Ballet Descends Into MADNESS | Le Grand Pas De Deux Commentary | Ballet Reign

Why did we put Christian Spuck's "Le Grand Pas De Deux" at the top of the pas de deux tier list? That's exactly what we're talking about today, so join us as we break down the elegance*, *emotion*, and *sheer beauty behind this very serious masterpiece featuring Lauren Cuthbertson and Alexander Jones' interlude performance at Prix de Lausanne.
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Grace to you,
J&E
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[@chloekravatz84]

So, my brother used to do ballet, and now I wish I did too cause there's such an 'older sibling wrangling a younger sibling' vibe to this piece lmao, it'd be a perfect bonding opportunity

[@balletreign]

It’s not too late is it? 😏😏

[@voyaristika5673]

It's her PURSE. All women know the anxiety of being separated from their purses outside their homes! So clever. Fantastic pas de deux. Thanks for posting this hilarious video with these 2 incredible dancers.

[@Z.A.M.1359]

I just wish this version had the random cow on stage.

[@balletreign]

The cowwww 🐮😂 the most hilarious detail. Guess he was too nervous to show at Prix de Lausanne 🤭

[@firstlast6109]

The cow sadly had to be ommitted in this performance due to a suspicion of mad-cow-decease, because is broke down in hysterical laughter durring the rehersal. Luckily the suspicion later was shown to be unfounded. The cow in this performance in Laussanne was of course cast in Switzerland and is was the same cow which appears on the packaging og Milka chocolate.

[@emanuelebabici]

The guy's solo section is actually a mashup of a few things. Siegfried does those arabesques and double assemblés right after the fouettes in the black swan coda in many versions like at mariinskij I believe, BUT the assemblé finished in that sort or degagé pose with both arms to one side is definitely Albrecht's variation. The solées backwards in arabesque tho I think are exclusive to sleeping beauty coda for male dancers. In general, I'd say male rep is way less iconic than female rep or pdd rep

[@balletreign]

THANK YOU we knew we could count on y’all! 😁😁 Male rep is def deserves more recognition than it’s given ✨✨✨

[@marionbayley1351]

Lauren Cuthbertson was the original Alice in the Royal Ballet’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’. She’s really up for fun.

[@balletreign]

She is one of the best!! A brilliant dancer and actress ✨✨

[@philzmusic8098]

The Tart Adage in that ballet is a brilliant spoof of the Rose Adage.

[@tigerlover3237]

as a non-ballerina ballet fan i love ur channel for exposing me to gems like these!! also i love the way you guys edit in commentaries, like when you rewind the clip you just commented on so we can look at it again. it's so helpful and not a lot of channels do that

[@balletreign]

Such nice words to read! Thanks for ur positive feedback. We’re glad u enjoyed and look forward to having u again! 😁😁

[@cathystockton2721]

His look of annoyance and disgust from the collision...priceless

[@ricopoisson]

Christian Spuck also reimagined the sleeping beauty ballet with male faries. He really is a great choreographer!

[@mariellouise1]

I’ve never seen this piece. I’m sure glad I didn’t miss it!

[@cecilelevert4003]

🤣And my favorite Rossini overture, too!

[@susanpaul4752]

Since I discovered your weekly Saturday debut of a new adventure into Ballet Nerdism, each time, I look forward to it dividing my morning and my afternoon as the week-end begins. Being a longtime multi-faceted nerd was never as entertaining before. Dance On, Dance on!

[@balletreign]

Aww! 😄😄 we love having u with us every Saturday! Sit back and enjoy ✨💕🥳

[@aSUGAaddiction]

Me too. I've always loved ballet and I've learned so much from it

[@CheyenneSedai]

Absolutely delightful PDD, and another one I didn't know. Hadn't realized Le Grand Pas De Deux was different from Le Grand Pas Classique.

