I'm so used to Russians not getting the hang of Balanchine. I put this one because Lopatkina---and then sat there mesmerized for the whole pdd. Someone said she hardly looks at Zelensky, but I found they were weaving a story and the infrequent meeting of their eyes spoke volumes. There was passion there, but they were keeping it in check . Her fluidity and complete abandon in all of the off-center moves (read: Complete trust in your partner) were about as Balanchine as you could get. And the set didn't blind you! Exquisite, thanks for posting!
Well said. Ulyana is generally not super emotional in the face and that's no problem for this role because Suzanne farrell wasn't either in diamonds. She had the same kind of expression that ulyana does. And she's the standard. Although I must say I think I like ulyana even more than Suzanne in this. Because she looks more clean and refined WITHOUT sacrificing the Balanchine-ness of it. Oftentimes Russians will sacrifice the tempo or playfulness or whatever in order to keep that strict form and synchronization, and high extensions. In rubies this is most obvious. But this particular diamonds pdd is perfect for the Russians like Lopatkina. It requires no tradeoff or sacrificing of any kind. She is absolutely stunning in this.
Estou pensando na maravilha de assistir Uliana Lopatkina dançar Jewels - Diamonds, de Balanchine, com a música maravilhosa de Tchaikovsky. Esta homenagem de Balanchine a Petipa e ao Ballet Russo Imperial não podia encontrar uma intérprete mais adequada que Lopatkina, em todo o seu refinamento e sem qualquer concessão ao público. E amparada por um bailarino soberbo como Igor Zelensky. Ambos expressam Mr. B. exatamente como ele pensava a dança. Bravo! Que privilégio. São coisas divinas, coisas de Deus!!
Absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen many performances of Diamonds and this is my favorite. Her technique is crystal clear, like a Diamond 💎 also Ulyana does an excellent job of keeping in mind the core of many Balanchine’s works: emotions are subtle so the dance can shine. As a professional ballerina trained in Russia 🇷🇺 Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Romania 🇷🇴, I understand how hard it can be to switch from Mariinsky/Bolshoi to NYCB styles. My first Balanchine experience was Valse Fantasie! Also, it’s important to highlight that Mr B created Diamonds as an homage to his training in the Motherland: Tchaikovsky’s music, allusions to pieces such as Diane et Acteon, La Bayedere and Swan Lake. 🇧🇷🇵🇹🩰👏🏻
Thank you, Isabela, for a wonderfully splendid comment. Thrilled to have you share your knowledge, expertise, and experience. I appreciate so very much your watching and for taking the time to write.
@@PamBoehmeSimon what a lovely response. I’m new to your channel but have been binge watching ever since. I’m happy to share my experiences with others and my passion for ballet. I’m really grateful for the Bolshoi and everything I’ve been doing since my time in Moscow.👏🏻🩰
yes it is a nod to his russian training, but his russian imperial training. vaganova changed a lot when she made her syllabus and balanchine held onto some of that older, french training when creating his american dancers. that and the former imperial ballerinas who taught for him and helped pass on the style. he used to say that a ballerina should be like an angel---seeing the drama and circumstances of humans and being moved by them, but not letting those issues actually touch them. removed, but in a spiritual sort of way.
Божественные руки! Как жаль, какая потеря для мира, что ей пришлось уйти( Она уникальна, как уникальны Плисецкая и Максимова. Лопаткина завораживает своим танцем, дышать забываешь!
Невероятная, абсолютная чистота танца, когда танец превращается в сверхискусство ,когда допета телом каждая нота Чайковская. Когда ты не видишь танец - ты видишь чистую музыку. Гений Чайковского, плюс гений Баланчина и гений Ульяны Лопаткиной.
Wow, I knew this seemed an exceptional performance but that is high praise indeed. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share. Great comment.
I'm not so enthusiastic. She doesn't express any emotion. She hardly looks at her partner. She seems to be only concerned by her beautiful technique and looks at herself meaning "see how perfect I am?". The poor guy is completely left out. Sorry. But thanks Pam for posting it ❤.
