The Stage

Homage to Balanchine

Published Friday 14 August 2009 at 12:30 by Gavin Roebuck

Serenade, the first ballet Balanchine created in America, is a neo-classical work saturated in romanticism.

The dancers although glorious, are a tad restrained so the company seems to have lost some of its elegant magic in this work from previous showings. Ekaterina Kondaurova with Daniil Korsuntsev and Yulianna Chereshkevich are a delight with speedy joyous fluid movements.

With expressive richness, Rubies from Jewels is full of Stravinsky’s jazzy modernism suggestive of an energetic, sharp, showbusiness style. Although Denis Matvienko and Irina Golub shine, the work seems to lack the real spiky, speedy edge we get from the Royal Ballet - it is too tame. Ludmila Sveshnikova thrillingly plays the piano solo.

The four movement Symphony in C by Bizet is based on the music rather than any narrative. It is full of exquisitely configured choreography. With a sense of line a touch more elegant than any other company, the dancers, who now are accustomed to the fast velocity of Balanchine without loosing any poise, end the programme on a high. Alina Somova, Ekaterina Kondaurova and Evgenia Obraztsova are more sparkling than the interval champagne. It is also a treat to have Pavel Bubelnikov conduct the orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre.