Mikhail Baryshnikov taking class with the National Ballet of Canada

[@classicalaid1]

I WAS THERE IN THE AUDIENCE AT THE O"KEEFE CENTER IN TORONTO THE NIGHT MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV DEFECTED TO THE WEST. I had read the glowing praise in the newspapers about a wonderful new Russian dancer on tour with the Kirov Ballet, partnering with Struchkova, a world renowned ballerina.. A leading dance critic at the time, William Littler praised Struchkova as having legs which shot out of cannons. And he hit the nail on the head. She was astonishing, as was her up-and-coming young partner, Baryshnikov. It was a mixed performance and Baryshnikov quite literally stole the show, although the cast as a whole was simply stellar. I was sitting quite close, in a center orchestra seat, not far from the stage. With Baryshnikov taking a final bow, I quite literally jumped to my feet, applauding. My timing was slightly off, as I was, in fact, the only one standing. Suddenly Baryshnikov's and my gaze locked. It was a bizarre moment. I knew not what to do. He turned pale as a ghost and his eyes became marbleized with terror. Embarrassed, I sat down and averted my gaze. And as it turned out, a few minutes later he defected to the west, jumping into a waiting car and speeding off into the night. I would have been on edge, too. Next day, he made the headlines the world over, keeping in mind there was no Internet in those days. A few months later he appeared on stage at Ontario Place, down by the lake, performing with Veronica Tennant in the full length ballet, La Sylphide, with music by Adolphe Adam. A huge crowd was in attendance and the whole company was in top form. Ms. Tennant was unforgettably tender as the sylph. Great, magical evenings of dance stay with one forever. My heart goes out to the National Ballet of Canada, the incredible Veronica Tennant and their quite astonishing special guest, Mikhail Baryshnikov.

[@brendadufaur37]

How incredible. Thank you so much Joel for the great comment. You have depicted an historical event. Imagine to get a bird's eye view from an actual audience member. Wow. Incredible. Thank you so much. And it is so great to hear about Struchkova. How wonderful!

[@classicalaid1]

@@brendadufaur37 I met Nureyev years ago and have an amazing Maya Plisetskaya story, if you are familiar with her work.

[@NellySPb-s1n]

Интересно, спасибо

[@BeeTee6017]

A wonder post, much appreciated 🌹✨

[@ttthaiss]

@@classicalaid1 My goodness PLEASE share the Plisetskaya story with us!

[@suzannederringer1607]

For me, Misha is always first a d foremost a great soul. His modesty and seriousness and generosity - and intellect - inform his dancing but transcend it. This is what remains.

[@anamariamejia2095]

Absolutely marvelous!!! He dances like the most beautiful bird on earth, he flies!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@JeremyNasmith]

My first year at National Ballet of Canada was our final in that space at King and Jarvis, also Reid Anderson's final year as director before he left to direct Stuttgart. Bengt Jörgen is in that class, he now has had his 25th year directing Ballet Jörgen where I taught company class for several years. And Kevin Pugh, who taught me for many years and never let me get away with anything sloppy was in that class too. Voice over by Thomas Schramek, one of my ballet masters at NBoC, and Principal Character Artist. It wasn't my generation, but these were the dancers who inspired, taught, directed, and coached mine.

[@louisejaneherity4099]

I'm not a dancer myself but I first saw him in the eighties in a film and I was hooked on him, and totally fell in love with his gracefullness he's just amazing no doubt about it

[@iamjustsaying4787]

@Louise jane Herity White Nights with the late Gregory Hines. Great movie.

[@Sarcastic_Wino]

just beautiful!! He is so fluid!

[@brendadufaur37]

That last combination is so great!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

isn't it!

[@alecsia96]

God. Genius. Absolute genius. I will never get enough of Baryshnikov, anything Baryshnikov.

[@jezebeljones659]

I adored Mr. Schramek's wonderful personality and inspiring dancing with the National in the '70's!

[@carmen9330]

Always gorgeous...and I never thought I`d see Misha doing one pirouette!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

and such a warm funny happy-seeming intelligent guy - he's got it all!

[@kristiLB93]

Wonderful! Love that ending jump combination!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

it's great isn't it!

[@garotadagavea]

He does not seem to jump. It looks like he was bouncing of the floor.

[@stephenscharf6293]

I used to do that same exact combination of small jumps in class, too. Fun to see Misha doing it in class to, just like any other "student". Every class starts with plié, no matter who you are! LOL...

[@Dane_Youssef]

Oh yes, I remember reading about this. This was when our dear friend had literally just defected. Back in the year of our Lord, 1974. I'm glad that Canada did not get to keep him--we did. I'm not saying Canada isn't a beautiful magnificent country. As Michael Moore keeps telling us, we in the States could learn a lot from Canada. But we're eternally grateful he came to the U.S. and decided to set up camp. He loves it over here. As he stated himself, "The United States has been so generous... they will get back as much as I can give..." You've given us a lot too, Misha... We love you... Merde forever...

