Analysing Sugar Plum Variations! | Mariinsky, Bolshoi, Royal Ballet

[@judegarcia6657]

Nina encompasses everything I imagine a sugarplum fairy should be. Those little head tilts with her infectious smile!

[@rhythmicmusicswap4173]

can we talk abou when she rolls her eyes? so playful

[@isabelaandzico]

As a more natural lefty, I love seeing and dancing the few moments in which the ballerina has to turn left. I was trained at the Bolshoi and worked really hard to turn right like most girls. It ended up being the BEST thing for my career because I am now EVEN on all jumps, turns and flexibility.

[@smurf902]

The ability to STOP after so many turns like that on a dime from Nina is absolutely astounding.

[@sabinemeding1987]

Bolshoi version definitely

[@meganomahoney5450]

I started ballet when I was 8 years old have been dancing ballet for 3 years I can dance on ponite I like royal Ballet

[@petervan7372]

Nina is the best. the Bolshoi set is coolest, snowy, blue is the warmest color

[@Yeknodathon]

Of the three variations I feel more connected to Nina - she has that playful cheekiness.. a sort of coquetteness a fairy is quite likely to have. "I shall dance to you, humans, but you cannot catch me!"

[@averycutecat1852]

I love this series of comparing different variations♥! Sometimes I watch a piece and like it, but I couldn't analyze and articulate so precisely for the reason. I got so many aha-moments from this commentary series for the reasons I like a performance.

[@balletwithisabella]

I'm so glad!❤

[@Lapidu18]

Bolshoi.. Also I think that Nina is the best of the best in this.. U chose good to show her

[@gonefishing167]

Just lovely Isabella, much easier to pick up the difference in variations when seeing them all together. Nina was just lovely. I also like the natural hair - I’ve never liked the white wig, even as a little girl and that was a very long time ago. Beautiful ballet 🩰, thank you 🩰🩰🩰🩰👵🇦🇺

[@Marijkiee]

The bolshoi version just has something magical and different by the execution from Nina. I agree I like that version the most out of these 3. I even like the more natural snowy cold stage design somehow. It let's the dancer stand out more in my opinion compared to the other stage designs, which ofcourse are also very beautiful and unique in their own way. Love this series. I learn so much about the little nuances and what to look for in the different variations. Thanks for continuing these. Keep them coming and hope you will reach a milestone soon with the amount of subsribers. You 100% deserve it! ❤️🙏

[@kaylac9132]

Thank you so much for continuing this series! One of my favorite on KZbin for sure

[@georginareid3828]

Nina is divine ❤❤

[@alescianalita7338]

Bolshoi is perfection! So beautiful!

[@charlesTBear]

Nina is THE QUEEN! Just amazing tho I love them all.

[@smiche12]

I'd be curious to know what you think about the Balanchine version. I loved Nina's version! Wow! ❤️

[@Marta44339]

I love the Balanchine version most. Kaptsova was fantastic. I did like all of these variations, and Hayward especially was very fine dancer.

[@annabellemitchell192]

Haha you’re so gentle and calming but also funny too. I loved the intense zoom in on ‘smash your goals!’ 😍 you’re the best Isabella!

[@lionsmaine1238]

Right? Great sense of humor!

[@Sarinhajd]

I love the Royal Ballet, and I have watched the nutcracker at the ROH, but I agree with you 110 %. This variation is sooooo iconic and I think the royal ballet version falls flat, it is almost frustrating how much it does not match the moment and the music (in my humble opinion 😅).

[@santi7616]

all are very good but the bolshoi one is my favorite 👌❤️😊

[@sarojini108]

Thanks so much for these comparison videos: you’ve pointed out so many things I never would have noticed and it really helps me appreciate all these variations more fully. All three Sugar Plums express so much charm and lightness, it was really hard to choose a favourite, especially as the choreography is so different. I loved Renata Shakirova’s execution of the bourees in the Mariinsky version, Nina Kapsova’s technical prowess is awesome in the Grigorevich version, I love her cheekiness and the manège at the end is just stunning- but overall I enjoyed Francesca Hayward best. For me the white wig and that scenery is so iconic before even the dancing begins. I like that choreography the best, gruelling though it must be to perform. My own ballet training never got further than RAD Majors back in the 1980s but I never forget the wonderful life lessons ballet taught me and I have always carried on dancing in some form. You are so lucky to have trained at Vaganova; my first ballet school was NATD Russian method and I loved it.

[@littlemissgroove]

Nina is outstanding !!!!

[@katarinarabekova3396]

I do also very much like the Grigorovitch version, as well as the pas de deux, I think the whole version of the ballet just has a little bit different essence to it, but it is very nice. My all time favourite production would be the Mariinsky one, it was the first I saw and I just love the magical look and atosphere of the stage. The royal ballet one I have never seen, so I can't compare, but in general I feel I get the best experience by watching russian dancers.

[@janiakowska]

Nina is so great ! a star

[@dmitryk1822]

I think that it is important to mention that versions from Bolshoi and Mariinsky do not have sugar plum fairy. This variation belongs to Masha ( in Europe it is Klara) as a result, movements are different.

