Choreography by Balanchine. Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux

An eight-minute display of ballet bravura and technique, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux uses music that the composer belatedly created for Act III of Swan Lake. It was hurriedly composed for Anna Sobeshchanskaya, a Bolshoi prima ballerina who was scheduled to make her debut in the title role at the fourth performance of the 1877 Moscow production, and sought to enrich the part of Odile. Because the music was not in the original score, it was not published with the rest of Swan Lake, and disappeared for more than half a century. When it was discovered in the Bolshoi Theater archives in 1953, Balanchine sought - and was granted - permission to use it for his own choreography.

[@veramentegina]

my goodness Misha.. Still nobody close to you :) such a joy watching him dance..

[@gerdanjanosii475]

Misha. He was a great Demi character technician & artist however Peter Martins work as a partner was far superior.

[@roslynwilliams950]

I've watched this so many times and never tire of it.

[@gg-ke1gp]

So paradoxical, Misha’s extremely toned, muscular body, hanging in the air as weightless as a feather. It’s akin to magic, it’s otherworldly and completely mesmerizing for that reason.

[@karennoble1168]

Baryshnikov never ceases to amaze.

[@kristinmoreno9203]

Baryshnikov is as Amazing as he always was💙 and with Patricia McBride... What a Classic! BRAVO! ♥️

[@freddiemercury4evr]

No matter how many times I watch, this is still mind-blowing.

[@Marta44339]

I agree completely. It is one of the greatest performances I've seen.

[@pedinurse1]

omg just brilliant, Mc Bride adds so many more details and she dances with such abandon, and Misha defies gravity all the time and you can't keep your eyes off of him

[@ddchil41]

When I used to rehearse with them at NYCB...and Patty with other partners, never thought there would come a day...when they would not be dancing...but, of course, that day eventually comes for everyone. I played this countless times for lecture concerts with piano...(with Jacques d'AmBoise and Eddie Villella...fun times.

[@everglade93]

no matter how many versions of this pas de deux i see, nothing compares to this. this is perfection

[@garotadagavea]

I just watched some Mariinsky dancers do this. Not even close. The speed, the crispness, the VERVE. These two are magic.

[@apollonessancr855]

His jumps are still impressively high, especially jumps on one foot!! And camera doesn't help him, he is not shown from below. As for his throwing the leg into the side via entrechat six - that is something brilliant!! It is not old-fashioned virtuosity, that is something that many modern dancers should learn.

[@skydancer3166]

Is he still jumping at 70? LOL

[@pedinurse1]

Did u notice how you are smiling the whole time they are dancing, such perfection, thank you Mr B for your great choreography and genius dancing

[@dharmaofdog7676]

Whenever I watch these Pas de Deux, I immediately think of DaVinci - how he would feel watching these extraordinary examples of such physical perfection in precise motion. Knowing the infinite number of repetitions it took to perfect the smallest and simplest of movement always astounds me. And then they share it with all of us when they Dance. A humble privilege whenever I watch for clearly, this Couple dances within the sacred Halls of the Divine when they do.

[@mixiecat530]

This is a beautiful comment and observation! 🙏🏼

[@user-tz6tw3ss3y]

every time I look and catch myself on the fact that I worry-suddenly it will go wrong at 5:57 )) fortunately, this is Misha and everything is fine with him )) extremely cute and beautiful ballet, such a pleasure to watch Misha and Patricia

[@garotadagavea]

No other male dancer attempts that variation at that lightening speed tempo. None. I have watched quite of the young guns dance this ballet. But no matter how tall, strong, technically wizards, this beast of a male choreography they steer clear. I don't know, I think Misha had music ingrained in his bones.

[@user-tz6tw3ss3y]

@@garotadagavea you're absolutely right! I also didn't see similar fireworks performed by another dancer yet... more than 40 years have passed, and Misha is still unique ))

[@gingerintherogers976]

When you see dancers who are that good you just feel so privledged to watch them move! This really made my day! :)

[@pediatrapaola]

micha at his top could dance rings around nowadays dancers ,l saw many times ,belive me.

