Mikhail Baryshnikov: The Turning Point Variations UPDATED
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- Опубликовано: 27 дек 2023
- THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM MY APRIL 26, 2021 VIDEO "MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV SPECTACULAR TURNING POINT SOLOS." THIS VIDEO IS SIMILAR AND INCUDES AUDIO AND BALLET TERMINOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS.
The Turning Point from 1977 is one of my favorite movies. The Turning Point featured dance segments from big name ballet stars of the 1970s including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Suzanne Farrell, Peter Martins, Fernando Bujones. This video provides commentary on two Baryshnikov solos: his Ali variation from Le Corsaire and the Basilio Act III variation from Don Quixote. His solos reveal unique steps done with rare athleticism and command that have stood the test of time.
Thanks to Jeremy Naismith for insightful commentary on a previous video that has shaped my comments on the Ali variation.
Sources
"The Turning Point" DVD. Anchor Bay Entertainment, 1977.
"American Ballet Theatre Le Corsaire" DVD. Image Entertainment, 2000.
"Baryshnikov Live at Wolf Trap" DVD. Kultur Video, 2004.
Thumbnail photo of Baryshnikov in The Turning Point: Allstar Picture Library Limited. / Alamy Stock Photo, All Star Picture Library, 20th Century Fox.
All other Baryshnikov photos: Vladimir Bliokh.
Glossary of Steps
Attitude: A pose in which the leg is bent at a 90 degree angle.
Barrel Turns: Turn of the back done in a circle. Also called Tour de Reins.
Double Tour en l’air: Two turns in the air off of two feet. Mostly performed by men.
Manége, en: Travel around in a circle while performing a combination of steps or turns. A popular manége consists of coupé jetés.
Pirouette a lá Seconde (also, turns in second position): Large pirouette in second position, the free leg extended at 90 degrees.
Pirouette en Dehors: Turning on one leg, outward on left leg, clockwise.
Retiré: A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position en l’air with the knee bent so that the pointed toe rests in front of, behind or to the side of the supporting knee. Also referred to as Passé.
Rivoltade: The dancer places one leg in the air and then gives the impression of jumping over it with the other leg. The landing foot is the same as the takeoff foot.
Saut de Basque: A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. A jump off of the right foot would land on the left foot. 
Кино
It is just amazing to me that watching Baryshnikov and any of his dance sequences just never gets old. Not even fifty years later. I'm sure he's only human but his dancing was miraculous.
Pretty sure he’s some type of heavenly being......I was going to say angel, but he makes angels look dull.
I agree....he was amazing !!!
The elevation is unbelievable ❤️
Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the best dancers of our lifetime! 💐
Absolutely amazing, still to this day! 🔥🔥
Baryshnikov is absolutely my favourite dancer of all time. His dancing is forever watchable and I watch his performances over and over again. ❤❤
The thing about MB is that for all that perfect technique and pyrotechnics he has that extra Je ne sais quois about him, it's like I believe he gave his all - yet oddly enough with restraint. Today I watch some danseurs go almost out of control trying to nail down the steps, whereas MB made it look easy. Whether it's the attitude of his head, or relaxed hand, or even just a lifted eyebrow - he was a showman on top of everything else.
The artistry and athleticism on Baryshnikov’s part and the filming of 11:01 is staggeringly mesmerizing. 😳
Exceptional artist and athlete, he will always be my absolute favorite. He could hang in the air with his powerful jumps, and could be as delicate as well. Breathtaking❤
Same here he is the greatest male dancer ever. Still no one can touch him. What an incredible talent. His acting was always amazing.
My son is a doctor now but still dances. His first movie was "White Nights" which he was obsessed with as a small child. Baryshnikov brought so much to the Western world.
Thanks for tuning in! I have a video on White Nights that might be of interest.
I was fortunate and blessed to have seen Baryshnikov dance in person twice and it was truly amazing. When he first came on stage the audience was so silent you could have heard a pin drop - I think we were all collectively holding our breath!
He's magical.
Сегодня 27 января день рождения М. Барышникова. Самый лучший подарок - его смотрят, им не перестают восхищаться, его любят. Это и бесценный подарок нам!
Thanks for reminding us of his birthday!
