriere. Han har en naturlig forståelse af klassisk ballet og en usandsynlig stærk teknik og fysik. Hans sceniske udtryk er formidabelt, og han har, trods sin unge alder, en instinktiv evne til at få publikum til at kigge på ham og lave drama og skabe teater på scenen.”

"Alban Lendorf is one of the greatest talents Danish ballet has produced during the last 30 years. His enormous talent has in record time placed him among the soloists of the Royal Danish Ballet, and I predict a great, great career for him. He has a natural understanding of classical ballet and an incredibly strong technique and physique. His stage presence is outstanding, and he has, despite his young age, an instinctive ability to make the audience look at him, and create dramatic moments and "make theatre" on the stage."

Link with more informations (in Danish)

[Helene]

Many thanks for the translation, Anne!

[miliosr]

Carling Talcott was there at the announcement:

http://www.theballetbag.com/2010/05/29/dea...st-friday-ever/

[Anne]

David Amzallag has produced a slide show with photos of Alban Lendorf in the latest mixed bill production "M/K Danseur noble" at the RDB:

Link to the slide show.

See also: Blueballet's homepage

[Quiggin]

Alban Lendorf in a handsomely made short documentary, with Susanne Grinder. Some nice glimpses of his work.

Bournonville og Balanchine

[Jane Simpson]

I saw him in the Danseur Noble programme last night and I'm not surprised he has been promoted - he had the leading roles in 2 of the 4 ensemble pieces and an important role in a third, and was unquestionably the star of the evening.

[Anne]

Alban Lendorf in a handsomely made short documentary, with Susanne Grinder. Some nice glimpses of his work.

I'm afraid it is not Lendorf that we see in the glimpses of Symphony in C. I think it is Gregory Dean, another very talented young dancer in the company. But it is Lendorf who is being interviewed.

[Helene]

Was it Lendorf in "La Sylphide"?

[Anne]

Was it Lendorf in "La Sylphide"?

No, that was Marcin Kupinski, one of the recently promoted soloists.

[Helene]

Thank you for the identification. Another talented man.

I have to figure out how to get to Copenhagen...

[Anne]

You can see Lendorf dance several times (if you are quick!) in this short video on the homepage of the Royal Danish Theatre:M/K danseur noble

The end sequence with the blue and red dresses is Lendorf and (I think) Alba Nadal.