Ballet Technique Through Time Part 1: Dying Swan
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Ballet, an art form steeped in tradition, has undergone remarkable transformation over the past century. Its evolution is so profound that a dancer from Anna Pavlova’s era might scarcely recognize today’s techniques. While all art forms evolve, ballet’s changes are particularly striking when compared to music or painting, where continuity is more evident. To explore these differences, we turn to "The Dying Swan," a solo iconic for its emotional depth yet simplicity.
"The Dying Swan," created by choreographer Michel Fokine for Anna Pavlova in 1905, is not connected to the ballet Swan Lake. Set to Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals, it is a standalone piece, primarily composed of bourrée steps, arabesques, and attitudes. The focus lies in expressing the swan's final moments rather than complex choreography, making it an ideal lens for examining ballet's evolution.
Anna Pavlova: The Original Swan
Anna Pavlova, born in 1881, rose to prominence at the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg before forming her own company to bring ballet to new audiences worldwide. Her performance of "The Dying Swan," captured in early 20th-century recordings, emphasizes emotional expression over technical precision. Pavlova’s fluid arms and dramatic interpretation overshadow her physical technique, reflecting the priorities of her time.
Maya Plisetskaya: A Refined Classic
Jumping ahead 50 years, Maya Plisetskaya, a celebrated Bolshoi ballerina, redefined the role. Performing well into her 60s, she brought a smoother, more controlled aesthetic to the piece. Plisetskaya's rendition, filmed in 1975, highlights straighter legs and refined movements, marking a shift where technique began to balance equally with emotion.
Ulyana Lopatkina: A Modern Masterpiece
Fast forward to contemporary ballet, Ulyana Lopatkina’s interpretation exemplifies today’s technical expectations. A prima ballerina from the same lineage as Pavlova, her 2017 performance showcases extraordinary flexibility, precision, and strength. Her hyper-extended lines and expansive range of motion demonstrate the pinnacle of modern ballet training.
A Century of Transformation
Placing Pavlova and Lopatkina side by side reveals a century’s worth of evolution in ballet. The emotional core of "The Dying Swan" remains intact, but its physical execution has grown exponentially in complexity and polish. From Pavlova’s expressive storytelling to Lopatkina’s technical mastery, each dancer reflects the values and advancements of their time.
Yes! More side by side compare/contrast please!
Dying Swan is my favourite specifically because of watching Lopatkina's interpretation of it.
I like this format and think it would be interesting to see more comparisons
I’ve loved ballet all my life, but this is the first time seeing a side by side comparison. While I love the strength, technique and athleticism of the modern era, watching Pavlova’s swan makes me *feel* something beyond just awe and appreciation for ballet as an art form. She embodies it so completely. She moves like a stumbling swan reaching the end barely able to hold its head and wings up. I love her expression of the music. It goes beyond technique.
Dame Margot Fontaine is another emotional dancer whose style of movement always transcended technique on stage. I urge you to find some of her filmed/taped performances.
I saw Plisetskaya do Dying Swan in Moscow. She brought the house down. She also performed it on Ed Sullivan and "touched" people who didn't even know ballet hardly and they never forgot it. On her death bed, half conscious, Pavlova asked for her tutu so she could perform. That's deeply touching.
I remember crying when Lopatkina retired, because I'd never get to see her dance in person.
I would LOVE to see that
LOVE the side by side comparisons!! As a lifelong ballet dancer and teacher (now in my 60s), I believe this is vital for young dancers to see. It is also great for ballet enthusiasts to see. I don’t mean just the evolution of technique but also the artistic side of our beloved ART form, Ballet. Thank you, Cynthia.
It should be noted that Pavlova's technique was unique even among her contemporaries: she perceived her physique as a disadvantage compared to the more athletic professional contemporaries, and, when she tried to emulate their strenuous technique, she was strongly reprimanded, I think by Fokine, though I'm not sure. He told her trying to dance like others would wreck her body and that she should build on her unique gifts. So I think that representing Pavlova as typical of the 1920s era is misleading.
so interesting!! i can tell natalia osipova probably took inspiration from anna pavlova dancing it too
this is one of may favorite pieces because of all the emotional background, so beautiful to find this video just when I'm doing a research involving ballet portrayal
All three performances are so beautiful
Really enjoying these compilations that give a side by side comparison of the succeeding generations. So much changes, and yet much remains the same. Lovely!!