[@user-jk2ci3yq5c]

What a pleasure! Just a gem. What a grace, musicality. Baryshnikov is another planet, his dance is phenomenal. And how much grace is in fish dives and in the finale.

[@garotadagavea]

Мариша Полякова how much bravery. If he missed the timing of his jump, she would land on her face. That is jaw dropping.

[@innerlight617]

Misha! whatever he did, one couldn't take off, one's eyes of him. Unsurpassed!

[@Madelyn5454]

Holy s - unreal - magnificent display of ballet at it’s top of the top !! Bravo of course to Misha and Patricia McBride

[@holdensupreme9436]

Miss McBride never "thought" about dancing, she just DANCED!

[@oldenweery7510]

Mon Dieu! Misha is spectacular, as always, and she's a perfect match for him. I've never seen entrechats done so fast---hers are a blur! Merveilleux!

[@luispollack5804]

He`s really amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lilbatz]

Day after the US elections, this is just what I needed. So glorious! So lovely! Thank you.💕

[@pedinurse1]

me too, now during the pandemic and the Kabul debockle

[@palubob]

What a joy it is to watch this again.....and again.

[@pedinurse1]

very time I saw McBride on stage she sparkled, she outshined everyone on the stage, we cannot find fault in anything that was merely the technique of the time, and Misha is just out of this world

[@Madame.Boston]

What a beautiful expression of the "Balanchine" method/style... breathtaking, just wow😍

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Actually, this McBride performance is a clinic. A master clinic on how to dance! When looking at dancers from another generation, allowances have to be made. Like in any sport or artistic sport, technique and capacities improve greatly over the years. So one has to watch things from that plain of perspective. A gymnast or figure skater of the '60s was wonderful but their technique wasn't even close to the gymnasts or figure skaters of today. But they still were great. The same is true for ballet dancers. McBride is wonderful here. Absolutely wonderful. She can show so many how it should be done. Whatever imperfections of technique or neck and shoulder carriage there are doesn't matter. It's about the movement, the musicality, the verve, the spirit. McBride excels in all of these and then some. Anyway, her technique is strong. I've seen videos of other more present-day dancers with a more perfect technique with the sky high perfect extensions, etc., and their dancing is not exciting. You have to have technique but believe it or not, superlative technique can also be boring if the movement and artistry aren't there. It's about how you dance. How you feel. McBride is everything a dancer should be. It is about the music, movement, freedom, excitement, joy and beauty of expressing. It positively does not matter if she has a perfect fifth position or if her shoulders are down and perfectly placed! Yes, her shoulders are a little hunched but look at her go! What matters is that she is a fantastic dancer, and that she is equal to the music! She covers so much ground! Talk about using up space! There is such a thrust in all of her movements, so much energy and impact and sweepingness. She moves! She is alive! She has always been one of my greatly favorite dancers from the very beginning. She is wonderful in the taped performance of Tarantella which Balanchine created for she and Edward Villella . Balanchine so much understood McBride's feel, her speed, her movement, her articulated feet, her musicality, her passion, her fun, her excitement. Lovely, strong technique- fleet! and a wonderful, charming spirit and personality that grabs you all the way through her performances...Of any ballet dancer's career we have just the painfully smallest of glimpses in context of a whole career- a giant span of years from young to retirement. You don't always know how old the dancer is in that particular clip or what part of their career you are seeing just the smallest glimpses of. So we see something and it may or may not be representative of who they really are or how great they were. We are just all lucky to have something! I'm not talking about this McBride Barishnikov video but just in general. Anyway, I think this performance of the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux is wonderful. Patricia McBride had it all...she was a lovely, striking, dancing-all-out performer…a ballet dancer and artist of the first caliber...

