Maya Plisetskaya in Swan Lake (1957)

Unarguably one of the greatest ballerinas of the second half of the 20th Century, here she is at 32 yrs-old in one of her most iconic roles.

[@user-bp1gi6yp9e]

Непревзойдённая Одетта, ... Господи! Сто раз можно смотреть ! И все будет мало!!! Спасибо вам, Майя Плисецкая!!!!Вечная память....😢😢😢❤❤❤

[@Elena-zs5us]

Это действительно танец, балет, в котором есть душа...а не просто акробатические па и шпагаты. Почему об этом забыли?..

[@marajade13]

I modern audiences want acrobatics. I definitely do not.

[@user-kl3en3ox2u]

Майя живёт в образе!Блестяще!

[@mariaelenavecchione2213]

Her arms movements were pure magic. Unequalled to this day.

[@polinalipp6139]

Какие светлые лица у публики! Как психологически глубоко передают чувства , до слез затрагивают душу зрителей, высокое искусство очищает и вдохновляет!!!

[@chugaev]

Похоже, что мало что изменилось во мне за 66 лет. Я не могу глаз отвести от этого шедевра, как было со мной, когда мне было 5 лет, Бельцы, Молдавия. И мои мама и папа не смотрели кино, а наблюдали мою реакцию. И через 3 месяца для меня пришло из Москвы прямо с завода пианино "Лира". С чего и началась мое музыкальная жизнь параллельная с математикой...

[@NoreenHoltzen]

That is an extremely beautiful story. Spaseba bolshoy

[@polinalipp6139]

👏👏

[@itopus1]

Once you have seen Maya Plisetskaya dancing in the Swan lake, you will never look at this ballet in the same way. She is the swan, no one compares. The greatest ballerina of all times. Thank you for making this gem available.

[@jcliff26]

I totally agree with you. I was so fortunate to see her many times in her prime and to be taught by her and be able to call her a friend.

[@cynthiaokeefe8876]

John Clifford , As as child in the sixth grade, our mother made sacrifices (married, but single income and with three girls! Ahh, those confining ‘50s!)in order that my sister and I had the privilege to see Maya dance in Philadelphia, Pa. USA. A bit of a culture shock after knowing only our dance recitals....to say I was mesmerized would be an epic understatement! I believe this performance was in 1957 or 1958...to this day, I can remember the delicacy of her arms, especially, but also her delicacy in general...and how, combined with her other strengths, acting, her intensity, plus, in The Dying Swan, that moving vulnerability....a great blessing from our mother...the magic & beauty of that evening is with me still. I have no training in ballet, and as young as I was seeing Maya dance The Dying Swan touched off a lifelong love & appreciation for the hard fought excellence of ballet in general.

[@itopus1]

@@cynthiaokeefe8876 May your mother be blessed, unforgettable it must have been indeed.

[@americapaniagua3312]

​

[@selini52]

I was lucky to have seen her too, only excerpts from Swan Lake and with Nureyev and sitting next to Margot Fonteyn. We were all taken by her swan!

[@hermajesty52]

This caliber of dancer comes around so rarely. She is the “Callas” of the ballet world ••• a dancing actress much the same way Callas was a singing actress.

[@kabardinka1]

An an artist who makes you feel through her life on the stage... not an acrobat.

[@GrandOldMovies]

Plisetskaya is breathtaking! -notice how she uses her eyes, the follow-through of her gaze, how she engages the other dancers when she looks - what a complete artist - it's as Edwin Denby wrote, the mark of a ballerina is that she dances not just her own role but the entire ballet

[@jmbwithcats]

I saw performances like that with the Pacific Northwest Ballet over the past few years, absolutely amazing dancers.

[@nataliavarrault2829]

Какое несказанное счастье, что записывали Плисецкую,Уланову,Фадеечева!!! И мы можем их видеть! Наслаждаться совершенством в чистом виде.Смотрю и сама себе не верю, что в 60-м,будучи девочкой 14-летней, видела на сцене Большого Галину Уланову!

[@rlatimer10]

One thing that makes Maya special is her acting ability. Today’s dancers care mostly about technique and practically nothing about acting so the audience is being deprived of the emotional aspect of ballet and you feel strangely empty after watching these so called “perfect” modern dancers.

