Legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov Solos: Don Quixote/Giselle-UPDATED

[@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.

[@audepons2705]

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

[@doctorshell7118]

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

[@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

[@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

[@francishughes2016]

Is he better tthan Nureyev ? ?.

[@gonefishing167]

@ in my opinion, yes. Just my opinion though 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺🩰🩰🩰🩰

[@ddc7668]

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

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@marialubert4433]

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

[@RamonaMcKean]

Thank goodness for this original filming!!

[@tighiliuiolanda5637]

Misha - the KING !😊

[@viska3154]

Not the king, the GOD of dance.

[@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

[@cynthiareeves2807]

He is other-worldly. Beautiful, effortless, gorgeous. I love you, Barishnikov.

[@candidacarino669]

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

[@sidilicious11]

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

[@mariacruz-yv7yt]

BRAVOOOOO🌹🌹🌹

[@anamariamejia2095]

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

[@Jennifer-xv7nx]

The heights are amazing!!!

[@sandrarojas5596]

Increíblemente hermoso aun en el 2024💥

[@KentGBecker]

Timeless dancing

[@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.

[@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.

[@mountfujieagle]

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!

[@rudyvera-kw2dv]

Exquisite. Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤peace ✌

[@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.

[@douglaslucas2155]

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

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks Doug!

[@cecilia99670]

⭐️ No existió ni existirá otro igual ⭐️

[@aggelinairiniaggelaki2720]

Why.? There has existed Alexander Godunov. The very unforgettable, unreapitable, unreplacable.

[@nurianebotteixido1087]

THX!!! ❤❤ Brilliant

[@RedHeadAgent]

The man was truly gifted.

[@kallenesperian9538]

SO INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL 💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@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!

[@carabingham3207]

These videos with the commentary and break down of the moves and even how to spell them are amazing. I was trying to research male ballet steps for something that I’m writing and your profile came up on google. I’m so glad that I clicked on them. I am not a dancer nor do I know anything about dance so this was very helpful to me. Thank you.,

[@KentGBecker]

@@carabingham3207 thanks for tuning in! Glad the videos are helpful.

[@marionpearson8757]

The very very best

[@francishughes2016]

Is he better than Nureyev ? ?.

[@cynthiareeves2807]

I have always loved him; such a tremendous talent!

[@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.

[@jamesk8s1]

Glorious! Thank you! 🌟

[@theresathompson4719]

Magnificent

[@josemanuelfuentesdelpozo9572]

unbelievable

[@kihntagious]

great content, thanks!

[@Ирина-б6д7щ]

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

[@marnasorensen988]

Swoon is an old fashioned word but...that's my reaction every time.

[@Tootsie806]

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

[@redshoesgirl]

fabulous, thanks so much!

[@Diane574]

Thanks for this! ♥️

[@DillFallow]

Baryshnikov did not just dance or execute the steps well - he embraced the air!

[@roximol9829]

He is the best!

[@carole.ronning9318]

There is no equal!

[@uikmnhj4me]

Cups looks so fun!!

[@szubal]

The step that looks like Double Cabriole in his Giselle variation might be Ailes de Pigeon ... literally like a "pigeons wing'. A beat on top (like a regular cabriole), then change and beat under, then change to open. I remember working on these alongside Double Cabriole in Men's class... very challenging. Double Cabriole has more significant look to the beat.

[@KentGBecker]

@@szubal thanks! I've struggled with the step. Grant says that it is a beat step, which implies a side to side movement of the legs. However, it looks like dancers do a back and forth movement instead. Not sure what it is, but it does look difficult. Thanks again!

[@mariacruz-yv7yt]

🌹🌹🌹

[@DonnellOkafor-r2d]

The best male ballet dancer ever. The hight, the perfection. He makes the most complicated look easy He had no flaws as a dancer

[@francishughes2016]

Is he bettter than Nureyev ? ?.

[@EstrellaO-2023]

wao!

[@marziaduscaterzi8871]

👏👏👏👏👏❤💫

[@valeriareschner4437]

❤❤❤❤

[@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

[@aggelinairiniaggelaki2720]

That's right. He did everything with aghketism. Because sweet "Misha" us a gymnast, not an artist.

[@Sane-wq8ug]

U may have heard me before I did ballet 11yrs I was good but Mikael is the greatest dancer ever 😅

[@francishughes2016]

Is he better than Nureyev ?.

[@Sane-wq8ug]

He's a bird in flight ✈️

[@francishughes2016]

Is Baryshnikov better than Nureyev in "Le corsaire" ? ?.

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Елена-с6х5д]

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

[@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 .

[@evealicelucienne]

bbb

[@irinam5138]

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?

[@drstew1]

Seeing as Ballet began in Italy but formalised in France, id love to know how these movements would sound in Italian. I mean opera. Is Italian. Virtually most of Shakespeare’s stories came from Italian writers in Venice. Italy ( Italia) So we have so much to be grateful for . On another note i much prefer Italian food to French cuisine lol. But i must end on the absolute mind blowing power and grace of Mikhail Baryshnikov. 🦢 (my favourite dancer.)