[@Julio-fz8xj]

+Brenda Anne Du Faur You describe McBride's passion and exciting dance with... errr... so much passion and excitement that makes your comment an absolute joy to read! Thank you very much for such a joyful read in the utter wasteland which is the realm of KZbin comments. To throw my two cents, I am a total novice in ballet (ballet appreciation, that is) so unfortunately I cannot comment on the minor technique details as you did, but from a rather ignorant point of view, I absolutely adored this rendition of Tchaikowsky PDD, I am STILL excited and moved after having watched it a few times. I guess that means something.

[@kabardinka1]

+Brenda Anne Du Faur I agree, Patricia McBride was a great artist. And there is so much more to dance than how high your extension is. McBride dances the music, expresses the music, and dances full phrases, not just going from step to step, pose to pose as so many dancers sadly do today.

[@avesraggiana]

+Brenda Anne Du Faur Never cared for McBride. I much preferred Suzanne Farrell, who was an iconoclast in every way.

[@sashamanster]

While I agree with you, that fact that Baryshnikov's performance, if he did that today, would *still* garner a standing ovation as one of the best in the world just shows how simply unimaginable a talent he was 40 years ago.

[@donschwellenbach5461]

well said

[@BalletBabyBoy]

This makes me cry...longing for the old days and the ART

[@Jayjen35]

I once read an article where she said that people thought that she was "cheating" by breaking her pointe shoes at the arch. But she said that they were so arched that this was the only way that they would go directly under her arch and that you could tell that her feet were actually more arched than they appeared to be in her pointe shoes!

[@honeyjbc1]

Pure delight. Her feet! Such gorgeous feet. And her delight in dancing. He is amazing. And the last part of this is impossible to believe. Heavenly.

[@cheridusek9185]

Her feet are gorgeous!

[@erpollock]

So fortunate Misha worked with Balanchine for a short time in the late 70s so that we have a record of him in great Balanchine performances.

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

Thank you-- A MONUMENT IN MINIATURE TO A VANISHED AGE. THANKS AGAIN.

[@havenization]

yes it's pretty amazing , her whole fouette segment .its second to none,just everything about her solos ....I ve seen almost everyone dance this except Meryl Ashley & Gelsey my ATF

[@donschwellenbach5461]

Only Balanchine could choreograph a piece that is now legendary, it is truly a masterpiece of dance, it has all the elements,wow factor, turns, jumps, romance, swan dives. pirouettes, lifts,and just pure lovely dancing.. And Misha and Patricia are sublime

[@sluttyfrogmagician]

I'm digging the mini tour en lair at the end of Baryshnikov's pirouettes

[@kristinmoreno9203]

😲 Any jump he does is..."WOW!"

[@karenkaren3189]

that last move always kills me….how he carries her off, her arms and head and leg flung backwards.

[@maseraticboychik]

Yes indeed. Love them with arms in fifth. Have you ever seen the INCREDIBLE clip of Maximova doing all 32 of the Don Q coda fouettes with HANDS ON HER WAIST?!?!??!! it is to die for.

[@rickisablove1369]

This was part of a series of several programs on Dance in America, late 1970s. I believe that they were taped in Nashville. Jac Venza was the executive producer at the time, and his programs were outstanding. Patricia McBride was one of the great Balanchine dancers of that era, and Baryshnikov joined the NYCB for a brief period. I wish all of the programs would become available on DVD; a few of them, but not all, were released on VHS. Thank you for sharing this.

[@skydancer3166]

I'd love to see any of these old programs, if you know where to find them. Particularly the first one in the series, featuring the Joffrey Ballet in 1976.

[@suzanneh8430]

They were wonderful together. He was secure enough in his amazing gifts, did not care that she was taller en pointe!

[@ddchil41]

Hello...so you are a former NYCB attendee...I was piano soloist there for several years...before moving to Europe. Yes, Patti was indeed a fantastic presence in the company...and she was also a very nice person. Even though this was performed many years ago, it doesn't lose its genuine appeal.. Thanks....

[@marianeira9160]

Bellisimo. El alma se deleita Gracias

[@avrevs]

what beautiful footwork from both, and mcbride's limbs just seem to stretch her moves endlessly.