[@florencegaye1391]

I'm so glad you left your comment, I didn't know who Isabella was talking about when she said she nearly had the role of Masha. Thank you for explaining that.

[@lgarvey11]

😍😍😍 Ah the Grigorovich! You know how much I love it :) I just think the Royal Ballet's version doesn't match the music as well at the beginning. I learned the Mariinsky one as a teenager and loved dancing that, but I agree, the manège missing at the end loses something.

[@n.2197]

So glad to have found this video, thanks a bunch! 😊 I have a question about the Ivanov variation here: what exactly are those jumps she starts performing around 8:01? Doesn't quite look like anything I know... or am I missing something? Thanks!

[@nataliyawells3793]

Nina is the best!

[@ellenolenska9141]

Really interesting comparison.

[@egodreas]

This made me want to watch Yuhui Choe dance the sugar plum fairy again, but there doesn't seem to be any videos of it on KZbin 😞

[@KiraHelenRose]

Royal Ballet does the Ivanov choreography which I believe is the original choreography for Sugar Plum.

[@galinavahturova6510]

Мне показалось, что в версии Королевского балета фея больше соответствует сюжету, в в Большом театре она более эфемерна , но это больше соответствует музыке. Спасибо ! Очень интересно!

[@kaykomckayface1097]

Thanks for the Video! Nina was just so magical! Always wonder what would a dancer do if she or he get offers both from mariinsky and bolshoi? Is it a tough call? Personal preference? Or one of them is considered more prodigious than the other? 🌹

[@Kayra-r9e]

There are so many factors, some of which only insiders would know. Like, what kind of repertoire you can be offered; how often you're going to perform; if you're hired as a soloist, who's going to be your ballet master/mistress (dunno about the rest of the world, but in state-run Russian theatres soloists have their own teachers rehearsing with them individually) and what the relationship b/w this ballet master/mistress and the artistic director is, etc. And one must also remember that the more prestigious a company is, the more difficult it is to get promoted, simply because there're so many talents, all eager and willing to snatch a role.

[@kaykomckayface1097]

@@Kayra-r9e I see now. thank you so much!

[@Kayra-r9e]

IMO, Grigorovich comes the closest to expressing the music via movement, not just stringing some ballet steps together to be performed in time to the music, but truly making the choreography embody the spirit of this piece by Tchaikovsky. You watch the performance and think that not a single step can be altered or replaced - it's that convincing. The Royal Ballet's is the version that I find the least appealing - first, it's repetitive, second - there're some parts that appear random to me: yes, the tempo and the rhythm are the same as in the music but those sequences don't reflect the music's character. And of course the slowing down during the final part makes the whole variation feel heavy and somewhat laborious.

[@vantilate]

It's hard to choose between the Royal Ballet and Bolshoi versions - they're both nice and long and they're just... different. As long as I'm seeing a great dancer (which all of them are!), I'm happy.

[@Ragdollcatlover]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@balletwithisabella]

Happy to hear 😊♥️

[@tehrandixon2654]

Definitely The Royal Ballet, the épaulement, the foot work and the MUSICALITY of the choreography gives me goosebumps. Absolutely lovely.

[@anaicotrim9557]

Strictly from a dance point of view I choose the Bolshoi variation. As member of the public and in the context of the show the Royal Ballet version is by far my favourite. Much more artistic and aesthetically appealing.

[@primalcritters]

Bolshoi hands down!

[@NA-jb7sd]

The Grigorovich version stands out both in terms of complexity, dynamics and Nina's interpretation. I'd have to place the mariinsky second because though not very complex, this version is coherent: short, sweet and flowy in dynamics. The RB , to me, was neither here nor there. Started out sweet and then the last part was like trying to add a layer of complexity without the steam. I am not a dancer, so speaking as a subjective member of the audience only

[@Fuegonova]

I agree about Shakirova's springiness being pleasant for a Sugar Plum

[@Vale-kg3vd]

I think Renata is very pretty, but sometimes she gave me the impression not to have fully control landing and in between steps. Francesca was super precise, stable and just extremely clean, the cleanest among all. But I must say the last version of the Bolshoi is really cool, with lots od change of dynamics, and the dancer was just brilliant

[@karennorris7880]

Francesca has a very unusual quality. She's understated, yet so compelling to watch. One can't take one's eyes off her. I love Renata also, but I wasn't wild about the Marinsky's choreography for this variation, it seemed a little repetitive. Of course Nina Kaptsova is the perfect Sugar Plum Fairy.

