Brilliant choreography, coaching, dancing!! How can a dancer possibly grasp all those subtle changes when working outside the forms of classical dance? Bewilderingly complex!!
Watson's body is exquisite. It's like watching an Italian sculpture move and change and form into this arc of beautiful lines. I can't stop noticing details like the musculature of his legs or the expressive hints of his fingers. I can't but wish I knew how to capture what I notice in paint or charcoal.
I have watched several NYCB videos about Alexei and after watching this I totally get everything they say about him. I totally get his movement quality and Love it!!
as much as i am absolutely in love with the legs of steven mcrae, i cannot get over how magnificently beautiful ed's body is. his physique is delicate but strong and he moves so effortlessly it's breathtaking.
Superb! What a fantastic solo and video. I love how Ratmansky seems to have embraced the drama of the music - really brings out the best in Watson. Can't wait for the finished product on the Main Stage!
Ok! What I was impressed from is that the dancer never speaks. He just acts and makes the dancing moves as instructed. No comments, questions, buts or maybes. He just do it! And we speak for one of the greatest dancers. I don't want to speak about the choreography, how good the dancer is blah blah... Just my 50 cent..
I wish that Ratmansky had honored the tempo for the prelude. At such a slow tempo, it's become labored and plodding, instead of wild and propulsive. A different tempo is just as egregious a change to the intentions of the composer as a change of rhythms or pitches. Admittedly, even Balanchine (the music man) did this. (Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet, last movement, is never taken at the appropriate tempo, which is tragic.) When the tempos are honored , there's a remarkable momentum that is built, and can be harnessed by choreographers. Why this is missed is baffling to me.
I know it's been quite a while since you posted this comment, but anyway... I don't think (and this is only my opinion) that they look so much the same, to be honest. Maybe it's just the fact they're both redheads and principal dancers (which means they are some of the most recognizable faces of the company and that makes it a bit easier to compare. I mean, I honestly don't know any other major ballet company that has two gorgeous gingers as principals hahaha). They probably have similar heights as well... but for me, that's it in real similarities. By watching their interviews, they don't look so much alike when the camera films their faces. That's just a matter of opinion, though, so maybe you find them incredibly similar and there's really no reason behind it. It's just how things are. In relation to the bigger star thing... damn, that's difficult to answer because although they work in the same company they seem to go in opposite directions, at times, so it's hard to compare. So I would say neither? Or both, if that makes any sense. You hardly ever see Watson doing the major classics like Swan Lake/Sleeping Beauty (I don't think he's ever done them with the company, tbh, but I'm not 100% sure on this) and he's danced The Nutcracker very very few times in his career... I remember an interview where he stated that Giselle was his ultimate love-or-hate-there's-no-in-between ballet. The media likes to remember him as the "ugly duckling" of ballet as he's rarely chosen to do classical roles (many say that his body type is quite unusual for ballet, and Watson himself has already mentioned that he was always the "outsider") yet STILL managed to build a successful career and become a household name in the UK because of his flexibility and acting in more modern works, from Wayne McGregor's unique contemporary style to dramatic Macmillan roles like Romeo, Des Grieux in Manon and (of course!) Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling, the latter being basically the epitome of his career alongside Arthur Pita's adaptation of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. McRae, on the other hand, has recently become a major name in the more traditional way, with his virtuosity being praised in more classical roles (even though he's also great at contemporary). On the bigger spectrum, it seems like Watson is a bigger figure in terms of honors/awards received, the barrier-breaker image and the successful way of blending dancing with acting, but McRae is much better known in the traditional balletic figure (with his abilities in tap dancing being an A+ bonus) and in social media, which clearly helps boosting one's image to audiences, especially those not very familiar with ballet (I've recently seen one of his Instagram posts in Buzzfeed...) In terms of honors and awards, though, we have to take in consideration that Watson is considerably older (he's 40! Can you believe that??) and has reached his peak for a while, whereas McRae is probably arriving at his right now (and not ignore the fact that he's already accomplished a lot of stuff). So for him we have to wait and see, and that's why I think it's a bit odd to compare them. They are both fantastic dancers with bright futures (and pasts) anyway and we should only cherish the pleasure that is to see them both progress in an amazing company. Was that too long? Sorry. I get a bit excited when talking about people I admire. My bad! Hopefully you didn't sleep while reading this.
Thank you for your thorough reply. However, I beg to differ to certain part of your opinion. Watson is built like a Tarzan: look at that endless shoulders, that muscular bubble butt the likes of which we haven't seen in any Caucasian danseur before, whereas McRae is much shorter in height and the size of his head relatively too big in proportion to his physique. I understand from your comment that Watson is a well-established superstar whereas McRae is a comer, possibly a blazing one at that. And their repertoire don't overlap as much. Still, Nureyev or Baryshnikov, which one is the bigger star? It isn't even arguable. Everyone, from social commentators to scholars specialized in arts and entertainment, from ardent arts connoisseur to layman, would have recognized who's the bigger star. I guess we would have to wait for both of them (Watson and McRae) to hang up their canvas for good, then we could determine who make the greater legacy in the dance world and beyond.