[@gothamette]

Yes, I was a regular attendee from about 1971 to 1983. I was in the audience the day Mr. B. died, coincidentally. I went after that but it wasn't the same. "Patti" was one of my favorites. I think she was the true audience favorite. To read that some ignoramus "despises" her style and technique is truly shocking and depressing. She was a great artist - and technician.

[@ddchil41]

Patty performed this on TV...as well. A brilliant piece of choreography....Now and then I have seen it as part of Swan Lake...but it is now done as this pas de deux...which Mr. B used for this pas de deux...

[@cumdessert]

I was purely hypnotized by Balanchine for most of my ballet-going life, and I used to go to almost nothing else but NYCBallet, but then I discovered the 1964 Sleeping Beauty with Alla Sizova, and went completely to the other side---except for McBride, whom I've always adored and seen many times in person. Nureyev was better in the West, in my opinion (in his Corsaire with Fonteyn, he is more powerful, whereas Sizova actually outshines him in that graduation clip.) I agree totally with the poster below--Brenda Anne du Faur--though, in her raptures about Patty, and I think she is never more beautiful than here. Baryshnikov is wonderful, although the hair seems a bit off. Since I have recently watched old clips of Nureyev in 'Les Sylphides' and 'Le Corsaire' (with Fonteyn), I have completely changed, and didn't know it would be possible. I don't think any male dancer quite matches Nureyev when at his best, but I literally adore Sizova beyond all imagining. She has stolen me from the NYCBallet, and I saw so many of them--Verdy, Farrell many times, McBride many times, P. Martins---and I still love some of the things, especially Farrell's variation in Davidsbundlertanze, so pointed...loved Liebeslieder Walzer (and remember Patty's serene face in 1985), but the appeal was somewhat formed by the exclusivity and the charisma of Balanchine. This mystique was very powerful then at NYCBallet, and it definitely does not exist there anymore, especially now that Martins was 'sent down' with no corroborating evidence. It was good to start with the greatest of modern choreographers (it probably is more often the other way around), but what really remains now from the glories of that Golden Age of Balanchine now that I've seen Nureyev and Sizova at their best (Nureyev once live as Desire in 1973) is really only Patty! I even thought her dancing quite sexy, but couldn't quite figure out why she so excited in that way that other ballerinas in NYCB did not (just speaking for myself, but she's so musical, and although that was always what was talked about with Farrell, I don't think she was more so than Patty, whose precision combined with joy is the only one I can place next to Sizova.) I simply swooned one matinee afternoon in 1987 when I saw her in 'Coppelia', and I certainly wasn't looking for that particular kind of stimulation. So that I always adored her dancing, but now that I seem to love the Kirov at its best (I don't even care that it's film), I find that it has made me value Patty even more, because I find the same line and musicality that Sizova had. Her smile up to Baryshnikov is perfect. I think she is the one ballerina who went through life without a single reversal, and some actually thought there was something wrong with being perfect. I think Patty is Balanchine at his best, although many would disagree. They understood each other completely, and although some of the other drama with other great ballerinas was once interesting, even that did not touch her. And I think she was the only one. Many others left the company.

[@Olivia-ge1oz]

So beautiful. Both are my favorite.

[@harrietcoles5631]

Happy Birthday George Balanchine! Xxx

[@neyfonseca4064]

All these years later and Misha's dancing is still a marvel, regardless of the improvements in technique of today's dancers. McBride is perfection and what strikes me now is how clean and lovely her arms are, in stark contrast to the exaggerated hyper extended elbows and floppy wrists of most NYCB ballerinas from that era.

[@Marta44339]

I love it beyond words. They're perfection and nobody else can match them or even come close. As garotadagavea said, theis performance is magic . I've watched it hundreds of times!

[@rbarnes4076]

Baryshnikov's entire presentation is startling. Incredible cleanliness of line, bravura presentation, clean beats, ballon for ages.. I think someone like him comes once ever 50 years or more. I've seen many that are close, but none that surpass.

