Vladimir Vasiliev: God of the Dance

Vladimir Vasiliev was a legendary Soviet-era dancer, one of the most influential dancers of the 20th Century. Although not as well known as Mikhail Baryshnikov or Rudolf Nureyev in the West, many critics considered Vasiliev their equal. Vasiliev made significant contributions to the development of males in ballet, and he embodied the strength of the Bolshoi men. He inspired younger dancers such as American Ballet Theatre’s Herman Cornejo and Paris Opera Ballet’s Mathias Heymann. Russian choreographer Fyodor Lopukhov called Vasiliev “God of the dance.” In this video, I focus on two of his variations to shed some light on what made him a one-of-a-kind artist.

Thanks to Stephen Nelson for many helpful comments.

Sources

Videos
Angel Corella Don Quixote pirouettes, American Ballet Theatre Now, 2002, Image Entertainment
Mikhail Baryshnikov, The Turning Point, Anchor Bay, 2005

Photos
Vasiliev Spartacus thumbnail, Bolshoi Theatre website
Vasiliev photo in studio, ITAR-TASS News Agency/Almay Stock Photo
Vasiliev as a student, 3 photos, Melmoth blog
Maximova and Vasiliev as students, 2 photos, Melmoth blog
Baryshnikov in Giselle, Chicago, 1978, Vladimir Bliokh
Maximova and Vasiliev, Wikimedia Commons, July 28, 1964, Stoyan Lefedzhiev
Maximova and Vasilyev, Don Quixote, Bolshoi Theater, Wikipedia, RIA Novosti archive, image #503726/G. Soloviov/CC-BY-SA 3.0
Vasiliev in studio, November 10, 1972, Wikipedia, Dutch National Archives
Bolshoi Theater at Night, Wikipedia, Dmitriy Guryanov
Bolshoi Theater A Quadriga sculptured by Peter Clodt von Jürgensburg, Moscow, A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons
Maximova and Vasiliev, June 29, 2008, ZUMA Press Inc./Almay Stock Photo
Vasiliev at Fireworks of Talents Choreography, October 8, 2018, St. Petersburg, Russia, Lilyana Vynogradova/Almay Stock Photo
Spartacus’ Death, Hermann Vogel, 1882, Wikipedia, United States Public Domain
Spartacus Slave Revolt in the Final Battle Crassus Defeats the Slaves and Spartacus is Killed, Nicola Sanesi, before 1889, Wikipedia, United States Public Domain
Spartacus statue by Denis Foyatier at the Louvre museum, Wikipedia
Aram Khachaturian, September 27, 1971, Wikipedia, Mieremet, Rob/Anefo
Maris Liepa in Spartacus, March 1, 1962, ITAR-TASS News Agency/Almay Stock Photo
Vasiliev, Spartacus, London Coliseum, June 10, 1974, Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Almay Stock Photo
Vasiliev, Spartacus, April 8, 1968, ITAR-TASS News Agency/Almay Stock Photo

Bio Information
Wikipedia-“Vladimir Vasiliev”
Quotes from Baryshnikov, Vasiliev on Maximova’s death, Vasiliev on appearing taller on stage-Wendy Perron, Dance Matters, Dance Magazine, July 26, 2010
Simon Morrison, Bolshoi Confidential, W.W. Norton & Co., 2016
For ballet lovers only, Interview with Vladimir Vasiliev, London 16 March 2002

[tiggywinkle]

I don’t thinkI have ever seen a male dancer to equal Vladimir Vasiliev. He is
outstanding technically and artistically and his partnership with Katia was
wonderful. I wish I could have thanked him for the pleasure he and his lovely
wife have given me on video. Oh to have seen them live! Maris Liepa was a terrific actor dancer too and great with Vasiliev in Spartacus. Thank you for this.🌹🇬🇧

[pediatrapaola]

l saw live in 72 him in spartak here in italy in la scala l was 18 then and vasiliev 32 he was superman, also saw him many times in BALLET SUMMER FESTIVAL IN NERVI where he was guest every year and did more times DON Q and CORSAIRE pdd with maximova .also saw him in giselle with our fracci and with maximova, he really was the GOD OF THE DANCE

[ayseal]

Him, and his wife Ekaterina Maximova were a dreamy couple!

