Top Fifteen Male Ballet Variations

Per request, here are my top fifteen male ballet variations! Let me know what you think! What would you change?
Order:
15. Paquita: Lucian Variation (Jose Martinez)
14. Satanella: Variation (Alexander Sergeyev)
13. The Nutcracker: Prince Variation (Matthew Golding)
12. Le Corsaire: Conrad Variation (Angel Corella)
11. Marco Spada: Variation (David Hallberg)
10. Swan Lake: Siegfried Variation (Angel Corella)
9. Le Corsaire: Slave Variation (Vyacheslav Lopatin)
8. La Bayadere: Solor Variation (Valdislav Lantratov)
7. Giselle: Albrecht Variation (Johan Kobborg)
6. The Sleeping Beauty: Prince Variation (Mathias Heymann)
5. Don Quixote: Basil Variation (Leonid Sarafanov)
4. La Sylphide: James Variation (Steven McRae)
3. Flames of Paris: Philippe Variation (Ivan Vasiliev)
2. Coppelia: Franz Variation (Vyacheslav Lopatin)
1. Don Quixote: Basil 'Cups' Variation (Mikhail Baryshnikov)

[@richardcleveland8549]

Fabulous, AB-so-LUTE-ly fabulous! Thank you for assembling this video with its amazing dancers. I can see why you saved Baryshnikov for last; his dancing was the epitome of male grace, strength, beauty and sheer, unassailable talent and technique. Bravo!

[@janetstrzelec521]

love them all, but Baryshnikov is the whole package. One of a kind❤️❤️

[@julianwaugh968]

I did see nureyev a few times , he was pretty good.

[@solomon8692]

Kimin Kim is better

[@anastasialenkova-molchalin5874]

@Solomon You really think KIMIN KIM is BETTER than BARYSHNIKOV?!?! I really hope you're not serious.

[@iraklem5619]

Все хороши, но Барышников вне конкуренции. Он идеален!)))

[@DavidFernandezChoreographer]

Each one of this dancers are awesome! What they do is amazing. All of them have their own style to approach their variations. I just love to see great dancers. Fantastic compilation❤ thanks. Love

[@amitsinghdhillon5095]

These performances on stage represent the pinnacle of human excellence.

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

There's nothing more beautiful in dance than classical ballet.

[@livelovedance1080]

matthew goldings variation was wow. The Jete at 3:46 was AMAZING. Baryshnikov is unreal- love him! I would have added Sergei Polunin. Especially Sergeis Le Corsairre variation

[@spruce8611]

I’m pretty sure they would’ve if he didn’t say that crap on Twitter

[@bradleyfifi9029]

Exact

[@amitsinghdhillon5095]

This is an extremely difficult routine to perform but these extremely handsome young adult men perform the art of ballet to brilliant perfection with such ease. I have always been fascinated by the elegance of performing male ballet artists who make watching ballet such a delicious treat for the senses. Ballet is the highest form of adult male performance and the absolute perfection makes this such a delight to watch and enjoy the ballet artists especially the male players.

[@balletbonnie01]

You saved the best for last!!! OMG. Lucky me I saw him dance with Gelsey!! I am old!

[@the.hot.button]

Ballet is one of the most beautiful forms of art.

[@WeneedmoreGodsinTshirts]

Agreed

[@elijahcoomes7640]

And hardest

[@millersimon6655]

And the most painfull

[@sawyerjordan224]

*the most

[@ikeameltdown8012]

I don't love it. I enjoy the beautiful men, though.

[@EmEnz1]

What a wonderful selection of variations.. and all clearly labelled. What a joy to watch. Thank you.

[@mudpiemudpie785]

I've always been a Barishnikov fan. He's precise, and quite a leaper.

[@georgeboehm9683]

Spectacular! Brings tears to my eyes.Corella in Le Corsaire breathtaking.

[@ellakaukonen8254]

Omg Ivan Vasiliev and MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV😭😭💖

[@moyrawoodward2291]

Agree - they shine

[@juliettewheal5041]

Absolutely. the two very best

[@doris6526]

Misha at the end, certanly, he's The Best!!!!!!

[@sidneyhamrick1830]

A STUNNING collection of videos! The dancers are exemplary. I loved this!! Please keep them coming, Ballet Girl! I’m with you on this! Another “ballet girl”!

[@atr46]

Барышников, конечно, на первом месте. Вячеслав Лопатин очень техничен: такие сложные прыжки выполняет, зависая, оттточенные движения, баланс держит великолепно, на уровне Барышникова. И Иван Васильев с его парящими, зависающими прыжками. Понравился отточенностью движений, балансом, вращениями Мэттиас Хофманн. И Сарафанов великолепен, видна прекрасная школа и техника.