[@SW-fm6up]

I totally agree!! I've never seen any dancer as expressive as Maya in my intire life!!! Therefore she will always be my favorite Ballerina!!!

[@jmbwithcats]

I disagree, you've been watching the wrong stuff... check out the Pacific Northwest Ballet, they're absolutely amazing.

[@jacquelineaulet2186]

I have to agree!. ❤️🙏

[@marajade13]

Ulanova, Maximiva, Danilova, etc. all focused on acting vs these crazy hyperextentions and jumps. Its so refreshing to watch these ladies.

[@Siren_Of_Summer]

It's not just that. I've also noticed that most modern dancers are loud.. . I can hear their shoes. Don't like that so much. Some of them rush being on point.. . She lived on it. Breathed it. Can't be afraid to dance.. . Bc of the pain. Alena is pretty good. Her acting and enthusiasm resembles Maya in a way.

[@nattie-k8380]

Unbelievable! Watching her from 2023 still makes goosebumps! Never stop wondering this absolute elegance and grace

[@user-id7zh3sr7l]

Потрясающе) Фадеечев сыграл как на виолончели на Плисецкой. Все так нежно, с чувствами. Красиво, спокойно, органично, в музыку. Потрясающие костюмы. Замечательный кордебалет

[@PatriciaGoodsonpianist]

I was privileged to see her in an excerpt of this in Boston at a very badly organized festival, which meant that she at age 60 was dancing at midnight. She so overwhelmed the audience nonetheless that she had to repeat it, and did so flawlessly. I had never seen anything so beautiful.

[@user-qc7cz6cy1i]

Счастье что этот шедевр записан. Слезы подошли ! Всё прекрасно ❤❤❤❤❤. Тело не танцует - ГОВОРИТ ! РАССКАЗЫВАЕТ !!! Гениальная Майя Михайловна !!! Вечная память !!!!💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@user-pf7dz6dt3z]

Чудесная музыка, замечательные танцовщики и прекрасная операторская работа - общий план, крупные планы, вид с задника, портреты зрителей 🎉❤🎉

[@user-wq6lg9wl7z]

шедевр,шедевр!советский балет -абсолютная величина. новаторство не нужно.

[@maryrosenblatt6741]

Soviet ballet isn’t the same as Russian ballet. Soviet government punished dancers who didn’t join the Party and repeat Soviet propaganda and ideas. Nureyev knew that they were being lied to. He left for the freedom in dance and to know the truth.

[@Jayjen35]

My goodness, her arms are incredible! They are mesmerizing!

[@anonymousunnamed3026]

Definitley a Prima Ballerina Assoluta. Beautiful. Goes to show there is more to ballet than technique. You also have to have that passion and acting. A perfect example of a ballerina.

[@ImogenC-rt3fm]

One does worry about her ankles, though.

[@emiliaenache9444]

Maia,geniala unica,the best,nemuritoare.Slava ei vesnica!

[@lindahb6181]

Truly exquisite. Not harsh extensions but, instead, gentle lines of pure gracefulness, wonderful musicality and superb characterisation. So gentle and such skill

[@kabardinka1]

RIP Nikolai Fedeyechev. Partner of Ulanova and Plisetskaya... the best of the best.

[@toeknee1965]

what a performer!! and artist, actress, dancer, musician , movie star. that black swan!!!!

[@walterbenjamin1386]

13:01 Here is the most thrilling dancing I've ever seen. Her diagonal movement across the stage, then the attempted flight never cease to overwhelm me. For me, this is the test of any Odette - the ballerina's moment of mastery. I've watched this performance countless times. Plisetskaya is pure genius in this role - young, ripe and gorgeous.

[@gothamette]

Thank you for this comment. It wipes the taste out of my mouth of the person who nitpicked some imaginary fault, below. I agree with you - however, I was let down by the substitution of the 32 with a manege. I'm not a purist and I've always thought the 32 were over-emphasized, but the choreography that they subbed was not good. JMO. Plisetskaya was a goddess.

[@user-qc7cz6cy1i]

Счастье что этот шедевр записан. Слезы подошли ! Всё гениально ❤❤❤❤❤.

