Vadim Muntagirov: Sizzling Don Quixote Variation

Vadim Muntagirov of The Royal Ballet posted a video on Instagram of his Don Quixote variation from October 2023 in his Guest Artist appearance for Joberg Ballet in Johannesburg. Vadim’s solo is a stellar combination of technical prowess and athleticism, filled with stunning leaps and turns. He has several steps that are rare combined with effective dramatic nuances as he portrays the self-assured Basilio. Stay tuned as I analyze this top-notch Don Quixote variation that hits all the buttons for ballet fans.
Thanks to Stephen Nelson for many helpful comments.
Video Sources
Don Quixote: / czbbx60maxk
Swan Lake: @RoyalOperaHouse • Swan Lake - Prince Sie...
Dance of the Blessed Spirits: @RoyalOperaHouse • Frederick Ashton's 'Da...
Nutcracker: @RoyalOperaHouse • The Nutcracker - Sugar...
Photo in Don Quixote: Tristram Kenton
Glossary of Steps
Terms generally from Gail Grant, Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet
Double Cabriole Derriére: A step in which the legs are beaten two times in the air to the rear.
Double Tour en l’air: Two turns in the air off of two feet. Mostly performed by men.
Pirouette En dehors, turning on one leg, outward on left leg, clockwise.
Retiré: A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position en l’air with the knee bent so that the pointed toe rests in front of, behind or to the side of the supporting knee. Also referred to as Passé.
Saut de Basque: A traveling step in which the dancer turns in the air (1-3 turns) with one foot drawn up to the knee of the other leg. The left leg brushes in the air with take off from the right; the right leg goes to retiré, then landing on the left leg.

[@carolenewman2234]

You've nailed why Vadim is simply best in the world.

[@ntricker]

I’m in the lucky position of being able to see Vadim live on a regular basis and he is always phenomenal. I’ve seen him dance this variation live several times (most recently last month), and it is even better live! The height of his jumps is mind blowing when you are seeing them in front of you and his landings are almost soundless. His technique and presence is astonishing and all performed with such seeming ease and not a hint of ego or “showing off.” People all have their favourites but as well as stunning technique Vadim has a pure grace and ease and elegance that is unique amongst male dancers.

[@KentGBecker]

Lucky you! I have never seen him live. Hopefully he will come to NY sometime.

[@Arkangel49]

You are so fortunate to see Vadim Live! I would love to.

[@Missfrankiecat]

Thanks for slowing down this sequence and isolating the steps - it was very illuminating. We are so lucky to see him so regularly in London, most recently in this role with Nunez earlier this month. I saw Baryshnikov in his later career dance Basilio and up till Vadim he was my favourite. But Vadim is sublime. His work looks so effortless, his lines so clean, and his partnering so sympathetic.

[@KentGBecker]

Great that you could see Vadim and Baryshnikov. I've never seen either one in person. I guess that's why I do videos on them.

[@ЛесяЛат]

Талантливейший, выдающийся танцовщик, всё гармонично, точно, на самом высоком уровне, прекрасно владеет поворотами головы, не знаю как правильно это назвать, очень выразительный, совершенный танец .

[@renater.540]

Superb, awesome, stunning - I'm running out of words to appreciate his skiĺls. A simple, single "like" is not sufficient for his achievements. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💐

[@ninaghiggini7686]

Thank you for your welcomed addition to Vadims Don Q solo what a brilliant Basilio he is as well as his phenomenal technique he brings grace and elegance and joy to see him dance live is incredible also he has the gift of making it all look effortless 😍🤩❤️

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks! I wish that I could see him live in NY.

[@gonefishing167]

He is absolutely superb! Marvellous Basilio. And thanks for the shots of Barishnikov, double whammy for us there. Thank you so much 🩰🩰🩰🩰🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

[@josefinavegaarguelles4620]

Il est un vrai artiste avec l' incomparable technique des russes. J' ai beaucoup aimée. MBA Josefina Vega Argūelles

[@larisa455]

Прекрасный танцовщик. Но... Кто-то технически оснащенные, кто-то с прекрасными ногами, высокими полезными прыжками и прочее,прочее. Но ни у кого нет магии,грации,мужественности и эмоциональной насыщенности Полунина

[@pekieboo]

Thank you so much, more Vadim please!

[@mountfujieagle]

Wow! Yet another amazing and instructive video. I appreciate your insights. Thank you very much Kent.

[@chipsanders0822]

Thank you, Kent. Another great commentary. #I❤🩰

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks Chip!

[@JohnSmith-gf6jt]

I've recently developed more of an interest in ballet, and your videos have been my favorite to watch - I love how clearly you break down what dancers are doing using slow motion and screenshots.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@DavidAsset78]

I've never seen anyone else do the splits in the air in this Variation. It's wonderful! My favorites in this role have always been Angel Corella and Julio Bocca, but i must admit that this variation by Muntagriov is explosive and thrilling.

[@ritawing1064]

100%, Corella is the ultimate for me, followed by Bocca, but Muntagirov is wonderful, one of my favourite dancers for his musicianship and matchless partnering, too.

[@Marta44339]

Thanks for another terrific and informative video. Vadim is wonderful. I've never seen him live but still hoping. Great musicality and his technique is impeccable.