[@lollylula6399]

Great to see Johan Kobborg there. He's my all time favourite male ballet dancer :)

[@angele810]

Baryshnikov dances while many others do acrobatics. I can hardly watch anyone else in DQ or Giselle (And Other dances, Prodigal son, etc.)

[@magorzatajakubczak8231]

I miss Nicolai Tsiskaridze here

[@venkateshsthanusubramanian5576]

Oh my goodness... They are all so very incredibly talented.. my jaw dropped and I screamed out loud... This is so beautiful... Thank you for the post❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@eliezerrabelo6727]

I love it, not to fan of Vassiliev but what a wonderful compilation of male variations and bailarinos. Next time you probably should do a compilation of 30....lol... for the nay sayers, do your own compilation if so unhappy you lazy bums! I want mooooooore, Misha could be just standing still like in Giselle and still be NUMBER 1.

[@marynoonan6111]

Leonid Sarafanov's smile is as beautiful as his technique. I hope he come to Oz ❤❤❤

[@olgamikhailova5279]

Misha is superb!! As he always was. Still, I'd add Godunov - his elegance was gorgeous, and Polunin too :)...

[@LA-ph2nc]

Agree!

[@ЛюбовПисаренко-я9е]

У полуніна очі божевільні.

[@TheGabiDumi]

Misha, pour toujours! ))

[@irene2231]

I have literally never been able to find proper words to describe Ángel Corella's dancing, for EVERY single role he interpreted, from Romeo, to Basil, Siegfried, Alì, Solor, and I will stop here because otherwise I would keep on mentioning all the male roles in ballet! His artistry and virtuosity... he just has to be loved and contemplated in all his heavenly glory 😅😍!!!

[@liyabuyagongo8770]

When you're clapping whooping alone to your computer....

[@lynnearlyriser]

Thank you for Leonid Sarafanov at #5.

[@elizzy8754]

Nine double tours and pirouettes at the end!

[@stephaniecruvant9130]

Wonderful choices! Deepest thanks for creating this montage.

[@lesandres23]

Number 6 was out of this world!

[@иринаисса-л2д]

3.28...Грандиозно...прекрасный танцовщик.. Браво!!!!!

[@lgomez3268]

Awesome!! great dancers. I think I'd include 'Pas Classique' in the list, with Nicolas Le Riche.

[@machazychaz]

We could see defined cheeks in thighs all the time but I still gasped when the kilt flared 😂

[@howarddeangelis384]

Now that's dancing! Totally in awe.

[@superbill1752]

What great athletes ! Such beauty and strength. Thanks.

[@marycron3315]

No words can describe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Jude74]

Thank you for making this, its wonderful!

[@roccodepalma9734]

Grazie per questo bel video.

[@wagakokoro0524]

あまりにも凄すぎて、開いた口が塞がらない❗️凄い動画を、有り難う‼️

[@misscameroon8062]

Thank you for posting these exciting artists

[@GilaKatz-Kfir-ip7ue]

Yes, I do too! He is absolutely amazing!

[@bellini7verdi]

nadie como corella.......................verlo bailar............es un enorme placer..............................los demas...............alla ellos..............y ustedes tambien...................pero angel es un angel.................el preciosismo perfecto......en todos los sentidos......................

[@whataboutredlorry]

God the elevation these guys get is just phenomenal.

[@BytomGirl]

For Albrecht variations I would have chosen Nikolai Tsiskaridze, he was amazing in Giselle. I am not sure why you didn't choose any of his, many of these were so much better performed by him. Here Baryshnikov was the best, perfection.

[@KSfan4ever]

I absolutely agree!! For me, no dancer can compare to the physical beauty, emotionality, athleticism, and floating leaps of the great Tsiskaridze. In the current day, Vadim Muntagirov comes close.

[@josephcollins6033]

Learning so much from you!

[@liamjackson.J]

le corsaire and don Quijote are the best two in my opinion but they are all good I love the variations

[@lucila5466]

Why are male variations so much more exciting than female ones tho

[@soothingmeditationsmusic]

because acrobatics turned into art

[@bennytheking8777]

Power with Grace!!

[@shockwave1126]

Ikr? I usually FF to see the male soloists. Luckily this video isolated it for me.

[@hrh4961]

Males are not restricted by pointe shoes.

[@Jerrycox1]

Mathias Heymann is hands down thee best!

[@patricianicholls4020]

So light on his feet!