I understand what you're saying Catherine and would agree was it not a piece by Balanchine. I would be willing to bet she performed it exactly as he meant it to be. He was notorious for telling his dancers to "just dance, don't emote." He wanted his choreography to speak for itself without the dancer creating some sort of "feeling" via facial expression, etc. Also, there is a famous Balanchine quote that kind of sums up just exactly what you said lol... "In my ballets, woman is first. Men are consorts. God made men to sing the praises of women. Women are not equal to men: They are better."
@@PamBoehmeSimon Thank you for answering my comment. You’re right Balanchine was quite strict about expressing emotions, but I always found it a bit frustrating in spite of his great talent. 🌹
@@PamBoehmeSimon Oh my, did he really say that, (obviously he did!) and it makes perfect sense, in this piece at least though i think he'd have something of a riot on his hands if he'd said that in todays 'age of equality 'lol!! Regardless , I thoroughly enjoyed the dancers,the music and the choreography, as well as your explanation of Balanchine's 'theory' because it pulled certain things together for me upon the second watching haha! Thanks for posting Pam , have a great day 💕
Ульяна необыкновенная!
Lopatkina is very beautiful, no doubt. She is the best, Balanchine will be proud!
I'm so used to Russians not getting the hang of Balanchine. I put this one because Lopatkina---and then sat there mesmerized for the whole pdd. Someone said she hardly looks at Zelensky, but I found they were weaving a story and the infrequent meeting of their eyes spoke volumes. There was passion there, but they were keeping it in check . Her fluidity and complete abandon in all of the off-center moves (read: Complete trust in your partner) were about as Balanchine as you could get. And the set didn't blind you! Exquisite, thanks for posting!
Well said. Ulyana is generally not super emotional in the face and that's no problem for this role because Suzanne farrell wasn't either in diamonds. She had the same kind of expression that ulyana does. And she's the standard. Although I must say I think I like ulyana even more than Suzanne in this. Because she looks more clean and refined WITHOUT sacrificing the Balanchine-ness of it. Oftentimes Russians will sacrifice the tempo or playfulness or whatever in order to keep that strict form and synchronization, and high extensions. In rubies this is most obvious. But this particular diamonds pdd is perfect for the Russians like Lopatkina. It requires no tradeoff or sacrificing of any kind. She is absolutely stunning in this.
What a wonderful performance! Just beautiful!
Estou pensando na maravilha de assistir Uliana Lopatkina dançar Jewels - Diamonds, de Balanchine, com a música maravilhosa de Tchaikovsky.
Esta homenagem de Balanchine a Petipa e ao Ballet Russo Imperial não podia encontrar uma intérprete mais adequada que Lopatkina, em todo o seu refinamento e sem qualquer concessão ao público. E amparada por um bailarino soberbo como Igor Zelensky. Ambos expressam Mr. B. exatamente como ele pensava a dança. Bravo!
Que privilégio. São coisas divinas, coisas de Deus!!
Absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen many performances of Diamonds and this is my favorite. Her technique is crystal clear, like a Diamond 💎 also Ulyana does an excellent job of keeping in mind the core of many Balanchine’s works: emotions are subtle so the dance can shine. As a professional ballerina trained in Russia 🇷🇺 Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Romania 🇷🇴, I understand how hard it can be to switch from Mariinsky/Bolshoi to NYCB styles. My first Balanchine experience was Valse Fantasie! Also, it’s important to highlight that Mr B created Diamonds as an homage to his training in the Motherland: Tchaikovsky’s music, allusions to pieces such as Diane et Acteon, La Bayedere and Swan Lake.
🇧🇷🇵🇹🩰👏🏻
Thank you, Isabela, for a wonderfully splendid comment. Thrilled to have you share your knowledge, expertise, and experience. I appreciate so very much your watching and for taking the time to write.