[@jennifers6435]

She is exquisite..the hands!!

[@liborhlavacek5260]

A real ballet drama, not only a demonstration of sovereign technique, but a drama for 1957 at the time! the technique is also great! Nobody has her arms! Thanks for adding. 👏

[@se9f282]

Can we all agree the Corps is fabulous in this as well? Her arms have such expression.

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

everything is beautiful in this version of tSwan Lake (except the shoes of Siegfried at the beginning). The stage settings and specially the tutus, they are so fluffy and gracious compared to the modern one (they look like pancakes to me). The way this is filmed and edited, with close ups on Maïa PlissetskaÏa's face (Odile) are very professional. But the way she dances and acts during the whole ballet is something else. Absolutely fantastic. I am so glad we are able to see that almost 75 years after ... thanks to this Yt channel and John Clifford

[@user-te1hp4sf8m]

Да, это не нынешняя техника, но все равно завораживает, в отличии от современных, особенно тощих балерин!

[@user-zw7ws9ux1x]

Вот именно! Здесь красота, костлявые неэстетичны

[@alondraramirezramirez7354]

Que bonito ballet, año 1957 que tiempos .nací en 2006 y para mí es como su hubiera vivido esa época saludos desde tlaxcala México.

[@ljubima100]

Мая Плисецкая нравится мне не только как балерина, но и как человек, как характер.

[@user-jz2mo1em9r]

In one word, she's unique.

[@user-io9mi6lm5l]

Загорались яркие звезды, величавые, но над ними трудились люди, которых мы не знаем.Звезды гасли, меркли, падали и погибали, но свой вклад в большое исскуство оставили нам. Низкий поклон всем , кто причастен,расскажите об их судьбах.Заранее благодарю.

[@user-wq6lg9wl7z]

ох и пластика!вся трепещет,чудо,как красиво.

[@mercedeslina1414]

MAYA,THE BEST IN THE ROLES OF ODETTE / ODILE.JUST GREAT!!!!!!!

[@monicaonofri8372]

Única, maravillosa e inolvidable Maya.

[@viewerabundzu6887]

Amazing Ballerina

[@BytomGirl]

She is so seductive as a Black Swan... she was GREAT.

[@yasinwijaya6775]

Thats right, she was a mesmerizing, beautiful, gracelful ballerina. For people who can't see this, just know that everyone is unique.

[@evgeniyarabieva1798]

Бесподобные лебединые руки, лебединая шея , выразительный взнляд, глаза ! Горлимся жтой балкриной !

[@user-dm1nr9fh3z]

Артистизм великолепный,руки крылья,взгляд,БРАВО!!! Техника не айс,но такой выразительности сейчас почти нет.

[@user-mm2ue9ge3p]

Это её еще ранние выступления и съёмки. В более поздних съемках техника у неё отточена почти до совершенства. Танец "умирающий лебедь" Плисецкая есть такая съемка

[@user-jw6cn8qm5r]

​@@user-mm2ue9ge3p А где же фуэте...

[@user-bk9kg7cr7y]

Ульяна Лопаткина- всё совершенно.

[@julizubkova8102]

Боже мой, почти 70 лет прошло, а я плачу от этой красоты, такие сильные эмоции вызывает этот спектакль, эта версия победы добра над злом❤ браво Большой!!!!!!

[@nan2kaye]

Beyond the beyond ... just extraordinary! Thank you so much ch for posting this, John!

[@dictysjk]

Die beste Ballerina aller Zeiten. Sie hatte was Anmutiges in sich, unerreichbar.

[@claudiapowell2311]

I wonder how she trained for her pieces her muscles are so great.

[@hectorsaez133]

Todo lo genial de Naya está revelado aquí, mi ídola mi genio, la Vi solo una ves en 1978 en la muerte del Cisne en el Teatro Vera Corrientes R. Argentina y me dejó prendado mi corazón, Viva por siempre Maya

[@user-il8ld8me4s]

Как не смотри, на мой взгляд - Майа - Олиллия!, Одетта - Уланова!, Обе гениальны!, Это , мое впечатление. Одетта- Уланова - хрупка и нереальна, а Плисецкая с характером!, Впрочем - все субъективно.❤

[@saffronsworld1508]

My, how times have changed.

