Legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov Solos: Don Quixote/Giselle-UPDATED

THIS IS UPDATED FROM THE ORIGINAL SEPTEMBER 2020 VIDEO BASED ON MANY HELPFUL COMMENTS. CONTENT IS SIMILAR WITH CORRECTIONS AND AUDIO ENHANCEMENTS
Mikhail Baryshnikov captivated ballet audiences from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. In his prime, no male dancer was his equal and his work has stood the test of time. What makes Baryshnikov the greatest male ballet dancer of all time? In this video, I analyze two of my favorite Baryshnikov variations to demonstrate what separates him from other dancers. His memorable performances were defined by his great technical command, confidence, and dynamic stage presence, characteristics that are on full display in these variations.
Sources
Baryshnikov photos by Vladimir Bliokh.
Isaac Hernández Paquita solo: • Isaac Hernandez Paquita , @Chapulo7 KZbin Channel
Baryshnikov Live at Wolf Trap DVD, Kultur, 2004, taped live performance in 1976 (two years after his defection from the Soviet Union) at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. Outstanding Baryshnikov performances in Copéllia, Le Sprectre de la Rose, Vestris, and the Don Quixote Pas de Deux with Gelsey Kirkland.
American Ballet Theatre Don Quixote DVD, Kultur, 2003, a 1983 performance live at the Metropolitan Opera House with Cynthia Harvey as Kitri. This was Baryshnikov’s Don Quixote production when he was the company’s artistic director.
American Ballet Theatre Giselle, Bel Canto, 1992, one of the finest examples of this classic tragedy, with Natalia Makarova as Giselle from 1977 taped live at the Metropolitan Opera House. Another tragedy is that this distinguished work is only available on VHS tape. Can the copyright holder please make this important performance available in digital format rather than forcing ballet fans to watch the work on substandard VHS digital conversions?

[@karenward267]

He is truly a master of the air. The height and how long he stays aloft is magnificent. He was not only a beautiful dancer, but an incredible athlete. His technique is perfect. I can never get enough of watching him dance.

[@gonefishing167]

A dancer like no other. His musicality was so superb, his timing exquisite. And that made him - still - a dancer like no other 🩰🩰🩰🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@mariarosariaditroia9624]

Totally agree

[@doctorshell7118]

I’ve been watching him since the 70’s and his performances never get old.

[@blureader1164]

How I define that he is the greatest is, I'm not a ballet fan, but I love watching Mikhail Baryshnikov dance. I haven't seen another dancer who even comes close.

[@audepons2705]

Monsieur Barishnikov le meilleur danseur du XXe siècle et toujours pas remplacé

[@master-gbig1140]

When I was a teenager I saw this brother dance the "Nut Cracker." "I got to tell you," I wouldn't have given a sh*t about Ballet dancing if you were to put a gun to my head before I saw Mikhail Baryshnikov. If anyone had the unimaginable authority to capture someone's attention beyond the cultural boundary of stereotypes that reject someone by the assumption that they are a sissy because they were a ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov did! I remember saying, "Look how high he jumps?" "I was totally blown away." I could not entertain the idea of him being a sissy because he was "totally Badass!" I had to watch The Nut Cracker at Christmas time for the next 4 years. Kent G. Becker, you are bringing back some serious old memories. I thought I wouldn't give a crap about this man this late in the game, however, he deserves my respect! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹💃🕺🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in and happy this brought back memories. He was a great influence in my dancing in the 1980s.

[@master-gbig1140]

@@KentGBecker He made me learn to respect other people for their incredible gifts and abilities. I had an incredible time watching him fly through the air.🕊️ How could a man be so strong and powerful and yet light as a feather? 🪶 This video was "the bomb diggity dog." Total thumbs up. 👍😎

[@alainspiteri502]

m g 1140 for me the great Nutcraker j saw coreo Rosella Hightower with decorations in the style cuevas-marquis,at Paris Opera december 1977 , Clara was Noella Pontois the Prince Payrick Dupond " the Barychnikov of Paris Opera no difference ; j remember as fabulous feerical Ballet

[@marialubert4433]

My long time crush. Lucky the lady who won his heart. ❤️ There will never be another dancer like him in this world. 😍

[@roximol9829]

He is the best!

[@candidacarino669]

His turns and leaps are quite phenomenal ❤ 😊. Thank you for sharing.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

I love your videos! Baryshnikov is so beautiful. I consider him to be the greatest male ballet dance.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@consuelosalazar1024]

i Love Mikhail Baryshnikov

[@tighiliuiolanda5637]

Misha - the KING !😊

[@ddc7668]

I applaud your knowledge + commentary ~ to watch Baryshnikov is other worldly; witb insightful explanations inspirational - much gratitude 👏👏👏

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@Jennifer-xv7nx]

The heights are amazing!!!

[@RamonaMcKean]

Thank goodness for this original filming!!

[@sidilicious11]

Wowser, watching him makes me feel fantastic. Those arms! So much supple power and purpose.