[@balletreign]

Happy to introduce u to one of our faves! 😁😁

[@pameladowe2492]

Your comments are interesting and fun. So agree with you, this ballet is funny and awkward, at the same time, and although it descends into high comedy at it takes great skill to pull it off. May Ballet Reign supreme! ❤

[@susanpaul4752]

A staggeringly unconventional PDD is "ASTARTE", choreographed to Mozart in the 1970's by Gerald Arpino, for the Joffrey Ballet. It has a brilliantly different beginning than any other I have seen.

[@emrilbennett8704]

Alternate title: Ballad of a Mentee/mentor lol. Not a dancer, but in all seriousness,as someone who’s been in STEM, disabled, and has had mentors ,This is relatable to me. Especially if you read the purse as a sign of her power and self-control over the situation. A.k.a., her stubbornness on having such a mentor. The sections also remind me of the cycle of these mentor relationships, least in my experience of meeting, getting to know each other finally accepting each other falling apart, getting back together and then starting over again.

[@curiousman1672]

Good times ladies. Thanks for all your effort.

[@balletreign]

Thank you!! Glad u had fun today 😁😁

[@WhitKnight-mi5tx]

Rossini, The Lone Ranger, and Ballet Reign. Merci!

[@balletreign]

Thanks for watching!! ✨👏🏻😄

[@WhitKnight-mi5tx]

@@balletreign, always a pleasure 🙏

[@Lillith9]

Those Rossini-Subtitles completely caught me off guard 😂. Gorgeous! Thank you for your effort and your brilliant videos!❤

[@balletreign]

Haha thank you! 😂😂

[@karenjones9961]

Cuthbertson and Jones are call 911 hilarious in this piece! 🤣 Spuck, like the late Jerome Robbins and Sir Frederick Ashton, has a comic genius gene😊. Alexander Jones was wonderful premier danseur noble. He was the original cast Prince Siegfried in Alexei Ratmansky's reconstruction of the 1895 "Swan Lake," when Ratmansky produced it for Zurich Ballet. It was a joint production with La Scala Ballet. It premiered about 7 years ago. The Royal Ballet considered mounting Ratmansky's production, but they decided to go with the late Liam Scarlett's production. Sadly, Ratmansky reconstruction was shelved by Zurich and La Scala. Happily, it is currently in the repertory of Miami City Ballet.

[@jeffparnell5805]

I don't know who's more entertained. You watching the dance, or us watching you watch the dance. 😂❤🩰

[@balletreign]

HAHA 🤣🤣

[@isabelaandzico]

I LOVE that you made me smile with the brilliant music 🎼 by Rossini - the King of all Overtures and master of creating beautiful chaos and doing the absolute most. While I appreciate seeing the Prix de Lausanne version I have to ask: WHY? Oh why not show one of the GOATS 🐐 Ulyana Lopatkina performing the same role. It’s almost criminal to miss an opportunity to see her great sense of humor and comedic abilities. Absolutely legendary!

[@balletreign]

Rossini always makes us happy 😁😁. Ulyana also did this role well!

[@dalajuliette]

This is perfect after watching your ballet pantomime video yesterday😂

[@balletreign]

Hahaha! 😂😂 you’re on a comedic roll. U should watch our Ballet Protagonist series next lol

[@altuum]

This video is smile all throughout… and multiple chuckles! Brava ladies!

[@balletreign]

Yay we love a good chuckle! 😁😁 thanks!!

[@altuum]

@@balletreign your channel is now my regular Saturday fare. I’m not going to miss out on what you have to offer every time. 😊

[@chloe_ballet19]

I can't wait to learn how to do PDD just so I can learn this one specifically 🤣🤣 Btw love that you mentioned the William Tell overture (it's my one of my fav vars lolol) 💗💗

[@annbrookens945]

This is so funny! I think your commentary added to that to me, since I am NOT familiar with ballet beyond basic lessons for six months as an adult!

[@balletreign]

So glad u enjoy our commentary and got a good laugh 😁😁. Keep dancing!