[@alinaj1707]

Saffron's World And they have changed for the worse.

[@wendylouisehall19]

It is a privilege to witness this cameo and gem performance of excellence and professional perfection so many years ago! Wonderful piece of ballet history Wendy Louise Hall ex ballerina with PACT Ballet Company) SA

[@minissa2009]

Finally had time to sit down and watch this whole thing. Glorious! I had to check a few other places to see if she ever did the fouettes because she was certainly capable of them (I have her Little Hump-backed Horse, which for some reason includes them, although they make no musical sense). That said, that manege is thrilling and I think , much as a good bunch of fouettes is my cup of tea for the Black Swan, I'd rather see a variant like this---her turns are like lightning and she finishes perfectly on the music---than a sloppy fouette sequence. I didn't realize the Soviet companies used the music for the Black Swan as we typically hear it in the West as late as 1957 and am curious when Odile's variation switched to the one I'm more familar with in Soviet productions (long harp arpeggio, minor key). I just wish the film editors didn't decide it was a good idea to focus on the audience when there was compelling action onstage! Thanks for posting!

[@minissa2009]

I guess I just answered my own question (although I wish I could narrow the time frame). In a YT film of Plisetskaya with Bogatyrov ca. 1976, the male variation uses the variation from Balanchine's Tchaikovsky PDD and female variation has switched to the one in the minor key.

[@jcliff26]

minissa2009 I think that other Black Swan variation cane in when Grigorovitch redid Swan Lake for the Bolshoi in the early 70’s.

[@vivianleenet]

@@jcliff26 Personally I love the new Odile variation much more than this one. It's much more sinister and really encompasses the black swan motif.

[@jcliff26]

Vivian Lee Both are Fine. There are so many I’m not sure which “new” one you’re talking about. All depends on the ballerina for me. I especially like Alicia Alonso’s Black Swan.

[@vivianleenet]

@@jcliff26 The one with the long harp at the beginning and the oboe solo :) It came around in the 70s when Swan Lake was being redone at the Bolshoi, I believe.

[@lindildeev5721]

Dame Margot Fonteyn was amazing in this role but Maya was the best Odile. When Dame Margot dances Odile, she's mischievous, she looks like all of that is just a prank while Maya has this devilish look on the face, she really is this dangerous yet attractrive and entertaining enchanteress.

[@jacquelineaulet2186]

My favorite Ballet of all times!!!💎💗🌹🙏

[@user-nn9go2ce5u]

БРАВОООО...!!!

[@eucharisti2644]

LOVE FOREVER OLD CLASSIC

[@nickraven2820]

What a magnificent artist. She is just mesmerizing.

[@Pottery4Life]

Marvelous!! I have to say that I like this better than the 1975 version I have.

[@user-do3ub1iz9t]

Как люди в то время до такой красоты додумались!!!!!. Сейчас не могут

[@user-kl3en3ox2u]

Почему?А Захарова,а Лопаткина?С балетом всё хорошо.

[@user-qk3fu9jz8k]

@@user-kl3en3ox2u отнюдь.... сравнивать не сравнимое?!

[@Kuka0720]

Очевидно , не было телефонов

[@MsSlucyna]

Maria Callas of the ballet.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Anche molta attorialita ' in questo balletto che contempla altresì quello che con un mio neologismo mi piace chiamare convolo aereo ed elanista della ballerina ottimamente indotto e tenuto dal partner Ed una riconduzione dei passi all'euritmia melodica da parte della ballerina sorprendente. Ottima la regia ideativa della tempistica della narratio.Ottima prova di tutti gli agenti in proscenio per facilità esecutiva d'acchito delle varie pose figurali assunte nel balletto.Molto bravi TUTTI.BIGHIN GIULIO RENZO

[@peaceserenity940]

Absolutely stunning she my favourite ballerina

[@63Asako]

Heaven gives two things.How beautiful ,Maya!

[@violetta47]

That is BALLET !!!!°°

[@Theresa-rl5qm]

So happy to see this..heard about her since l was a little girl

[@aliciaelcirapierri9338]

Ella es la exquisitez absoluta. Única e Insuperable.