[@kismypencek6185]

My response was 'jesus' to that jump and again to those double-doubles!!! His skillz are fluid, confident, steadfast, and gene leap in the height he seems to reach. Looks effortless. Gift to the craft indeed. I would love to see what Mikhail's tickle/smile looks like when he watches him. I do love Mikhail's en dehor turns though!!! Thanks so much for slowing it down and explaining it!❤❤❤

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning it!

[@МотяМотя-у6я]

Отличный танцовщик 🎉 люблю его инстаграм ❤

[@ЗинаидаМунтагирова]

Вадик! Радость и любовь моя! Обожаю тебя!❤

[@kathleenoneill7414]

I love your thorough videos. Great job! ❤

[@antoniomartinazzo5847]

This is one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@Anton-n2j]

Превосходно ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@nicolehourcade]

His technique is breathtaking from the beginning inLausanne in 2006, he was a young slim boy like asparagus so shy and so giftet💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💥💥💥💥

[@juliehodkinson8367]

Wonderful thankyou to you both

[@chriswickarts]

Your breakdowns are wonderful!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@serenashaw-q3y]

Vadim is breathtaking, and simply the very best. And such a nice person too. I do love Acosta's own version of Don Quixote choreography for the RB, it is so vivacious; full of fun and character; he and Nela put so much spirit into their unique partnership. Who coached Vadim? Carlos Acosta! Who danced with Vadim: Nela! My three top dancers; and all three, charming, good natured, with a sense humour. Just perfect.

[@KentGBecker]

Did not know that Acosta coached Vadim. Thanks!

[@sweetkitty3249]

Sorry, but I can't pick a favorite dancer. They're all so talented & beautiful!

[@robertmcnamara5407]

He is definitely one of my favourites.

[@josephcollins6033]

Damn! I LOVED this! Thanks very much. It was really helpful. Bravo to YOU!!! I have subscribed.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@zacharymedved5057]

Thank you for yet another great video! I've been told that that first step is called saut de bahsk saut de chat. But great video once again. Me personally my favourite Don Quixote Basilio variation will always be Shale Wagman's the perfection in his musicality and the way he builds tension through the music is spectacular all whilst demonstrating exceptional technique and a winner's look. Would also love you to look at Vadim's and Polunin's nutcrackers because they both have a high degree of control throughout the duration of their jumps which I find very appealing to watch. Both in the tours, Polunin specifically in the double assombles and Vadim specifically in the grand jete's en tournon. They both dance that variation so collected and calm that the audience is never stressed because their presence let's the audience know that they're in complete control and they never throw themselves into any movements which is awfully difficult considering the complexity of them.

[@KentGBecker]

Interesting that some call it a saut de basque saut de chat. Probably other names for it. Thanks for the suggestion on Nutcracker. Will put it on my list for next year.

[@Balletworld]

Finally new video!

[@KentGBecker]

The guy that runs this channel is really slow

[@elainecox7058]

Let’s face it, they don’t call him Vadream for nothing 😂😂❤❤❤❤❤. I have been lucky to see him quite a few times at the ROH and he never disappoints. I have seen this variation on Vadim’s Instagram page but it’s great to have it slowed down like this. Thank you 👏👏

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks! I wish he would dance more in the US. I have never seen him live.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Kent, I ❤ your videos!!!

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks!

[@santos8387]

do a vídeo about sergei polunin please love your work

[@Anton-n2j]

И сравни его с пиарщиком Цискаридзе 😊

[@katiefulton9456]

This is an a solid & absolutely superb performance: it seems he felt he could let loose & stylize the choreography & truly make it his own. Very reminiscent of (the overwhelmingly underrated: Taras Domitro, formerly of San Francisco Ballet, whose split saut de basque & his many stylized Cuban-training (under Alicia Alonso), splits often surpass 180° - & are truly legendary…many of his solos feature a variation of split leaps, given their unique impressive range; many overwhelming exciting jumps of equal gusto to rival any of the greats. I’d love to see a video of any of Taras Domitro’s videos/roles…he even has a spectacular video of this “DQ” solo/variation uploaded onto KZbin, featuring his unprecedented talent. Not to mention that of his beautiful partner, wife & mother of their beautiful baby boy; the stunning & renowned 🩰 ballet dancer Adiarys Almeida (*I have to note after meeting both during their visit to a local ballet school, dancing in our local Nutcracker as Principal Guest Artists, they are both equally warm & kind as they are talented. (Currently: both Directors of Hollywood Ballet Academy) But primarily for this post: Taras Domitro himself: I adore his talent and him as a kind individual, and though I myself am a female ballet dancer🩰, I wish to give Domitro more of a boost within the male-ballet dancing community, as it’s deserved.

[@KentGBecker]

Thanks for the info on Taras, will check him out. Sounds impressive.

[@gcubegaming2756]

2:38 here you refer to this as a variation on a saut de basque; but why wouldn't it simply be a jeté cloché en tournant? Or what distinguishes the two, if I'm wrong?

[@KentGBecker]

I have a video on jeté cloché en tournant: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5K5nqeNpc6NjaM. The difference is that in the cloché, the legs swing like a bell and change like a switch kick. None of that action takes place in the saut de basque where a split is inserted into the regular saut de basque. Hope this helps.

[@avasgranb1]

Very slowed down music during the performance

[@gwenfranco8905]

Yes fantastic but could the commentator try to use the French terms with respect t to the French language...thank you for sharing though...

[@ileanamuntean7338]

Great but it's a shame you had to use AI voice.