Still utterly unique.
My favorite Ballet dancer. Every move is perform to perfection. A beautiful performer. ❤❤🎉🎉😊
Mikhail Baryshnikov may have had the most impressive and most memorable dance sequences in the movie, but my absolute favourite is that 20 second clip of “Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux”; with Suzanne Farrell diving headlong to the floor, legs in tight sous-sus, and Peter Martins catching her just before she breaks her neck.
There were a number of dance segments in the movie that were memorable. Unfortunately, many segments did not make it into the movie.
There is one performance I wish I could see - Baryshnikov and Jamieson in Pas de Duke. There is an article about Baryshnikov 's work with choreographer Alvin Ailey in The New York times. I highly recommend it.
I remember watching this as a teenager then going to class myself during a summer intensive on the back of my boyfriend’s bike. My Vagonova trained instructor always had a little laugh at the whole situation.
Baryshnikov is the best dancer of all time!
Nella difficoltà che comporta il balletto classico riusciva ad avere la leggerezza di una piuma. Inarrivabile, magico!
It is amazing how high he could jump, considering he is only 5'6"! He had that rare combination of athleticism, technique and grace, the latter I don't personally think Nureyev had.
I do believe he was THE greatest male ballet dancer, seeing it in slow motion is awe inspiring!
I’m obsessed. Period.
Dear Kent, thank you for this fabulous update. Will always remember this movie with him and Gregory HInes. After seeing his Ali and Basilio Variations it's difficult, not comparing any seeing later with his interpretations. Thank you for all this jewels you gift us on your channel.
Thanks for tuning in!
Holy hell, could Misha fly. 💕
thank you for letting us see the dance first, and then again with commentary!! It is truly truly the best way to do it!
I am 70 with all the feet issues that come with age only made worse by years of punishing dance. Watching this video reminded me of the elation dance can make you feel, I regret none of what I did to myself in my youth, it made me feel alive. Thanks for your work in making the video.
Same here. I have ankle arthritis that prevents me from jumping and running. I can't dance anymore but have great enjoyment watching others.
Love Baryshnikov...watching this movie was part of dance camp when I was young. So many amazing dancers there that have not been surpassed even with today's tricks....
He’s really very amazing & true, haven’t any body who can dance as well as he does. I’m always mesmerized & love to watch him. Yeah, I love him with Gregory Hines too. They’re both great dancers. Thanks for sharing & the explanation of his performance is great to watch. ❤
I also have a video on White Nights with Gregory Hines that may be of interest.
Thank you for the analysis. It adds a great deal to my appreciation of this amazing dancer.
Kent, thanks for these ballet videos. Baryshnikov is my all-time favorite dancer. I love "The Turning Point" and wish the full movie were available on RUclips.
And yes, I've seen Corella do the pirouettes with some in plie. That performance of Le Corsaire was fabulous.
Happy New Year !
Happy New Year!
Corella was a beautiful dancer, a Prince.
He was truly Amazing!!!❤
Love your channel! Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in!
Your videos!! Incredible gift you give us!
Thanks!
It's athleticism!
Such wonderful understanding and dissection of these astonishing moves. Just discovered your channel. Thank you very much for this wonderful information and happy and hopeful New Year ❤️🌹
Thanks for tuning in! Look for more in 24
Crikey could he turn!!!!!!!
Broke my ankle just watching. Mercy me, yowsa and 1000 times “Yeah, Baby!” I’m actually blushing as I write this. Sigh….
Magnifique, grandiose.
Du jamais vu avant ça.
Breathtaking performances. Thanks for the much appreciated insights, Kent! Happy new year.
Thanks! Happy New Year!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, KENT! And may your new year be filled with the joy of dance! From your #1 fan, Chip (aka B. Nicholas Barthold)
PS Thank you for another interesting and beautifully produced ballet video. #I❤🩰
Thanks for all of your support, Chip! Will have more to come in 2024. Have a great New Years celebration!
Kent, I LOVE ❤️ your videos💕💕 I taught high school dance for many years. We always watched excerpts from The Turning Point. I still have a copy of the movie on VHS. I have seen these variations literally hundreds of times. And it never gets old. I don’t care how many new male dancers appear, Baryshnikov is the best🎉🤩⭐️😀
Too bad the Turning Point is not available on streaming, only DVD
Its available on Hulu. I watched just before Christmas
Another excellent video and analysis. Thanks!