[@RedHeadAgent]

The man was truly gifted.

[@rudyvera-kw2dv]

Exquisite. Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤peace ✌

[@bbaNMDesertHwy57]

Thanks Kent, for your great analysis and for providing the names and definitions of the steps. Of course I love the dancing but it is always a delight to hear the names -- cabriole and retire and sissonne (pronounced correctly) Good Work!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks! Good to hear. French pronunciation is not easy for me.

[@jamesk8s1]

Glorious! Thank you! 🌟

[@marionpearson8757]

The very very best

[@debraprince4511]

Watching him dance is like watching Secretariat run. It's so seldom that we get to witness perfection in this life but it's nice when you find it.

[@KentGBecker]

Interesting comparison. I'm old enough to have watched Secretariat on TV.

[@looknofurther2533]

wonderful in-depth analysis. what an icon!. I always appreciate your videos as they make me watch ballet from a different angle. great work, kent!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@user-op1dc6wj4g]

Он ещё и красив. Чем-то на Майкла Дугласа похож.

[@mariacruz-yv7yt]

BRAVOOOOO🌹🌹🌹

[@nurianebotteixido1087]

THX!!! ❤❤ Brilliant

[@douglaslucas2155]

Your videos are always well done with thoughtful comments. Thanks!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks Doug!

[@jolieisabella1823]

I saw him danced in London in the late 70s and early 80s. Kirkland was one of his regular partners. He was brilliant and his performances were always sold out.

[@Diane574]

Thanks for this! ♥️

[@redshoesgirl]

fabulous, thanks so much!

[@kihntagious]

great content, thanks!

[@josemanuelfuentesdelpozo9572]

unbelievable

[@bgytube1]

Thank you please do more commentary ❤ an knowledgeable ballet who both danced professionally & and was privileged to see a great many dancers of this era live this is delightful.

[@theresathompson4719]

Magnificent

[@jingitbaby]

Hi Kent, thank you for this video. I went to ballet school back in the 90's, one of 6 boys in our year. Was never completley sure if I wanted to be a ballet dancer but loved performing. After a couple of years my teachers, who were mainly ex Royal Ballet dancers told me I wasn't going to be a professional ballet dancer, which I agreed with as i was enjoying modern, jazz, contemporary dance and acting more. By the time i left school I fell out of love of dancing, apart from at the night clubs - all skills are transferable :) To cut this story short I am now in my forties. I haven't done ballet, watched it or even thought about it for about 30 years. For some reason I decided to check some out on youtube and Baryshnikov was the name I remembered and this video was the first I clicked on. Thank you for the break down, all those names of the steps came flooding back as well as hearing my teachers "soft hands! soft hands!". Mikhail was unbelievably good.Perfect technique, athleticism and importantly performance. I think I have a rabbit hole for this evening.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for your perspective on dance and stopping by my channel!

[@juliabuonincontro8617]

Cups looks so fun!!

[@mariacruz-yv7yt]

🌹🌹🌹

[@carole.ronning9318]

There is no equal!

[@KristineMaitland]

Mikhail was brilliant but he did have his moment of weakness and that was early in his career after he defected to America. Mikhail was one to try something new and so he worked with artistic director and choreographer Alvin Ailey and dancer Judith Jamieson. You can read about their relationship in The New York times. In short, brilliant as he was he felt a little out of his element. The article is a great read.

[@KentGBecker]

Sounds interesting. I've heard that he wanted to expand his dance horizon by working with various choreographers. Will check it out. Thanks

[@EstrellaO-2023]

wao!

[@marziaduscaterzi8871]

👏👏👏👏👏❤💫

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@anamariamejia2095]

Es perfecto! Sutil! Vuela! Inigualable! Maravilloso! Espectacular!!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Tootsie806]

Ha! Wonder who, of those high priced basketball players, could do those leaps and jumps.

[@evealicelucienne]

bbb

[@alainspiteri502]

J saw Misha in 1975 at Paris-Opera ( Don-Quichotte pdd Pontois-Barychnikov ) , j remember very well about Noella Pontois , about Barychnikov nothing ; j remember very well entrance Noureev in Sleeping Beauty , Noureev was not only fabulous technic but mostly he had above all to magnetism on his public ; most youtubers weren't born at erea so didn't see them in live on stage but only by Y Tube videos it's not the same thing ; Public like more hight technic as Kimin Kim than Theaters men , Noureev was both Actor '-dancer and also magnetic man on his Audience . All people who have seen Maria Callas say the same thing she was not only a great opera singer with enormous technic but very much more .

[@user-uu6qv8ql3e]

Барышников второй танцор.Первый в мире Годунов!Мы русские гордимся русскими танцорами!

[@irinamaltseva5138]

Superb technique maybe, but I personally don’t find Baryshnikov’s lines graceful or elegant enough. Definitely not the best dancer of all time. Different dancers have different strengths, no one has it all, even Misha

[@sofiamacaroni]

Линии Барышникова не кажутся достаточно изящными и элегантными? Может тебе к окулисту?