My Favorite Ballet Step: Awesome Double Assemblé

My favorite ballet step is a grand assemblé en tournant, more informally known as a double assemble, a notable step found in numerous male variations. The step can be a highlight of a variation when done well as the dancer slices through the air. As a dancer many years ago, I struggled with the step, often off kilter in the air, stumbling on landing. Given my less than successful experience with the step, I really tune in when I see guys excel with it on stage. This video provides a description of the double assemblé with top-notch examples that I can only dream of.
References
Videos
Mikhail Baryshnikov in Don Quixote: Mikhail Baryshnikov’s Don Quixote, Kultur DVD
Daniel Ulbricht in Flames of Paris: Flames of Paris Pas de Deux-Ashley Bouder & Daniel Ulbricht, ‪@Violet-pz9zp‬
Herman Cornejo in Diana and Actaeon: Diana and Actaeon
Iana Salenko and Herman Cornejo, ‪@vaganovaballetomane2364‬
Ballet Fails Compilation #2, ‪@DanceLineBallet‬
Herman Cornejo in Le Spectre de la Rose: Spectre De La Rose Cornejo and Reyes.mp4, ‪@HermanCornejo‬
Roberto Bolle in Giselle: Adolphe Adam Giselle, Art Hauz Musik DVD, 2005
Sergei Polunin in Don Quixote: Sergei Polunin/Erika Mirkirticheva-Don Quixote 5.07.2013, ‪@fiordililia3min19‬
Assemblé step: How to do an Assemblé/Ballet Basics, ‪@bycarolandariel7755‬
David Hallberg in Giselle: David Hallberg-Albrecht Variation-Bolshoi 2010, ‪@AtalantaBallet‬
Daniil Simkin in Giselle: Daniil Simkin 2020 - Albrecht Variation from Giselle, ‪@daniilsimkin‬
Mikhail Baryshnikov in The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker DVD, Kultur, 2012
Leonid Sarafanov in La Bayadère: Leonid Sarafanov in Kingdom of Shades, ‪@johnsonz.5069‬
Photos
Photo of Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, La Bayadère, The Kingdom of the Shades as staged for the Royal Ballet, 1963: Wikipedia under La Bayadère
Photo of Rudolf Nureyev in his dressing room at the Royal Ballet School, 1973 by Allan Warren: Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Photo of Herman Cornejo: notmydayjobphotography.com
Background Information
Celebrating the Legendary Nureyev Legacy, Anna Kisselgoff, The New York Times, June 27, 1988

[@peninahkitty]

Baryshnikov makes everything look effortless😊

[@MMMa3]

Thank you Kent ! I love how you describe details I otherwise wouldn't have noticed (not being a dancer myself). Like in this video pointing out Baryshnikov's headposition during the jump in Nutcracker. It can easily be overlooked but in slowmotion it shows indeed how this subtle gesture makes the whole variation more graceful (as you said so nice: 'in princely grace' )

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@williamglazier1242]

Fascinating. You make learning the terms entertaining and clear and Sensational examples

[@marilynsitaker4198]

Once again Kent you have enhanced my appreciation and viewing pleasure by breaking down a key step and illustrating it with clips of several great dancers executing the step with grace and superb technique. I'm grateful for your contributions to this ballet lover's education and appreciation of the science and art of the dance. Thank you so much!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@patricklennon5195]

The key is definitely keeping the first leg up and bringing the second leg to the first leg. These were all great examples of the step!

[@minissa2009]

Well, you've assembled (pun intended) videos of many of my favorite danseurs! I was amazed at Corneja going back and forth (twice) and swear he comes close to the entire 2 revolutions in 2 of them. Also found Polunin jaw-dropping in Don Q as he followed up not with a plain double tour but one with one leg in retiree. Thanks for this compilation and for putting in the sites where we could watch the full ballet or variation. You always reset the bar for my own knowledge of ballet.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@manuela8195]

As always great Video. Thank you so much. Greetings to you.

[@jspaingreene6350]

I deeply appreciate your content and commentary - thank you. Keep up the great work in 2023!!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@DanceLineBallet]

Interesting video! 💪🩰

[@brianboru1975]

Vladimir Shklyarov is an amazing danser and his series of double assembles in La Bayadere are thrilling. He and his wife, Maria Shrinkina, are my all time favorite Romeo and Juliet. Thank you for this video and for your always excellent content.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@chipsanders0822]

Another captivating video with amazingly technical and detailed narration. I’m always impressed. Kent never fails to deliver awesome content for ballet enthusiasts. Merry Christmas, Kent! #I❤🩰

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in Chip! Merry Christmas

[@Diane574]

I just love your videos! Thank you!

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Kent, I ADORE your videos. This was lovely.

[@mountfujieagle]

I wish I had the proper insights to tell which dancer performs the best assemblées. Best artistic, athletic, elegant or acrobatic assemblées? I don't know as I am not there yet, but thanks to each of your videos one of these days I will. Always great videos although the narration is a bit too fast at times. Thank you for sharing. Happy holidays.

[@gabrioxxx]

Thank you so much Kent for these precious uploads. It’ s fascinating hearing your accurate comments. Keep them coming, please! The great dancers that you have shown are awesome, but I love in particular Sarafanov’s elegance and ethereal appearance that make the extreme difficulty of his variations seem effortless.

[@andreavarga9418]

Your videos are just awesome! I learned a ton again, thank you!

[@arturolizana1812]

Sergei's assembles in nutcracker are awesome, check them out ;)

[@KentGBecker]

Will do. Thanks!

[@zacharymedved5057]

The double assemble is a lovely step but my cryptonite

[@KentGBecker]

Never my strength either. Tough step

[@Kelly-dg5xl]

The middle part of the Baryshnikov Nutcracker prince solo starting at 3:57 is similar to the middle part of the original 1892 Nutcracker Prince Coqueluche variation starting at 7:36! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHeoqJ6VlteSmJo

[@Qwerty-db1js]

hi. Is it possible for u to analyse Yuri Soloviev's dancing skills?

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for the suggestion. Several have suggested him. Will put it on my list. Thanks!