Well, I mentioned possible similar heights after seeing a rehearsal picture of them in The Winter's Tale. Idk, they seemed to have quite the same height by that. (But then again, their bodies weren't exactly upright so maybe it was just an impression I had.) I agree that they have very different body types, though. I see where you're coming with the Baryshnikov/Nureyev comparison, and I definitely agree that is easy to identify the bigger star but taking in consideration that we are now comparing them after a long time since their careers ended, yes. It is difficult to say a definite answer regarding Watson and McRae because they're both still in activity. I've seen certain reviewers and comments already talking about Watson's possible retirement now that he's reached the oh-no-40-years-old-what-a-disaster stage of his life that the media specifically likes to remind us again and again, almost as if he's doomed or something. Even if they are correct and he is retiring quite soon (which hopefully won't be true, as he's said that he will be dancing for as long as his body makes it possible), I think he will still have a brilliant near future, so it's not easy to put a definite end to his career and say "oh, that's it". Same about McRae... I can totally see him still dancing at least for the next 10 years. So maybe we should wait 15 years or so in order to have a proper, definite conversation regarding this topic hahahaha (and I really wasn't expecting you to reply so quickly!)
I could watch Ed Watson dance all day, he's just breathtaking.
Brilliant choreography, coaching, dancing!! How can a dancer possibly grasp all those subtle changes when working outside the forms of classical dance? Bewilderingly complex!!
Watson's body is exquisite. It's like watching an Italian sculpture move and change and form into this arc of beautiful lines. I can't stop noticing details like the musculature of his legs or the expressive hints of his fingers. I can't but wish I knew how to capture what I notice in paint or charcoal.
Watsie is always so into every dance he does, he immediately draws my eye because of how intense he is.
I have watched several NYCB videos about Alexei and after watching this I totally get everything they say about him. I totally get his movement quality and Love it!!
as much as i am absolutely in love with the legs of steven mcrae, i cannot get over how magnificently beautiful ed's body is. his physique is delicate but strong and he moves so effortlessly it's breathtaking.
My goodness alexi's movements are incredible! I wish I could dance a piece by him!
How on earth does he remember so many detailed corrections at one time?
Right.. I was thinking the same thing
Always so enjoy watching rehearsal videos. Makes viewing the finished product all the more satisfying!
Superb! What a fantastic solo and video. I love how Ratmansky seems to have embraced the drama of the music - really brings out the best in Watson. Can't wait for the finished product on the Main Stage!
His English is perfect! His accent even is almost unnoticeable.
How amazing is Ratmansky's choreography for this solo!? And it suits Watsie perfectly.
Oh, Ed!!! Brilliant dancer in a brilliant choreography.
This is quite a beautiful and insightful glimpse. Thanks for sharing this.
Pure joy!!
The Royal Ballet's rehearsals are fascinating and entertaining but adding Ratmansky to the mix you've got genius!
Brilliant as always
I am hugely impressed with Ratmansky's native-level English. The man is so talented.
he is so amazing !
Thank you!
This is the prelude in g minor number 22 the one following the prelude in B flat major
I could just camp out here and let the genius of this wash over me
Ok! What I was impressed from is that the dancer never speaks. He just acts and makes the dancing moves as instructed. No comments, questions, buts or maybes. He just do it! And we speak for one of the greatest dancers.
I don't want to speak about the choreography, how good the dancer is blah blah... Just my 50 cent..
I wish that Ratmansky had honored the tempo for the prelude. At such a slow tempo, it's become labored and plodding, instead of wild and propulsive. A different tempo is just as egregious a change to the intentions of the composer as a change of rhythms or pitches. Admittedly, even Balanchine (the music man) did this. (Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet, last movement, is never taken at the appropriate tempo, which is tragic.) When the tempos are honored , there's a remarkable momentum that is built, and can be harnessed by choreographers. Why this is missed is baffling to me.
powerofalto artistic integrity was completely compromised
the dancer's calve muscles are huge! great dancing
22 I believe.
Which prelude is this? I can't seem to find it anywhere...
The way it's played is almost unrecognisable...
Choreographers should be Fitness Trainers
qué es?
Why is it that Watson and Steven McRae look so much alike? Can anyone please enlighten me? By the way, which one is the bigger star?