[@payingtoplay]

57 is the year my mother was born, wow! I figure ballet was a lot more dramatic and the interactions were a lot more meaningful than today. It's so theatrical I love it, less "boring" if I may. And Maya is the embodiement of the Black Swan, I rarely see so much passion.

[@alant3970]

Magnificent performance.

[@lazarocedeno5270]

But seriously. The divine Maya.

[@brendadufaur37]

Thank you for this wonderful treart.

[@juanmsotog]

¡Bellísimo!

[@SuperLeonardo40]

Im not an expert but,,,i think she was much beter than many today.Am i wrong_?

[@jcliff26]

No. You’re very right. Todays technique has gotten better, and bodies more sleek, but no one beats her artistry or passion.

[@SuperLeonardo40]

@@jcliff26 Thank you .i think, Maya was and always will be stunning and marvelous.One of the greatest ballerinas of all times/.

[@user-cd7lj2le4l]

@@jcliff26вы хотите сказать, что балет деградировал? Но это же не так и вы это прекрасно знаете. Это привычка восхищаться балетом прошлого

[@claireschweizer4765]

she is sooooooooooooooooooo captivating

[@barbaras.alarconv.3484]

Maravillosa!!!

[@jacquelineaulet2186]

Always Breathtaking!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@avasgranb1]

Marvelous! Could someone comment on her shoes? They seem so tiny and soft…

[@jcliff26]

They were small but rock hard. I have a pair.

[@ivnafuchigami4039]

Perfect Maya!

[@user-fm1tz7he6n]

Правда, балет раньше отличался, сейчас намного техничнее исполняют, фигуры более стройные, но харизмы нет, как у Майи❤

[@axellebozon6077]

Il y a eu Margot Fontaine avec Noureev également ex éxceptionnels ....et aussi Claire Motte seule ballerine française invitée à danser le Lac au Bolchoi ...

[@lynnearlyriser]

The best swan arms ever.

[@valpurves45]

Magical

[@viktorijakrasavina345]

Удивительно! Не только тело выражает эмоции, но и лица показывают всю гамму чувств! А сейчас ноги поднимают выше и растяжка лучше а лица каменные, ничего не поймёшь. Моё мнение!

[@francescafalconio79]

Brava!

[@andreydanilenko406]

Хорошо что только твоё.

[@annazaharov5727]

Сто процентов Согласна с каждым словом

[@marinakvaskov4674]

С Плисецкой сравнить никого невозможно.Богиня!

[@tableron]

Их не сравнивают. Их выбирают для себя и смотрят и нахваливают. Среди них нет лучших- они все были примами и все хороши по- своему. Ничего несравненного тут нет.

[@accendiilcervello8612]

А что тут сравнивать, при такой технике танца ее в кордебалет уже надо было оправлять, а не примой быть)))

[@jenylogan1]

A magical dancer, though to many she will seem old fashioned, ballet, like everything, has changed and evolved .

[@Judymontel]

Do you know where this was filmed? Is it in the US?

[@jcliff26]

Judith Montel Bolshoi Theater, Moscow.

[@Judymontel]

tnx

[@ivandamico93]

She was not allowed to travel outside of the USSR for 16 years, DESPITE being the Bolshoi's premier ballerina! She was on the cover of every Russian magazine and touted as a national treasure, as well as a sign of Russian superiority (I guess they forgot how well that worked for Germany) . Kruschev lifted the travel ban in the late 50's at the height of the cold war, many thought so operatives could gather information while traveling with a ballet company, and they were right, the operatives were stiff moving paranoid tourists amongst a troupe of graceful and elegant ballerinas, constantly being watched and used to it.

[@minissa2009]

@@ivandamico93 I did not know that. Very interesting. I think this compares with Vasiliev and Maximova, who were seen as the perfect Soviet couple on and off stage and were allowed out for this reason (going from memory here).

[@igorshnaidstein3498]

@@ivandamico93 the best

[@TravelWithTerahTX]

My gosh.....the arms! The arms! Almost superhuman!