[@bellini7verdi]

baryshnikov.............un dios.....................................corella................es el principe..........................una lujuria emocional del movimiento artistico y estetico lleno de bravura.........juventud y hermosura.............con toda la atmosfera sincera de su arte en movimiento......................sin pretenciones...y por eso mismo es el mejor................de ejecucion maravillosamente perfecta.y em ocionalmente.................hace hasta llorar de gusto...............

[@marianeira9160]

Maravilloso... Muchas bendiciones al Gran Bailarin💜💜💜🔔🔔🔔💐💐💐

[@ilfranchi]

wonderful compilation. I woulf have preferred a second of pause between a variation and the other

[@screech5325]

I should be practicing my solo. What am I doing here. But oh they all make it look so easy. So gorgeous.

[@marlenenascimento8495]

belíssimo, lindo, perfeito.

[@giselahumpert8449]

Bravissimo!!

[@xjoy1163]

lol but in all seriousness. I love 9.slave variation. its charming. very high energy which I love.

[@gisellefogaca2721]

True dancers!

[@magaliesterbolomeyotth3709]

Gracias,me encanta

[@francoislebon-schneider1550]

Baryshnikov is placed correctly but ugh... where is Rudolf Nureyev?

[@SuperBalletgirl101]

This is a list of variations, not dancers!

[@maryrosedouglasuk]

@M Lloyd I agree. I have never seen any dancer, male or female, to compare with Nureyev. His personality and passion filled the stage.

[@walentyn]

Where is Nikolai Tsiskaridze :)

[@hrh4961]

@@walentyn Teaching the next generation at Vaganova. The videos of him here at YT are stunning.

[@blktauna]

lol There can be only Mischa!

[@oana-mariasava7745]

Thank you!

[@poursuivant1]

Proverbial mike(goblet) drop.

[@georgiairving1234]

*Gravity has left the chat*

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Grande impadronimento.dello spazio proscenico da parte di tutti i ballerini con falcate amplissime e sforbiciate volanti trasverse unite a seguire da torsioni in volo direi imperative.Veramente molto bravi Tutti gli agenti in proscenio.Bighin GIULIO RENZO

[@balletbonnie01]

Ohh Angel! I saw SL while it was being taped for dvd!

[@joelsteinhauser3609]

No one does the solo of Marco Spada better than David Hallberg.

[@fouette83]

Great list, but in my heart there's only one Solor: Laurent Hilaire

[@isabelsantos8424]

Maravilloso, gracias por subir el video.

[@peace-now]

I thought we were comparing variations, not individual dancers. For me, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, La Bayadere and of course, Don Quixote (Basil Variation) are standouts. Barysnikov is good, but we are not commenting on dancers, are we.

[@marujaaparicio1009]

Buena selecciòn, pero...falta Carlos Acosta a quien nadie, salvo Shklyarov, gana en La Bayadera sobre todo en la coda

[@blumenlieder]

Um mais terrível que o outro, uma facada atras da outra em meu peito. Melhor eu techar os olhos ou irei morrer de tanta beleza 😵🫣

[@Adagietto66]

Where was Nikolaï Tsiskaridze ???

[@damexipino]

Hello? Carlos Acosta? Come on...any variation!!!

[@fabiennefertiti3017]

Don't wait for it cause sadly it seems she only watches Caucasian or european dancers, so unfortunately no Carlos Acosta, José Manuel Carreño, Rolando Sarabia, Romel Frómeta, Taras Domitro, Osiel Gouneo etc etc etc

[@oldim903]

And Tsitskaridze

[@miguelaltunagajr6379]

You Missed Carlos Acosta!!!!! How dare You !!HAAHA

[@dongjinlee2049]

Miguelito Miguelito actyon...yeah

[@ohdeararat7947]

Eighteen years old and wishing I could have started...

[@spruce8611]

YOU STILL CAN GET ON IT!!

[@ohdeararat7947]

@@spruce8611 I deeply appreciate the comment, but I have since learned of what ballet can do to your body.

[@liciniadacruzoliveira9369]

Kobborg

[@ramonachirita4033]

I don t want to upset someone but when King Barysnikov started to dance everything was over

[@raccoonvalleycentreforthea2912]

Please do yourself a favor and watch Fernando Bujones. The first American to ever win a gold medal in Soviet territory in direct competition with Soviets (athletes or artists).

[@ramonachirita4033]

@@raccoonvalleycentreforthea2912 Don’worry!I did it before your recommendation! I don’t think it’s accidental this video,with great dancers, it ends with Maestro Barysnikov!You do nor believe?