Love love love! Thank you!!
Thanks for tuning in!
@@KentGBecker Always. I love your narrated videos! ♥️
Wonderful video. Thanks as always for your informative as well as entertaining films.
Superb stuff, Mr. B!
I know speaking for myself he is the best male dancer that i have ever seen .
I did not know Baryshnikov had defected!
Maravilloso por siempre
I actually think it’s harder doing something that will be spliced together. You have to do multiple run throughs, not because you need to improve a section, but for stuff like “the lighting was wrong”.
Good point! These videos are terrific😊
You have nearly 18 thousand subscribers! 🤎
Which is 18K more than I thought I would ever have!
Ну не знаю, а я просто прогулялся от дома юности Барышникова до его первого хореографического училища.
already chabukiani showed pirouettes in plie in one of his solos as frondoso in laurencia .soloviev too did in his solo in l corsaire .both available here on YT
Thanks! Will check it out
BRAVO 👏!!! Kent 🎉!!!
Another YANKEE STADIUM 🏟 homerun post.!!!
NUREYEV made history and BARYSHNIKOV changed it!!
I think these innovative choreography complexities were likely already in the experimental stages at Vaganova with Maestro PUSHKIN who was also NUREYEV'S teacher.
The "Open 4th" preparation for turning I think was originally planned by MESSERER at Bolshoi, though, I saw the great CHABUKIANI on video do it also and he was responsible for many great Bravura creations that were never credited to him at the Kirov. My bet it was CHABUKIANI...
Vladimir VASILIEV used the OPEN 4th in most if not all variations.
In closing,
The greatest step I saw BARYSHNIKOV execute was the traveling brisés in the 2nd act of Giselle in his American debut at ABT with NATASHA.
No one has ever equaled his electric speed precisión and the leaning forwards toward the feet. I remember Martine Van Hamel's amazed look watching him come towards her with the speed of a bowling ball!
That American debut performance was not at the Metropolitan, it was at the State Theater. I remember the shock people were in after the performance. That performance as Albrecht the great BARYSHNIKOV sealed his legendary legacy. Thank God this silly "The Turning Point" movie captured his genius, and the great ALEXANDRA DANILOVA scene stealing!!!
P.S. Jeremy NASMITH posted a wonderful "Le Corsair" on his channel!!!
Cheers 🎉for 2024😊
Thanks so much for your detailed comments! I wondered about the open 4th position for turns common among Russians. Didn't know it might have originated with Messenger. Thanks for bringing up Baryshnikov's brisie series on Giselle. I may do a short on that given how stunning it was. Thanks again and best wishes for 2024!
@KentGBecker I think doing a short exclusively on the famous traveling brisés is a fantastic idea. Definitely do it!!! Cheers 🍻 👏 ✌️ 🥂!
same reaction in italy when misha debuted in giselle with our fracci in giselle .people could not belive to their eyes when misha did his trmendous revoltades ,and me too was 1975 in florence @@KentGBecker
Baryshnikov's traveling brisés in Act II are phenomenal and so much more dramatic and expressive than the gazillion entrechats done by many dancers. I also would love to see Kent Becker video on these!
Danny, thanks for sharing & HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This is why I love the internet.😊 How else would I know this. 😁
Thanks!
Mexico❤
Goats are goats for a reason. Bollè is the next. People with that alien level talent.
😍❣️🇲🇽💞💯💐
I’ve always been impressed with his airtime,
He was always able to get stuff done in the air cuz he has some serious airtime.
Of course by impressed I mean jealous. 😢
And was jealous of you too.
But I did stay with the music…
You always said staying with the music didn’t matter as long as you started with the music and ended with it…..which you seemed to always do. Take care Bud.
Dave? Is that you? Only you would remember something I said 40 years ago. Send me an email at kentgbecker@gmail.com.
Yes, sent you email. HNY!!!🎉🎉🎉
The algorithm sent me to this channel that i think u will also enjoy the current young dancers hard at work!!! @evanysphotography