[@pedinurse1]

but the wrists are Balanchine styke, its what he wanted

[@neyfonsecajunior]

@@pedinurse1 There's style and then there's affectation...

[@skydancer3166]

@@neyfonsecajunior That's a fine line--how do you draw that distinction? Affectation is "a studied display of real or pretended FEELING." Style is "a distinctive APPEARANCE, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed." Do you mean to say that some dancers are faking the Balanchine style?

[@user-kd3uf9zu6r]

SUPERB! A joy to watch, not only because of the brilliant dancing, but also because the pas de deux is so well filmed ... no stupid camera angles and endless pointless edits, just magnificent dancing being filmed by people who know what they are doing.

[@misspomerol]

Yes technique has evolved since this video was made but man Patty McBride just has a musicality that is missing from a lot of the people trying to perform this today. Your phrasing is just so different from how people are trying to perform this now. This is great. This holds up. 2021

[@gerdanjanosii475]

With all due respect to what u are inferring about advances in technique, However Musicality is part of technique, without musicality then u just have physicality, like gymnastics.

[@gerdanjanosii475]

And no technique has not “evolved” since this past was performed, it has de-evolved, in actuality.

[@dirgesinthedark5637]

Her first pique to knee and his framing attitude..BEAUTIFUL! Horrible how accents and fine detail get lost!

[@52worship]

Probably my second favorite Balanchine ballet, Serenade being my favorite!

[@pedinurse1]

killer fish dives and they face the audience with a smile

[@sila3322]

I'm a student at the PNB and i have seen maria Chapman and Carel cruz perform this in a rehersal. It's Impossible to capture the brilliance of this piece on video

[@veramentegina]

gorgeous piece.. treasure.. thanks for uploading.

[@ballet701]

Now that was something else! Simply breathtaking.

[@alejimenez76]

AWESOME!!!!OUSTANDING!!! INCREDIBLE!!!AMAZING!!!!!UNIQUE!!!!MARVELOUS!!!!MAGNIFICENT!!!!!WOWWOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[@mrparts]

Absolutely amazing!!!!!!! So quick and precise

[@loteezkie9597]

Patricia mcbride is such a jewel. Balanchine's muse indeed.

[@dmmchugh3714]

Still the best performance IMHO. Maybe the Ferri - Bocca video is close. No one can exceed Baryshnikov: power, precision, panache.

[@aj92507]

thank goodness for KZbin and the generosity of foundations like the Balanchine Foundation for allowing this to be shared for millions to see. It is so inspiring and beautiful, even for a dancer well past his prime...it makes me want to dance! thank you for sharing ;-)

[@NatalieYOT]

Incredible!

[@evealicelucienne]

Misha never seems concerned by Newton's law of universal gravitation. Or he doesn't give a damn...

[@leonquerino5683]

I-- AUSHHFAKJDHAKJSDHFLJFA

[@spiritualsnail1584]

I don't think he even knows it exists. He just floats and that's normal to him

[@lilbatz]

@@spiritualsnail1584 This whole vid gave me CHILLS. No good words to describe it.

[@collectiflickthetoad]

you don't care about gravity when you can manipulate space-time

[@lorakarlash248]

не думала, что Миша может так неинтересно и слабо танцевать(

[@TheNellamaria]

A pleasure for eyes and ears!

[@simaraft7373]

No one but real NYCB dancers can phrase Balanchine. And that’s that!

[@katerinakat8133]

What beautiful feet she has! Her movements are so light and precise!

[@QueenLioness84]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@pedinurse1]

Of all the performances I have seen of this, which is my all time favorite piece and which I did see at the NYC Ballet, McBride is perfection in this piece as only she could do it. Darci Bussell also is phenomenal in this piece if you can find it on KZbin. I think back on all the famous dancers I saw there who at that time were not so famous, only Balanchine was really famous them, but look at them now, getting all the recognition they deserve. It was a wonderful era for ballet.

[@FlughafenBetch]

Seeing this ballet performed at NYCB is responsible for my obsession with ballet. I love balanchine choreographies and pure classical ballet.