@@PamBoehmeSimon what a lovely response. I’m new to your channel but have been binge watching ever since. I’m happy to share my experiences with others and my passion for ballet. I’m really grateful for the Bolshoi and everything I’ve been doing since my time in Moscow.👏🏻🩰
yes it is a nod to his russian training, but his russian imperial training. vaganova changed a lot when she made her syllabus and balanchine held onto some of that older, french training when creating his american dancers. that and the former imperial ballerinas who taught for him and helped pass on the style.
he used to say that a ballerina should be like an angel---seeing the drama and circumstances of humans and being moved by them, but not letting those issues actually touch them. removed, but in a spiritual sort of way.
Божественные руки! Как жаль, какая потеря для мира, что ей пришлось уйти( Она уникальна, как уникальны Плисецкая и Максимова.
Лопаткина завораживает своим танцем, дышать забываешь!
Невероятная, абсолютная чистота танца, когда танец превращается в сверхискусство ,когда допета телом каждая нота Чайковская. Когда ты не видишь танец - ты видишь чистую музыку. Гений Чайковского, плюс гений Баланчина и гений Ульяны Лопаткиной.
The steady, measured pace of this dance is mesmerizing. It really draws me in and then it's over. This beautiful pairing certainly adds to that.
Mesmerizing is the perfect word for this.
it is nice to see a ballerina trying to get the feel of this pas de deux right.
the height of elegance!
Thank you.
Бриллиант - Ульяна Лопаткина! Браво!!❤❤❤
Truly one of the greatest performances of this PPD I have ever seen. She's up there with Farrell.
Wow, I knew this seemed an exceptional performance but that is high praise indeed. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share. Great comment.
I agree
This is the most beautiful version that I have seen! Both of them are spectacular.
i wholeheartedly agree.
Такая красота!!! Дух захватывает.Ульяна - богиня.
Сколько души! Браво! ❤️
Happy birthday, Pam! Thank you for your love of ballet!❤
THANK YOU!! And, it is my pleasure. Always.
Beautifully done. Thanks for posting.
Diamonds on stage!
Beautiful Pam.
Muchh love🍃⭐🌟🌛
I saw the two of them perform in the West, in I believe 2000, at the onset of their international careers. Astonishign then and astonishing now.
She;s a great dancer!
Thank you, Pam!! Breathtaking!! They are both diamonds. 💙💙
I'm not so enthusiastic. She doesn't express any emotion. She hardly looks at her partner. She seems to be only concerned by her beautiful technique and looks at herself meaning "see how perfect I am?". The poor guy is completely left out. Sorry. But thanks Pam for posting it ❤.
@@cellocat-sm8lx Right. But I think you can be sober and still more expressive. But it’s only my opinion.
I understand what you're saying Catherine and would agree was it not a piece by Balanchine. I would be willing to bet she performed it exactly as he meant it to be. He was notorious for telling his dancers to "just dance, don't emote." He wanted his choreography to speak for itself without the dancer creating some sort of "feeling" via facial expression, etc.
Also, there is a famous Balanchine quote that kind of sums up just exactly what you said lol... "In my ballets, woman is first. Men are consorts. God made men to sing the praises of women. Women are not equal to men: They are better."
@@PamBoehmeSimon Thank you for answering my comment. You’re right Balanchine was quite strict about expressing emotions, but I always found it a bit frustrating in spite of his great talent. 🌹
@@PamBoehmeSimon Oh my, did he really say that, (obviously he did!) and it makes perfect sense, in this piece at least though i think he'd have something of a riot on his hands if he'd said that in todays 'age of equality 'lol!! Regardless , I thoroughly enjoyed the dancers,the music and the choreography, as well as your explanation of Balanchine's 'theory' because it pulled certain things together for me upon the second watching haha! Thanks for posting Pam , have a great day 💕
@@PamBoehmeSimon Wow I didn’t know that quote. Hard to hear in today’s quest for equality. Lol 😂