[@SuddenUpdraft]

I’m a new subscriber. Your explanations of Gisele and Swan Lake were really helpful for me to enjoy watching those ballets. Would you consider doing the same type of video for other ones? I’m particularly interested ballet that I can access on KZbin as I’m unable to attend live performances. Also, I’ve become fascinated with Spartica for some reason. It’s quite a spectacle! I don’t think it’s classical, but what category would you assign it to?

[@balletreign]

Welcome to the channel! 🥳🥳 we’re so glad u have been enjoying our videos. You’re def right, Spartacus is not a “classical” ballet, rather, it might be considered a neoclassical ballet. Hope that helps. Keep Ballet Nerding, we’re so lucky to have access to so many beautiful productions on the internet! ✨💕

[@vivianevans8323]

Blimey - I loved this Chaos Ballet, I loved watching you having fun, i can't imagine how I survived the Saturdays before I knew your channel! Are ye planning to cast yer eyes over what'll happen on World Ballet Day - on Nov 1st this year?

[@balletreign]

Aww 😄💕 thank you sm we’re glad to be a part of your Saturday!! Thats a good point, World Ballet Day is coming up! We should do something cool… 😉🤔

[@miralynne8913]

New to your channel and love it 🙂Super funny video and amazing job by the dancers. Rossini is a great composer. Aaaand chocolate chip mint ice cream is the best🥰 (together with pistaccio chocolate chip).

[@balletreign]

Welcome to the channel and team mint-chip! 🥳🥳 glad u enjoyed this as much as we did! ✨

[@yvonnestrong3856]

That was so much fun! The part of the dance with her on the floor starting at 14:30 and continuing to the "rocking horse" movement that you said was unique to Lauren Cuthbertson reminds me a bit of the Queen of Hearts in the Tart Adage in Alice in Wonderland, where Ms Cuthbertson was part of the original cast although not the dancer in the Adage (3:40 to 3:56 in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6LVm3-moL2dpas&ab_channel=obraz4esimon). Maybe that's where she got the idea for the rocking horse movement.

[@balletreign]

Very insightful! Thank you for sharing that. It was a delightful little addition to the choreo for sure 🐴☺️✨

[@hayatbasheer-ox8zf]

4:52 she looks so offended lol

[@susanpaul4752]

APOLOGIES for a Senior Moment. The PDD I meant to write about is "Secret Places", music by Mozart, choreography by Gerald Arpino, for the Joffrey Ballet, of NYC, in those days. Astarte is something exceptionally DIFFERENT...choreographed by Robert Joffrey...it is not one of my favorites. Seek out "Secret Places."..you will not regret it.

[@Witfrenci]

Great video ones more ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@balletreign]

Thank uuuu ✨💕

[@r3adrpro811]

I still remember a performance around 40 years ago of Peter Martins and Merrill Ashley performing Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux with such speed and force on the fish dive that Ashley started to braced herself for hitting her head, putting her hands/forearms down towards the floor - but it was unnecessary since Martins had her securely around her waist and pulled her up before a collision - it was thrilling to watch, although the next time I saw them do it (a few nights later), Ashley did not leap forward with as much force!

[@markbeck8384]

This was fun..hadn't seen it in a long time. Ice Dancers do that lift where the boy lifts the girl, balanced on one foot. Probably the ball of the foot is a harder balance than on a full skate, (but it's on ice)!

[@balletreign]

That’s a good point, and for skaters they are moving as well! Difficult to say which is harder… 🤭🤭

[@chivesyo]

This is hilarious, I love it lol! It reminds me of the 'Alaskan Rag' section of Elite Syncopations which is also a comical duet. Would love to see you guys react to that sometime

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

I am absolutely fascinated by Jordan's hairstyle! I have a feeling it involves twists, but I'm not sure how. Speaking of twists, this pdd has it all! Thank you so much for the explanation because I never would have known all those references to famous pdds. Enjoy your mint chocolate chip ice cream and have a great weekend! 🤩💐🍿🩰🪩💕

[@balletreign]

Thank you! Def one of my fave ways to put up my hair 🥰. We’re glad u enjoyed this video! It is one of the most *exquisite* pdds ever. Wishing you some delicious ice cream this weekend too!!🍦

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@balletreign Thank you!! 🙏😎💝

[@chietieu]

Thank you for introducing this ballet! Such an amazing piece!! Oh, how efortless they make the difficult choreography! I think the ending lift is from "Voice of Spring" by Sir Frederick Ashton.