[@flightydancer]

wow! i love them!

[@freddiemercury4evr]

Laughing at some people criticizing Baryshnikov and the "end" of his career. Quite amusing to imagine the ego one must possess to do that...

[@havenization]

This is how Balanchine wanted this Pas De Deux to be danced and brought to the world. This is why he was fully involved in the filming of this. HE chose Patricia personally so those people who critic the arms , hands or whatever , this is how he wanted HIS choreography presented .

[@RandyDand]

OMG, she is Patricia McBride, one of the 20th century's most famous ballerinas, and a STAR in New York City Ballet in her time - raised at School of American Ballet & trained by Balanchine.

[@AiamsanvaL]

beatiful, so delicated

[@maseraticboychik]

I wish I had seen her Coppelia. I interviewed Danilova once when she was setting it at NCSA and it was revelatory. (She and Mr. B did that Coppelia together, as you know...) There is a triple pirouette at the end of McBride's variation in Baiser which is two on pointe, one on half pointe--talk about HARD!!!!!!!!!! Not being a choreographer is the least of Martins' problems. lol. Reichlen as well--a great great dancer, with no one to choreograph for her.

[@orlihimmelweit2105]

Love Patricia MacBride!!!

[@gingerintherogers976]

Wow!

[@rosgembrun]

So sweet .

[@sanitsilosani]

it was performed in 1979

[@gothamette]

McBride was Balanchine's purest classicist. Robbins loved her too.

[@michelinearthebise2783]

BRAVO

[@peterbillionaire]

So unusual to be able to always see the dancers from head to toe.

[@vickyk1861]

Patricia Mc Bride & Misha

[@ANZA922]

I study vaganova, but absolutely love balanchine!!

[@1931JC]

wonderful upload. What gifts you gave us. Thanks

[@ANZA922]

I study vaganova but absolutely lovee balanchine!

[@michelinearthebise2783]

fantast9ic!

[@wildlark]

awesome :D

[@mnmleung]

Thank you! 04:08 male variation 04:55 female variation

[@gothamette]

No, I never saw them in that, but I did see them in several other things, including the BEST COPPELIA EVER. Nonstop dancing, thrill-a-minute. McBride was a terrific actress as well as an immortally great ballerina. Martins has a slew of excellent ballerinas in the lineup. Pity he can't choreograph for s**t. I would have loved to have seen what Robbins or Mr. B could have done with Bouder, Mearns or Peck.

[@Atealyss]

Love! It looks like they're dancing on carpet. :)

[@soldaliberdade13]

so fassst!

[@nanypolly2]

Lindo!!!!

[@Jayjen35]

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!!

[@gothamette]

Tiler Peck reminds me slightly of McBride, physically. She should study Patti's arms here. Peck whips off lots of fouettes, but with the usual port de bras. Try them sometimes the way Patti does them w/arms in 5th. Hard!

[@havenization]

I love Patricia in this ,you know its an American Ballerina. Balanchine didnt want you to mistake NYCB dancers for any other company. I can still see too much vaganova in Mishas solo's .

[@pediatrapaola]

when l lived a period in london had occasion to see a whole week of perfs of NYCB an was the period that micha was in the company,and must say that did not find the repertoire of balanchine the most suitable to his capacity,having already seen before micha in italy with ABT and other occasions ,must say that prefered him in these occasions .off course he was so good that was good also while sleeping.

[@BridMaireadSara123]

type in "Tchaikosky Pas de Duex" as this is no longer in any ballets - it is it own thing now

[@victoriatomas1722]

her feet are just amazing!!!!

[@Saavedra99]

one of two Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux performances danced to the correct tempo. the rest, particularly the russians, make a mess of it.

[@garotadagavea]

edwi sterling just saw a 2007 Bolshoi-Mariinsky gala. They do a mess of it indeed.

[@kaitlynclem5967]

I think the French do it quite well, actually. Or at least they seem to in the Aurelie Dupont recordings.