Thanks for using Lopatkina! Had the pleasure of seeing her live performing this very piece in Versailles summer 2001. She had the audience mesmerized the second she floated onto the stage and held it captive throughout. One could hear a needle drop in the seconds after the performance before the audience in the birthplace of ballet erupted into well-deserved BRAVO!s. Memory of a lifetime. She may not be the prettiest or the most delicate or the most flamboyant, but she is in a class of her own.
So true. Except I think she is the prettiest and most delicate 😂 I know what you mean though. She’s just beyond every other dancer, so those things don’t even really apply to her.
Lopatkina is just so utterly exquisite. And Plisetskaya. And I appreciate Pavlova's artistry in its historical context, but I think even today's standards her back was beautifully articulate. Thank you for this - and yes more, please.
Natasha Makarova's dying swan make me crying😢
love seeing the evolution
The side by side is very demonstrative of the differences! Learned a lot!
Wonderful! Thank you! Each is such a gifted dancer!
I had no idea you did longer videos.. I thought it was only shorts.. off to watch every thing ❤❤❤
Yes! More please!
Watching this clip and listening to the interpretation is such a treat to my day! Thank you! And yes! Would enjoy more of this type of video to enrich my love for ballet.
I'd love to see the Rose adagio over time!
Extremely well made video and excellent commentary. Amazing to see the comparison side by side. I got to say that Lopatkina is my bias.
Why, yes! Yes I would like that very much indeed. How kind of you to inquire. Now, please. More! I want More!
love it!
I love this. More please!
Thank you !
More comparisons Yes!
Yes. I really appreciate this type of video.
Artistically my fav is Makarova. I could feel the pain and struggle, it hit me hard.
more of this please!!!!
I've learned so much from your videos and commentary. Please give us another side by side comparison.
Yes, please. More side by sides!❤
Wow this was fascinating
Woud love to see more comparisons
It seems like this solo is kind of like the bach etude that everybody knows for cello. because you can listen to different people play that, and it's like a totally different experience, it's almost like a thing that if you're a cello player, you need to have your own interpretation of it, and its like a point of experience, once you're good enough to have your own interpretation
That’s really interesting ❤
Fascinating!!
Please do more videos like this, they are so informative!
Yes, please.
… and the point shows at that time were literally “points” shoes with little platform. Thank you. ❤😊
Yes, please. More comparison videos 😊.
Yes
Thank you! I love this side by side analysis.
OMG I JUST FOUND YOU. Ready to binge watch ❤❤❤ rock on sister
lol thank you, made my day. I’m just getting started in here, a TON is on the way. ❤
Yes! Commenting for the algorithm.
Lovely comparisons. But I hate the idea that technique is “better now.” It’s just different.
.
They can objectively do more now- but a person may have a preference for an older style.
It’s like cars from a 100 years ago vs now, they have objectively improved, can go faster, safer etc but someone may prefer an older style.
It’s “better” from a strength, extension, precision foot work, number of pirouettes perspective. In a measurable way it’s on a higher level.
Please do more videos like this
Yesssss
Have you seen Mezentseva? Her interpretation is much more Pavlova......it's one of my favorite versions of Dying Swan, you can find it on RUclips.
Fokine was very much influenced by Isadora Duncan, who had performed in St Petersburg. This is why I think his ballets were much more 'wild' than the contemporary and relatively 'clean'. versions of Les Sylphides and the Dying Swan.
please do a kitri!
Do more pls
Zakharova, please!!!!
I'm more of a fan of the Plisetskaya style to the current overextended almost throwing tricks sort of style that seems currently popular.
oh lopatkina you are a goddess
Please pronounce the composer Saint-Saëns correctly. It’s not that difficult.