I know it's been quite a while since you posted this comment, but anyway... I don't think (and this is only my opinion) that they look so much the same, to be honest. Maybe it's just the fact they're both redheads and principal dancers (which means they are some of the most recognizable faces of the company and that makes it a bit easier to compare. I mean, I honestly don't know any other major ballet company that has two gorgeous gingers as principals hahaha). They probably have similar heights as well... but for me, that's it in real similarities. By watching their interviews, they don't look so much alike when the camera films their faces. That's just a matter of opinion, though, so maybe you find them incredibly similar and there's really no reason behind it. It's just how things are.
In relation to the bigger star thing... damn, that's difficult to answer because although they work in the same company they seem to go in opposite directions, at times, so it's hard to compare. So I would say neither? Or both, if that makes any sense. You hardly ever see Watson doing the major classics like Swan Lake/Sleeping Beauty (I don't think he's ever done them with the company, tbh, but I'm not 100% sure on this) and he's danced The Nutcracker very very few times in his career... I remember an interview where he stated that Giselle was his ultimate love-or-hate-there's-no-in-between ballet. The media likes to remember him as the "ugly duckling" of ballet as he's rarely chosen to do classical roles (many say that his body type is quite unusual for ballet, and Watson himself has already mentioned that he was always the "outsider") yet STILL managed to build a successful career and become a household name in the UK because of his flexibility and acting in more modern works, from Wayne McGregor's unique contemporary style to dramatic Macmillan roles like Romeo, Des Grieux in Manon and (of course!) Crown Prince Rudolf in Mayerling, the latter being basically the epitome of his career alongside Arthur Pita's adaptation of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. McRae, on the other hand, has recently become a major name in the more traditional way, with his virtuosity being praised in more classical roles (even though he's also great at contemporary). On the bigger spectrum, it seems like Watson is a bigger figure in terms of honors/awards received, the barrier-breaker image and the successful way of blending dancing with acting, but McRae is much better known in the traditional balletic figure (with his abilities in tap dancing being an A+ bonus) and in social media, which clearly helps boosting one's image to audiences, especially those not very familiar with ballet (I've recently seen one of his Instagram posts in Buzzfeed...) In terms of honors and awards, though, we have to take in consideration that Watson is considerably older (he's 40! Can you believe that??) and has reached his peak for a while, whereas McRae is probably arriving at his right now (and not ignore the fact that he's already accomplished a lot of stuff). So for him we have to wait and see, and that's why I think it's a bit odd to compare them. They are both fantastic dancers with bright futures (and pasts) anyway and we should only cherish the pleasure that is to see them both progress in an amazing company.
Was that too long? Sorry. I get a bit excited when talking about people I admire. My bad! Hopefully you didn't sleep while reading this.
Thank you for your thorough reply. However, I beg to differ to certain part of your opinion. Watson is built like a Tarzan: look at that endless shoulders, that muscular bubble butt the likes of which we haven't seen in any Caucasian danseur before, whereas McRae is much shorter in height and the size of his head relatively too big in proportion to his physique. I understand from your comment that Watson is a well-established superstar whereas McRae is a comer, possibly a blazing one at that. And their repertoire don't overlap as much. Still, Nureyev or Baryshnikov, which one is the bigger star? It isn't even arguable. Everyone, from social commentators to scholars specialized in arts and entertainment, from ardent arts connoisseur to layman, would have recognized who's the bigger star.
I guess we would have to wait for both of them (Watson and McRae) to hang up their canvas for good, then we could determine who make the greater legacy in the dance world and beyond.
Well, I mentioned possible similar heights after seeing a rehearsal picture of them in The Winter's Tale. Idk, they seemed to have quite the same height by that. (But then again, their bodies weren't exactly upright so maybe it was just an impression I had.) I agree that they have very different body types, though. I see where you're coming with the Baryshnikov/Nureyev comparison, and I definitely agree that is easy to identify the bigger star but taking in consideration that we are now comparing them after a long time since their careers ended, yes. It is difficult to say a definite answer regarding Watson and McRae because they're both still in activity. I've seen certain reviewers and comments already talking about Watson's possible retirement now that he's reached the oh-no-40-years-old-what-a-disaster stage of his life that the media specifically likes to remind us again and again, almost as if he's doomed or something. Even if they are correct and he is retiring quite soon (which hopefully won't be true, as he's said that he will be dancing for as long as his body makes it possible), I think he will still have a brilliant near future, so it's not easy to put a definite end to his career and say "oh, that's it". Same about McRae... I can totally see him still dancing at least for the next 10 years.
So maybe we should wait 15 years or so in order to have a proper, definite conversation regarding this topic hahahaha (and I really wasn't expecting you to reply so quickly!)
I totally mix them up sometimes..
his calves r unwatchable!! XD
Dreadful music performance, hurts every sense of musicality
Ugh