[voxpopuli]

I saw him do Spartacus with the Bolshoi in New Orleans in 1975. UNFORGETTABLE. I saw he and Maximova and company in Houston in 1991.

[elizzy]

I echo the opinion of LookNoFurther. I am happy you included the short clip of Maximova: she and Vasiliev are indissociable.

[sitarnut]

It's barely possible to thank you enough for this bliss of Ballet. What a dreamy couple they suspect so many of us wish we could have seen him perform.

[kathryngraves]

Golden. Russian ballet in the 20th century 💗

[alainspiteri]

Bolchoi was Palais des Congrès-Paris 1985 j remember very well Ludmilla Semeniaka in Spartacus , Vassiliev of course was ; j saw in 1975 Don-Quichotte pdd with Pontois-Barychnikov at Paris-Opera but here j remember more Noella Pontois with a top of lightness in virtuosity than Michael Barychnikov so technic is not always the best for a male Dancer ; V Vassiliev of course is a legend of the Danse

[theonecounttheonecount]

Incredible inside turns. Very unusual to be better at en de dans turns. They're so difficult. Turning from second position is awkward. He was better at turning to the right, which is not unusual. Incredible control.

[mountfujieagle]

thanks Kent. always a pleasure getting educated by your well researched and narrated videos.

[lizlocher]

I have never been privileged to see Vladimir Vasiliev perform as I came into the Ballet 🩰 scene in the late 1970's, after he had been forced to retire!!! What a mistake they made!!! I see why Misha said he stimulated him and his dancing from the traditional Russian teachings, and Vasiliev is the closest I have ever seen to Baryshnikov in sheer magnitudinal force n the large area of the stage he could cover so quickly!!!! Thank you for sharing this with me, a long retired member of The Detroit Chamber Ballet 🩰 Society, when I was lucky enough to be a student if Louis Ravenal n Lorna Simmonds from the New York City Ballet 🩰!!! Sadly missing such wonderful footage and commentary!!! Thank you for posting this wonderful segment and introducing me to Misha's inspiration!!!!

[constancerodriguez]

I must commend on your commentary. Your voice is very pleasant to hear and your explanations and opinions are spot-on. You even explain why a variation is more comfortable because of comfort or preparation for the next move.
On the Vasiliev cover, my aunt told me that he was her favorite partner.

[dchalloran]

Thanks so much Kent. We could listen to your excellent commentary all day. Our son is a up and coming ballet dancer, but understanding what he does is not easy and his teachers have no time to tell us. Please post more and more.

[misspomerol]

This is from RAI I believe. Radiotelevisione Italia. RAI is a treasure trove of archival ballet, opera and orchestral performances. I watch a full length opera or ballet every day starting at 10 am on RAI 5. The Italian commitment to the classical arts is amazing. Makes me glad I moved here.

[Marta]

Thanks as always for a terrific video of these two ballet greats.

[jonnarobinson]

Thanks, Kent! I always enjoy your videos and commentary. Interesting, that he was stronger with his inside turns. A beautiful dancer.

[ThirzaLynetteClarke-kudq]

Absolutely amazing dancer. More please. Thank you

[aggelinairiniaggelaki]

The best Spartacus ever is the grate and unsurpassed, ALEXANDER GODUNOV.

[jill-pn]

Thank you so much for all your videos, includingly the technic educationals.

[Wotan]

Thanks for this upload, I enjoy your videos immensely.
For info, Vasiliev kept this variation of Quixote till his mid 40s.
Maximova did all the 32 fouettes with hip on hands until early 80s, when she was past her forties.

Baryshnikov, Vladimir Vasiliev and Julio Bocca were my favorite Basils.
Have you ever considered on doing a video of Julio Bocca's approach to the role? It was one of a kind.
Thanks