[@interestingvideos4me]

I wonder if there were sounds coming from the jumps, like when they land on the floor. Was that accounted for? It seems those sounds contrast with the aura of the whole piece. Could anyone who knows about it answer please? Would there be a way to avoid those?

[@hermajesty52]

Great dancers train for years and years so they do not make noise landing.

[@Siren_Of_Summer]

​@@hermajesty52 there are only very few even the best who do not make noise. I've only noticed maya and alena who do not make noise.. .

[@extrasmooth8959]

can someone explain what is being played when? i get confused with the acts

[@user-bf3cp9vt2n]

Восхительная Браво

[@user-sd1yo5ge7r]

Bravo👏👏👏👏

[@yaelpalombo4093]

💖💖💐💐

[@eldamezs5930]

Cierto...élla fué.la Callas en el Ballet ...

[@ivett2005]

God bless u , He loves u

[@user-bl5qw6ie9h]

Довольно простенько.

[@Aft296]

Прямо скажем и не технично, во вращения так заваливается, носок не тянет, по сцене просто ходит, а как начнёт прыгать, так тушите свет, фуэте не крутит! Разрекламировали посредственность!

[@cbass2755]

Perfection….just beautiful…

[@alabudzisz264]

Ona żyje tym tańcem.

[@deniserembert7450]

Absolutely the greatest dancer. Wonderful version of Swan Lake. Never seen better. Is this on DVD?

[@ahones2255]

Yes it is, I have a copy published by VAI.

[@user-fs4ng2dh5t]

Богиня❤❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@louisepilon786]

very beautyful

[@submarine8815]

Танцует Майя Михайловна прекрасно, но какая-то большая она. Ноги-руки прям мощные, ух)

[@user-rr5fj9lw4y]

Да и не танцует она, а пляшет, и верно вы подметили мощная такая для балерины, но сколько восторгов в комментариях.

[@annazaharov5727]

Да,не худосочная,ножки ровные,женственные просто прелесть фигура. Современные балерины жилистые вешалки с кривыми длинными ногами вообще не впечатляют.

[@tableron]

+++ Коровистая она была. Не заслуженно превознесённая.

[@accendiilcervello8612]

@@annazaharov5727 Для женщины округлости форм -красиво, но для балерины лишний вес оборачивается тем, что нет легкости в танце, она натурально толстая, бедный Фадеечев)))

[@accendiilcervello8612]

@@user-rr5fj9lw4y У меня все время вопрос возникает, на фига Майя Михайловна пуанты надела, пальчики так бережет, ходит пешком по сцене, будто и в хореографическом училище не училась

[@simaraft7373]

I’ll leave this question that I’ve had for a long time here for Mr Clifford: do you have an explanation for the jutting forward of the chin that plisetskaya had? Ulanova had it too, even Makarova sometimes. A ballerina friend of mine thinks it has to do with raked stage. What do you think?

[@jcliff26]

Don't think it has anything to do with a raked stage. More a show of seriousness and determination.

[@simaraft7373]

Thanks. It’s so unattractive. Maybe it was a Soviet attitude thing!

[@gothamette]

I don't see a jutting forward chin, I see a head held completely erect. Melissa Hayden had it too. Honestly, of all the petty, nasty things someone can say about a ballerina. I am sick to death of it. And I'm going to call it for what it is: MISOGYNY.

[@jcliff26]

gothamette Never noticed it plus it doesn’t bother me at all.

[@dancinggiraffe6058]

Plisetskaya regularly did it in preparation for pique arabesque, for example. In "Plisetskaya Dances", she is shown being coached as Aurora by Semyonova (as I recall), who demonstrates Plisetskaya's habit and tells her not to do it. Plisetskaya nods, but then they show her still doing it in performance.

[@jolantamajcher9458]

2 maja 2024r rocznica śmierci Maii Plisieckiej byłaś radością widzow i bogactwem swiatowej kultury Bogu dzięki że bylas

[@user-te1hp4sf8m]

И прекрасно играет оркестр!, скрипка!!!

[@user-hz4rt1te8z]

Шедевр!!!!

[@etempleentedu6878]

❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@mariecherement3834]

How tall was she, and how much did she weigh? She is as solid as a rock, and strong, but not necessarily petite, a great dancer!