[@JonathonLevy]

Then you are a novice balletomane. Misha was a great dancer, however if he would have never defected he would have never been more than a soloist in the Soviet system because regardless of his impeccable technique he was a demi-character body-type according to the Soviet concept of ballet, therefore he defected and became a phenom mostly because the training in the West at that time was not as dynamic as that of the Soviet-Vaganova school system... you've probably never heard of Chabkiyani, or Solviev, or Kamaletdinov, or for that matter the Danes who could/can dance circles around the Russians, Bruhn, Martins, Andersen, Schauffus, Lavery... the Cubans, yet they used the Soviet-Vaganova system, etc...

[@ramonachirita4033]

@@JonathonLevy His luck was that he found the strengh to defected and he became what he was

[@angele810]

@@JonathonLevy he was already a principal at the Kirov and a star there - what’s your beef? There, he already danced classique/noble roles (Albrecht for ex.). Also the Danes could not circles around the Russians - very different styles.

[@martinetti123]

Great, THX!

[@jiromarc7873]

As in ranked top 15 according to difficulty and grace of execution with the top 1 as being the best? If that were the case, i feel so bad for the others as, to me, they did an excellent job as well. Then again, i'm not a dancer.

[@spruce8611]

Nobody dances to surpass others but themselves- somebody but I can’t remember

[@angele810]

@@spruce8611 Baryshnikov

[@bbatjargal1549]

When it comes to ballet, Russia is in its own league. The entire world is trying to catch the Russians but no avail. May be French - the Parisian school is close to the Russian school - the school of Great Vaganova!

[@JonathonLevy]

Then you obviously have never seen the Royal Danish Ballet.

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@JonathonLevy Yes, I have never ever seen the Danish Ballet because I regard it as second rate and it is not worth watching it. I am spoiled by watching the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow and the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg! I have seen several ballets in the Covent Garden (The Royal Ballet), the London Coliseum (The English National Ballet) and the Paris Opera. They were great. However, all the female primas, first soloists and male soloist dancers of the Soviet/ Russian Origin, Zaharova, Lunkina, Tereshkina, Polunin, Sokolov. There was no single soloist of the Western origin. I heard occasionally; some Cubans were great. But they are again the products of the Russian School of Ballet which produced Vaganova, Pavlova, Nijinsky, Ulanova, Semenova, Plisetskaya, Nuriev, Makarova, Maksimova, Vasil'ev, Vladimir, Lopatkina, Dudinskaya and other great stars in the world ballet history!

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@JonathonLevy No one can catch the Russians in terms of ballet. It is their national and genetic strength!

[@JonathonLevy]

@@bbatjargal1549 to each his own, however it is an Art form, not a competitive sport. The finesse of the Danish technique is applicable to any/all body types, & unlike the Soviet/Russian system produces dancers of quality regardless of their physical parameters. Bruhn, considered technically perfect by Nureyev, then there's Martins, Schauffus, Kobborg, Anderson, Lavrey... the Danish technique is closest to the original French tradition. I was trained in both Bournonville & Vaganova, my Russian teacher was Mansur Kamaletdinov (who coached Vasliev at the Bolshoi)... perhaps u should watch the RDB dance the ballet Études, where the entire corps de ballet perform steps usually resevered for solo & principal variations... the idea that one company is "better" than another can be a subjective opinion, yet there are also objective qualities & standard criteria for applying competency in the Art. I would also mention La Scala Ballet in the category of POB, RDB, Perm State Ballet, Kirov/Marinsky, Bolshoi, Kyiv Ballet (before the War), Royal, etc... I would also say several from the Americas, each company has a unique character, certain qualities are superior in one over another, & certain qualities are comparable. The corps work at Perm is impeccable, so also at POB, & RDB... I, having danced professionally have a particular insight regarding what criteria is more important in determining a critic of either a company or an individual dancer... appreciate the response. Be Well.

[@balletbonnie01]

Your selections are awesome however I do not agree with your choice of Matthew Golding.

[@SuperBalletgirl101]

Hello, this is a compilation based on the variation, not the dancer.

[@magorzatajakubczak8231]

А причем здесь Николай Цискаридзе, Владимир Васильев, ведь никто из тех танцоров, кроме Барышникова, встречаются вы измеряете, не вырастает до пятого, потому что Иван Васильев, например, не умеет танцевать, но умеет прыгать, это не танец

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

Corrella does the most with the least with the best esthetics.

[@RubyLeeFilmsAndMedia]

This was in my recommended

[@lauragarcia525]

I would like to see Isaac Hernández here!