[@balletreign]

You’re very welcome!! Glad you liked it! That’s a good point, it does look just like the VOS pdd ✨✨

[@susanpaul4752]

I also wondered about the previous very low placement of the Romeo and Juliette PDD, which to me and so many others I believe, is so totally gorgeous, full of emotion and awakening sexuality. I wonder if this last characteristic of the choreography is the reason you placed it so low in your preferences. Hoping you will discuss this, even if very briefly.

[@emanuelebabici]

I mean they did say that it's not their cup of tea, I guess they are more into the classical ballets than into the modern storyballets/neoclassical ballets. It's personal preference after all, for example I don't know as much as they know every small ballet and pas de deux from the older times, or even ashton, but I love all the Cranko and Macmillan classics which they never talk about

[@dani_banani_11]

My goal as a dancer is just this lol

[@kayradayana174]

This is too funny 😂 also can you make a commentary about "the mistake waltz" next?

[@balletreign]

We’d love to 😅😅

[@lisajackson5438]

This was great!😂

[@namtellectjoonal7230]

That girl is so adhd coded, it's deeply relatable xD

[@melenatorr]

For Rossini, maybe not as famous as 'The William Tell Overture", but a family favorite is the entire (!) "Barber of Seville". Here's one of the most famous arias, "Largo al Factorum", wherein Figaro the barber explains how being a barber of quality is just the best job in the world: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5PLnYqdrs94h9U And this music is "The Thieving Magpie", a comic opera which centers around, of course .... a magpie that steals.... perhaps not as grand as the overture proclaims,

[@balletreign]

Rossini is awesome!! Thanks for sharing your faves. Those are fantastic ✨👍🏻😎

[@melenatorr]

@@balletreign So glad you liked!

[@susanpaul4752]

It is pronounced "A star tay"...see below. AND Con Amore was a funny ballet danced to this same Rossini music by the NYCBallet many years ago...I think it was choreographed by Lew Christianson...but i am not sure about that.

[@oxoelfoxo]

thanks for the breakdown! is it normal to give flowers in their plastic bags?

[@balletreign]

Yup! It is acceptable to give flowers with or without plastic or paper

[@adrienscott6913]

Lopatkina did a great version of this!

[@DudeEM]

Le Grand Pas de Deux and Dance of the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland are 2 of the comedic ballet that should be performed by nothing less than the strongest principal dancers of top ballet companies. Why? Because they’re dangerous to lesser dancers. At least the controlled “blunders” are.

[@beatesetzer2441]

This is so funny!

[@balletreign]

Right? 😂😂

[@Avanell]

Mint chip...baskin robbins mint chip?!!

[@balletreign]

😋😋💕

[@sta.catalinahighschoolinc.9486]

you should see “Waltz of Errors” or the “Mistake Waltz”

[@balletreign]

That one is brilliantly hilarious 🤣

[@marylee8372]

Hilarious 😂😆

[@phoenixlundstrom3447]

Have you seen Ballet Trockadero's Death of the Black Swan?

[@RomeoNJulietLostTheGame]

❤ This piece makes me think of a dream that an untrained person would have about being a female ballet protagonist 😂

[@balletreign]

So true! 💯

[@sharkie-boo]

K, but like- i dont do ballet. Me and who???

[@jessicatevnan3137]

Those are ballotes because the accent is out

[@BarbaraT.]

I appreciate you girls, but too many interruptions to comment in this video. Some things are easy to get, even for non-ballet people.