Biography of Alexei Ratmansky to be published

[bridiem]

A biography of Alexei Ratmansky (The Boy from Kyiv - Alexei Ratmansky's Life in Ballet) by Marina Harss is due out on 3 Oct 2023, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

[Bruce Wall]

Very much look forward to that.  His Namoura was a triumph last night at NYCB as are so many of his works made for this Company which itself proudly continues to delight and grow within the concerted focus of the balletic idiom itself.  Pictures at an Exhibition (now in the rep of so many major Companies whose focus is on ballet) and Odessa (to be revived again by NYCB in next Winter's season) are exemplars of his craft as are his first major work for NYCB, Russian Seasons and certainly his Concerto DSCH.  All this is topped off by the impact of Voices - which the more I see it the more I enjoy and respect the enormous diversity of his gifts.  Whilst they are so different from the magnificence of the Royal's core McGregor, one so very suited to the Royal's contemporary strength - both men hold a very distinctive voice - one uniquely their own that mark them out.  They just come from opposite ends of the dance spectrum.  This is most clear when you look how each company is primed towards its communal movements.  The world is enriched by these opposites.  

What a magnificent work the hour-long Namouna is - now too a goodly number of years old - yet still witty and ever enlarging in its scope being one filled with humane passion.  Nadon (in her debut), Stanley,  Ulbrecht (that lad truly defies time), the extraordinary Emma von Enyk (who had attended the RBS prior to transferring to SAB) and Phelan were all dazzling in their charges much as the effervescent Woodward and Joe Gordon - now surely one of the world's great classical dancers oh, so noble - were together and apart stunning in their depiction of Balanchine's insouciant La Source.  The whole evening shone, say, the way a quality performance of La Fille Mal Gardee might.  The very air bubbled with delight; one buoyed by the NYCB's fervent orchestra in their insightful playing of Lalo's theatrically piquant score.  Saw a rehearsal in the afternoon of the same and it was glorious to see Ratmansky working with his uniquely willing charges and their unmitigated respect in his hands.  Both were truly joyous happenings.  I so look forward to his new NYCB ballets, one each year for at least the next five years.  

 

Edited April 26, 2023 by Bruce Wall

[Shade]

I look forward to the book release. In my opinion Mr Ratmansky is the only classical ballet choreographer currently working for a major company.

 

The NYCB productions sound very exciting.