[@liamjackson.J]

i love dence

[@Eclecticapricot]

apparently they haven't missed any leg days lmao

[@raccoonvalleycentreforthea2912]

Ok so what is the criteria for calling these variations “the top 15” ?? Have u ever seen The Golden Idol variation from La Bayadere? What about William Tell? Or the variation that Chabukiyani did when he danced Raymonda? If this is about difficulty the there are Bournonville variations that require such finesse that most companies don’t perform the ballets that those variations are from, let alone turn them into divertissement. Baryshnikov seems to be popular (he was a great dancer) however there were others from that same period who were beyond what Misha was artistically and technically, for instance Fernando Bujones, Vladimir Vasiliev, Patrick DuPont, Kennet Oberly, LI Cuxin, Peter Martins, Ib Andersen, Etc… are we comparing dancers or variations? Are we evaluating dancers against the standards of classical ballet or just spectical? What about Erik Bruhn ? Every dancer who achieved the status of principal or for that matter soloist in companies of renown should be appreciated after all that’s what makes it Art because it wasn’t about competition it was about expression and competency in movement. Thx.

[@angele810]

Martins, Andersen, Cuxin, Dupont, etc. Were beyond what Baryshnikov was artistically and technically???? That is an outrageous statement.

[@JonathonLevy]

Did you ever dance classic ballet professionally? Again, what is your criteria? Bujones won the first gold medal by an American in Soviet territory at Varna IBC 74, along with The Highest Technical Achievement Award previously only iven to Soviet dancer Valdimir Vasiliev, 1969. Martins was technical perfection, & was considered one of the best partners, one of the best since Bruhn... Misha was a great dancer, never said he was not, he was a demi-character dancer with impeccable technique and his defection to the West was monumental to advancing male training in the West, had he stayed in USSR he would have only danced demi-character roles becuz of Soviet system.

[@КириллБгашев]

Самый, Самый Прекрасный, Николай Максимович, сравнить его не с кем,!

[@АлександрЗаваров-е1ы]

Каким это боком. Цискаридзе не виртуоз, у него всегда с пируэтами проблемы были, впрочем как и у Нуриева. Они ту лишние.

[@kavuj99]

What about Wes Chapman??? ABT

[@JonathonLevy]

Or Ted Kivitt, ABT, or Fernando Bujones, or NYCB/RDB Peter Martins..... and many others!

[@florence-k1z7j]

00:57

[@kiksocks12]

The Corsaire Variation is Ali the slave not Conrad, fyi

[@firstchoice7761]

Why did you leave Sergi Polunin out???

[@maracmallen]

Faltan Sarabia, los dos Carreño, Acosta, Rodkin y Polunin y, francamente, no sé qué pinta en un top 10 Martíne

[@julenvalverde]

angel corella is doing ali's variation not conrad's one

[@TheDivayenta]

Osiel Gouneo ! Acteon Variation.

[@celiabonadies5667]

It's not just that Barishnikov's technique is dazzling here, his acting cannot be beaten. He completely embodies the character, who thoroughly enjoys being himself!

[@ozsfi]

Right, I much prefer Barishnikov to Nureyev.

[@somekindofflower2024]

@@ozsfi same

[@juliettewheal5041]

Youre absolutely right.

[@DonnaMcMasterRiver]

Yes, exactly what I was thinking. I love watching classical ballet, especially the men’s solos, but so often it is just spin, leap, pose, or leap leap pose, .... If the dancer can’t give us a taste of who the character is, it’s beautiful but a bit hollow. I can understand why Baryshnikov migrated to modern dance and theatre over the years.

[@alexpond648]

Yes, that is exactly, what the others are lacking. It's often like watching a sports event with classical music. They're perfect athlets and their technique might be perfect, but Baryshnikov has it all.

[@wenjessi]

I am totally speechless, Baryshnikov must descent from heaven.

Barishnikov is the first, the one for everything!!!!!!😍

[@Taranberk2]

I smiled watching the video until the end. Anyone else get tears watching Baryshnikov? He’s in another universe.

[@valmacclinchy]

Absolutely 💖

[@ericarougelazarus9453]

I can not get over how perfect he is. His technique, his presence on stage, his total control over his body... I could watch him dance forever

[@NYJason]

WOW 😳 they all are amazing…. Ivan Vasiliev, his jumps were so high, never lost the technique and form on the air plus the drama. No dough that Baryshnikov is one special creature with extraordinary skills

[@annagi344]

I m sorry i dont like vasiliev he is dirty no fifth position no second , anything. No elegance, no thanks

[@NanaPigal-789]

​@@annagi344Ivan is powerful, energetic, sexy, his temper makes me dizzy!

[@chromatetrix3581]

@@annagi344totally right with you, vasiliev is more like a gymanstic than a dancer

[@Jack__11]

​@@NanaPigal-789totally agree omg

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

The house went wild with Barishnikov, no wonder!