[@simaraft7373]

Yes for some reason watching class never get old!

[@borisegorov2006]

Это можно назвать только одним способом - Волшебство

[@nbenefiel]

I saw him dance with Makarova while they were both still with the Kirov. It was Swan Lake. When I was a kid in Detroit, Sal Hurok used to bring either the Bolshoi or the Kirov every winter and the Royal Ballet or the Royal Danish in spring or summer. My dad would take me as a Christmas and birthday present. Those days are long over but I did get to see a lot of fantastic dancing. Then I lived in NYC for a time and used to stand in line for standing room.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

lucky to see him that early on - i saw him not long after he defected - he toured Australia i think in 1976 with Makarova - with the Don Q PDD and 'Giselle' Act 2. as a kid i used to queue for standing room at the ROH!

[@Marta44339]

Wonderful! Thank you. Watching this is a joyful experience.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

isn't it joyful - and the footage seems to put you right there in the class! :)

[@denissesantisteban215]

@@JohnRaymondHall mmmmakáa as a. K

[@debbiezenaida]

He is PERFECTION!

[@freddiemercury4evr]

Thank you Mr. Baryshnikov. And thank you John Hall..

[@JohnRaymondHall]

pleasure - and i'm sure Misha would say the same! :)

[@freddiemercury4evr]

@@JohnRaymondHall your response makes me so happy : )

[@JohnRaymondHall]

and your comment makes me happy too @@freddiemercury4evr :)

[@silcorradi9219]

Love Misha

[@watsonarantes]

OMG! Can't believe he is wearing a Corithians t-shirt! A Brazilian Soccer Club!!! LOL

[@JohnRaymondHall]

LOL!

[@josephinestabel9647]

Amazing Dancer 👣👣🤞 And Beautyful soul. 💌

[@oliviaa.lastre6632]

*_Genius, Energic, and So Talent, i just can say one Word, Guaou!!!._*

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, that's the word!

[@robertjohnson2885]

Wonderful wonderful dancer

[@celticfire64]

Here is a Dancer that can out jump out leap every other dancer in the Studio, and his lazer focus is technique.

[@evealicelucienne]

Watching this makes you wonder: how was it taking class with Baryshnikov? Did you feel envy? Or did you stop struggling to keep up and just enjoyed watching him?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

LOL - probably all of the above! i guess just keeping the focus on being the best you could be would be the way.

[@karencaring3356]

MB exudes power and grace. Magnificent! ❤️

[@garotadagavea]

That last exercise is exhausting. ;)

[@lumgs2009]

Algum brasileiro aqui que notou a camisa do Corinthians??

[@muriloheindrich6012]

Vaaaaaaaaaai coriiiiiiinthians!!!!

[@lhzook]

He’s so light on this feet.

[@angele810]

And very powerful at the same time

[@theonecounttheonecount8477]

He had such a dramatic flair.

[@BytomGirl]

What year was it? I love this company, Sveta Lunkina, Evan McKie, Francesco Frola... I have DVD of their wonderful Merry Widow, what a production... I missed their Nijinsky in San Francisco, hoping they will come back soon. Good to see Misha

[@JohnRaymondHall]

the footage comes from 'Bold Steps' A Portrait of the National Ballet of Canada - but the date at the end is unreadable due to the poor quality of the film copy. i would guess early to mid 1980s? yes, it's great seeing him go back to the company in the country he defected too.

[@BytomGirl]

Great company. Also love Hamburg ballet, just watched yesterday their Illusions like Swan Lake on DVD, what an incredible ballet.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

don't know Hamburg ballet - must check them out - thanks for the nudge!

[@BytomGirl]

Hamburg Ballet is John Neumeier... check out fragments of Illusions, beautiful and touching. And Nikolai with Zakharova danced his Midsummer Night's Dream

[@JohnRaymondHall]

okay - thanks. i see bits of that 'Dream' on YT kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5PNe3h5n8qLqtk

[@susannevollmer2347]

Nowadays it`s not necessary for im to show always again how perfect and brilliant he is So, I bet he feels much better now!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, a weight off his shoulders

[@gubjorgaskuladottir4828]

He is the best.... beautiful and delicious to watch

[@JohnRaymondHall]

exactly!

[@_yxngwxlf_]

I know this is a hard question but , do you know the music piece name for the jetes he did in the video

[@erredoffo]

1:23 shirt CORINTHIANS

[@siletsahar]

1:06 - Is it a Corinthians FC shirt? :o

[@JohnRaymondHall]

could be! :)

[@lhpkinhu]

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. And Yes, it is

[@_yxngwxlf_]

2:02 music??

[@beltrano_]

Fcking nice jersey of Corinthians he’s using So cool

[@jeannadal8493]

Eres otro Dios para mi.Eres BEEELLO mi aaamor.Por dentro y por fuera.

[@איילתציונובאשר]

The last exersize ; jete tonleve jete tonleve hands on 3rd, ...counte 5 jump to the side with strach legs into fondu seems like jete, the other leg in kupe derier feet on point..... counte seex jump forward/onavo to the croze corner atityud derier hands on 3rd poztion, 7 and 8 counte step and asomble, end with abig respact please 💞

[@John-mk3oe]

I want to see what MB can do now at age 70 in class. Odd that he stumbled doing a single slow pirouette, but can do 10 without flinching.

[@steelnbone8669]

He had different goal in mind and not necessarily tried to nail a single turn

[@tcconnection]

When was this?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

the footage comes from a 1984 documentary - 'Bold Steps' A Portrait of the National Ballet of Canada' - so a little time before that?

[@kellypatterson9456]

He called him by a different name. Did you notice that?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i think he refers to both defectors, Nureyev and Baryshnikov? 'Erik' is of course Erik Bruhn who runs the company. or was it something else i missed? :)

[@gufsgrrrl19]

@@JohnRaymondHall no, you're right. He says "Nureyev and Baryshnikov". 👍

[@greatminority46]

Why are Russians so good at dance?

[@nnnnnnnnnnn7292]

Great Minority We dance with our souls. Technical brilliance is just a way to express the depth of a pure loving heart. Ballet developed from folk-dancing which was always the meaningful expression of human soul. It comes from within. It comes from inside. It is the heart dancing.

[@lexsani]

Baryshnikov com uma camiseta do Corinthians 😀

[@JohnRaymondHall]

sim!

[@carolynfeldman9643]

How old was he in this video?

[@MMMa3]

36

[@JohnRaymondHall]

it comes from 'Bold Steps' A Portrait of the National Ballet of Canada' made in 1984 - 39

[@lindaharrison3240]

Misha is 69 now. I wonder if he still takes class for staying in shape?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i would think he might but i have no real knowledge - i tried to google this but with no luck :(

[@alexac3098]

I rather doubt it. Don't think his knees can take it anymore.

[@angele810]

1984

[@JohnRaymondHall]

thanks

[@gotrance7]

Vai corinthiams !!!!

[@patriciamaciashernan3702]

Perdón quise decir normatividad

[@patriciamaciashernan3702]

¿Walkin on your footsteps? No Mati Vi Dad

[@kathymyers7279]

He seemed tired.

[@JohnRaymondHall]

sometimes the nature of the art form i guess

[@susannevollmer2347]

He always looks tired and watchful and of course "danseur noble" kind!

[@atis9061]

He looks kind of stiff here.

[@jeffgoesrandom4217]

He is a gymnast. Technically superb. Artistically. He just does the moves. Nureyev. He was an artist. No comparison.

[@angele810]

Nonsense

[@איילתציונובאשר]

3rd arabesk in the british ballet and in the rasha ballet is adifrent muvment 👣 ayelet

[@muriloheindrich6012]

Vaaaaaaaaai coriiiiiiiiiiiiiiinthians!!!!!!!!!

[@michaelhanrahanmoore1622]

His dancing is without emotion. This man never suffered in his life and his dancing shows it. Bring back nijinsky.

[@johnnydtractive]

Did you know his mother committed suicide when he was 12? I don't think he's dancing without emotion. I think he learned and prefers the more formal classical ballet which teaches emotional restraint and a focus on technique and technical perfection. I also prefer Nureyev over Baryshnikov because I prefer Nureyev's emotional expressiveness. But I think Baryshnikov vs Nureyev/Nijinski represent two quite different schools of thought about classical ballet.

[@michaelhanrahanmoore1622]

@@johnnydtractive yes i agree. I did not know about his mother. Its something you would never get over. I also prefer nureyev.

[@МаринаПолякова-б3х]

In most videos, I don’t feel Nureyev’s emotionality. The only ballet that I like with him is Ashton's "Margarita and Arman". I prefer the musicality, elegance and purity of Baryshnikov’s dance.

[@alanaronald244]

@@johnnydtractive well said

[@susannevollmer2347]

It`s a Classe! There is nothing to perform...but you are not totally wrong, better performers for example V. Vassiliev. Godunov, Kumakava.

[@nataliedelagrandiere4022]

Rudy was THE greatest artist of the century. So by watching this, you can only be disappointed.. Let's say he is a good athlete.

[@steelnbone8669]

He obviously is just warming up and taking it easy, what an ignorant stupid comment

[@julibelle3]

According to you. I was studying ballet and went on a trip to USSR in the 1970s. People were still reeling a bit over the loss of Baryshnikov who they thought was really something special. When the subject of Nureyev came up, the general response was, "No one cared. He's nothing special. He's only got a big career in the West because he's Russian."

[@fabienh3943]

Natalie de mon Derrière, c'est le grand n'importe quoi ce commentaire. J'aime bcp Noureyev, mais ça n'implique pas de ne plus voir les qualités de ses contemporains. Aimer bcp qq ne peut pas mener à descendre les autres. Pour ça on a inventé le foot. C'est peut-être plus ton truc??

[@classicalaid1]

@@fabienh3943 It's true, there are some ignorant, ham-fisted comments being offered.