[@anneharrison1849]

I thought you'd like to know that your podcast isn't just helping dancers, I'm way past dancing age and having a body that can do that stuff, but I'm subscribed to listen to the interviews, but sometimes the title of a "regular" podcast will catch my attention and I'll listen to it, I found the one on being overwhelmed super helpful, but the huge one for me was goal setting, doing something small for 100 days blew my mind, I'd not heard anything like that in regular productivity stuff, they often say do something small, but rarely for a fixed number of days. I had to do an emergency rearrangement of my home in the summer, leaving my master bedroom a complete disaster. It still had a bunch of stuff I hadn't moved into my new bedroom as well as all the boxes I'd pulled out of another bedroom. After listening to your podcast I wrote down those 100 days (also something I've never heard suggested before), today is day 23 and though just now it actually looks even messier I know how many drawers are empty and how many bags have gone to the bin and it actually feels like I could be done in under 100 days. I'd not got started when it was an unending task, now when I get to the end of 100 days I can stop as there aren't any external deadlines.

[@balletwithisabella]

Aww thank you so much!! That’s amazing to read! Thank you ❤

[@maceyliz_ballet]

royal ballet is my favorite. marinky’s is a little too short for my liking and although the bolshoi’s is very challenging, i find feels like gymnastics. like they tried to fit in as many turns as possible. royal ballet’s fits the character well and it allows for a lot of artistic expression while still being challenging

[@megy5924]

Hey Isabella, is it ok to contact you, I sent an email around two weeks ago, a video idea, you could do a ballet photoshoot in nature maby as a collaboration and challenge with other dancers, would probably be great photos. Also I'm wondering is it worth it to start ballet at 19 if I want it to be pleasent to watch,what level is possible to reach in 5-10years, is it phisically possible to achive positions for developing right technique and using right muscles

[@barboras6860]

Nina❤❤❤

[@kim.young.]

Bolshoi version is my favorite!!!

[@thomassr8664]

It would have been better to use the Cuthbertson version of the RB Nutcracker. Not only is it a proper ballet clip but she’s more experienced at the role at the time of recording.

[@deSeriosa]

Im sorry but Mariinsky just embodies the magic & musicality from an artistic perspective. Bolshoi is just "see how athletic i am!!"

[@leilaruthe2]

If you ever do part two, you should include the Balanchine NYCB version!

[@caril.9384]

yes please!

[@dmitrykim3096]

Do you feel jealous to Franky that didnt go through 10 percent of what you went through but is a star of Royal Ballet?

[@balletwithisabella]

Not at all. Frankie was always destined for that. I still enjoy bumping into her and saying hello when we cross paths :-)

[@mariat.7599]

The Royal Ballet version is my favorite

[@edwinnavarro6017]

Bolshoi and Mariinsky....

[@susanpaul4752]

Appreciating your unique perspective, informed comments and pedgogy as well. Sometimes, you speed up your speech and lower your voice as if thinking aloud...and it is not always easy to understand what you are saying...which I do want to hear clearly. No offense intended....just wanted to mention this as it happens frequently. Thanks for all you offer on your videos.

[@nikolinagarvanska7369]

Renata🩰Mariinsky The most musical, elegant and gentle

[@nickvin3212]

С великолепной Ниной в роли Феи Драже не сравнится никто, её танец затмевает даже исполнение Максимовой! Обьективно хореография Григоровича самая сложная,она гораздо труднее версии Иванова/Вайонена, это видно даже профану вроде меня.Тем не менее Нина абсолютно воздушна в этой роли,настоящее божество!В мариинке чудесно исполняла Фею А.Сомова,так же в её танце в было ощущение невесомости и волшебства.Версия же хореографии КБ упрощена до крайности,но исполнена блестяще.С уважением к другому мнению.

[@minnauyeda7339]

I’ve always been partial to the Royal Ballet version. They’re all beautiful.

[@Жанна-ч7ю]

Все по своему прекрасны, но мне больше нравится Советская балерина Ефремова, как она прекрасно передала в танце Фею сахарной сливы. Запись танца 1970 года. Я её пересматриваю несколько раз. Этот танец , просто магия в исполнении Ефремовой. Благодарю.❤

[@sedekiman824]

Francesca Hayward the most musical.

[@croockdancing]

Bolshoi vsn

[@georgesealy4706]

The continued cropping of the video frame is highly annoying. It adds nothing. Stop it! Let Isabella speak without it.

[@ipt3000]

The second Dancer for my eyes, was the only one that really embodies the music and the others I don’t think the choreography is even trying to embody the music because the third Dancer it’s just too much power moves with a very delicate, beautiful, charming magical piece of music??? Actually did not like what I think was the Bolshoi (3rd) - I don’t need to see Italian fouetté turns In the variation, for what reason? The Dancer did good job executing the choreography, but I don’t like the choreography. Honestly Gelsey Kirkland from the 70s is untouchable in this.

[@eb4256]

The camera ins and outs are infuriating. Stop!

[@lionsmaine1238]

Disagree

[@katiekaa4563]

Nina Kaptsova is the Queen of Sugar Plum Fairies. 👑

[@maceyliz_ballet]

royal ballet is my favorite. marinky’s is a little too short for my liking and although the bolshoi’s is very challenging, i find feels like gymnastics. like they tried to fit in as many turns as possible. royal ballet’s fits the character well and it allows for a lot of artistic expression while still being challenging