Budapest THEME and VARIATIONS Premiere (11 15 17)

The Hungarian National Ballet with Aliya Tanykpayeva and Gergely Leblanc in my staging from Nov. 2017. This company had not danced much Balanchine before so I taught their company class for 3 weeks before the premiere to get them more comfortable with this demanding classical choreography. The ballerina had severely bruised her rib the morning of this show so her partner had to be extra gentle...and because of the curtain line they had to back up before the final lift, but that's the only adjustments I made. In the man's 2nd variation he takes off from two feet on the first step (double ronds de jambs en l'air) as Balanchine wanted. Unfortunately today most men do it from one foot, which is how it's done by the "Dewdrop" in Balanchine's "Waltz of the Flowers."

[@cynthiafletcher9845]

Thank you so much for this beautiful showpiece. The dancers executed the difficult choreography admirably. The lighting and costumed are great. C❤❤

[@jcliff26]

Thanks. The lighting looks a little dark on this video but it was much brighter. They did very well as this was a bit of a challenge for them, especially the corps.

[@BrittanyCocchino]

​@@jcliff26I am suprised they only had you teaching class for three weeks but It could have been all that was afforded. This Company has some really strong men, One thing Europe Always seems to get blessed with more that the U.S. In 'Murica it's a fight to get the men's ranks filled with quality and the women are overflowing with talent, willing to dance for peanuts.

[@jcliff26]

@@BrittanyCocchino Nothing to do with money. I was there to stage the ballet which only took 3 weeks, and offered to teach for free while I was there.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

OTTIMA PROVA della ballerina a suivre della melodia nella riconduzione dei passi a musica. BIGHIN GIULIO RENZO

[@roberthetrick8849]

Boy John this was beautiful what a beautiful company wow. So enjoy this choreography I think there was a. Where I should have got bored with most Balanchine presentations this made me open my eyes again thank you for this beautiful

[@dawnmaloney190]

A bit softer than I remember NYCB in the 70’s, but oh, so lovely! I’m usually put off by slight movement changes but this group showed a different side to the Balanchine choreography. I was still so excited watching and the costumes were outstanding!

[@michelboudot2882]

Beautiful remounted...bravo. Saw it way way back with youskevitch and alonso...in the 50. Early..

[@BytomGirl]

He is amazing.. graceful, elegant, noble... bravo

[@seaofglass77]

I lived in Hungry for a few years and have been back to visit several times. This company is very special.

[@joana7497]

So beautiful! Thank you!

[@macnellietwo]

My favorite production

[@markbeck8384]

Thanks. Love this music. The ballet really fills up the stage. doesn't it?

[@macnellietwo]

Wonderful! Just wonderful! Thank you

[@katherinebervera4790]

Thank You for this amazing video, and the fascinating information about the man's rond de jambe. So beautiful and inspiring.

[@susannevollmer2347]

Very nice done. I love this costumes most!

[@nan2kaye]

Thank you so much, John .... this is wonderful!

[@barbaralemere5183]

Nicely done! I prefer these costumes to ABT's but I like NYCB's best. They handled the choreography well considering they hadn't danced much Balanchine previously.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Ottima prova dell'entourage del corollario danzante sia nella parte motile sia nella parte statica alla ricerca continua di una figuralita ' espressiva.Ottima la tempistica del ballerino e l'esecutivita ' d'acchito di alcuni passaggi. VERAMENTE BRAVI TUTTI. BIGHIN GIULIO RENZO

[@Kugelsuse]

Wonderful!

[@eduardo8586]

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@BrittanyCocchino]

I find the pas has such an interestingly different dynamic with a classical height differential. This is the old school, super petite ballerina with a giant danseur. It looks so much more demure and romantic. Not better, or worse, just different than when you see the choreo on two dancers the same height which is what you get in all the daddy longlegs companies in America like NYCB, ABT (more recently), SFB, MCB, PNB, ect. I remember at NCSA when some of the foreign exchange students would come study with us for a bit from Hungary because one of the teachers on staff was Gyula Pandi and they were all oh-so-petite. Almost like gymnasts.

[@karennoble1168]

Very nicely done!!

[@simaraft7373]

Very nice, thank you.

[@robertsteele2819]

I too hate the double round de jambe brushing onto 1 foot in the jump. While in the Danish Ballet did I first learn the correct way. BTW...I did not enjoy the principal girl but the principal guy was great....corps looked good with wonderful energy men were impressive!