Giselle's Act 1 Variation: A Timeless Ballet Classic | 1951 vs. Now Comparison

Welcome to another ballet nerd video! Today, we're diving into the enchanting Giselle's Act 1 Variation, comparing the mesmerizing performances from 1951 to the present day. Join us as we celebrate the evolution of this timeless ballet classic!

In this video, we'll be analyzing the technical and artistic differences between the two eras, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of ballerinas from both generations. From the graceful turns to the delicate footwork, Giselle's Act 1 Variation has captivated audiences for decades, and we're thrilled to share this journey with you.

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[naomimckay]

I've also noticed that in older productions of ballets, they don't have the same amount of space. The stage in the Markova version was so small that resulted in her dancing beneath herself. In the Naghdi, she really had to move to fill the space. I think it's all kind of related to present-day ballet being slower and with more holds and pauses, and old ballet being quick because she didn't have to have time to really travel on such a small stage. Thank y'all for talking us through both versions of the variations! 💕💕

[Rach]

I'm glad you mentioned the pointe shoes. Anyone that criticises a 1950's dancer for technique ignores just how bad those pointe shoes were by comparison to todays standards. The fact that Markova managed to do so beautifully in them is remarkable in itself. Even ignoring the fact of how much 50's dancers were pushing boundaries.

[CheyenneSedai]

You guys should do a collar with TwoSet Violin when they go to the States later this year. It would be really fun to do a modified version of charades, where they're all female variations, and each of you is paired up with one of them. There are several versions of how this could work.
A) The violinist draws a piece of music (either just the name or with the phrases to play), the ballerina hears it and has to respond with the right variation for a couple of phrases (and then probably confirm verbally which it is since I don't think they'll recognize the variation on sight) and see how many each pair manages.
B) Same as before, but the other pair has to guess which variation it is
C) Both the ballerina and the violinist know what variation it will be and the other pair has to guess.

It would be a super fun game, even if it's just the two of you if logistics don't work out.

[thatkatblack]

Petition to bring those diagonal turns back! They fit the music so well!

[isabelaandzico]

Alicia Markova was actually born Lilian Alicia Marks. She changed her name because when dancing with Ballet Russes she recognized that back then having a Russian sounding name made you more popular. Along with Dame Margot Fonteyn, Dame Alicia Markova are the only two British ballerinas in the exclusive club of Prima Ballerina Assoluta.

[noreenarnold]

Markova was not dancing on a full stage but rather a small, compact performing space set up for filming. There was no room for a full circle so the diagonal was substituted instead.

[soapygirl]

I read this biography of markova and she talked a lot about how she gave a lot of thought to the character of Giselle and wanted her to be this very innocent and pure young girl and she really wanted that character to be embodied in her dancing

[cateplink]

I watched a lot of ballet in the 50's with my mother. I studied ballet myself in the late 50's and early 60's but I had not realised just how much ballet has changed. I very rarely get a chance to see much ballet these days, but maybe I'll make time more often.

[daphnegeorge]

I saw Alicia Markova dance at Covent Garden when I was a child. She was famous for her ballon. She appeared to float in the air.

[adamuffoletto]

Man I absolutely love these deep dives into specific bits of ballet lore. You guys are so knowledgeable and articulate and it's very clear you guys do your research. Kudos!

[allandelacruz]

I love your channel. I've always liked ballet as an art form in general. My problem was lack of understanding beyond the pure aesthetic value. Your analyses give me tools to understand and appreciate the art form at a deeper level.

[sharimeline]

I started taking both ballet and figure skating in the 60's, and both sports have changed so much since then. My mother was a dancer in the 1940's. She had books about ballet, and some records that were like mini classes to do at home, complete with old fashioned photos of dancers demonstrating each step. I looked at the books a lot, the pictures were from the 40's and before (some photos were from the 1910's). Even in still photos, I was fascinated with the differences between dancers from the past, and what I was doing. I could see the progression and how dancers always pushed forward to more perfection and precision, greater strength, etc. Even though I was never particularly talented at either skating or ballet, I took regular lessons in both for many years, and I still do home ballet classes through youtube videos. Both ballet and skating have brought me so much joy. It's like knowing a language, and that language unlocks so much. ❤

[mmmdesign]

Just to point out the obvious . . . the Markova variation was filmed in a television [?] studio. She works a shallow, horizontal space of about 14 feet (not the 40 or 50 feet width of a deep, proscenium stage). The diagonal she works is not much longer. $10 says the choreography was changed to keep all the steps underneath her so she does not travel.

[Fallon_K]

I love this !! You guys are definitely my favorite ballet content creators !
❤️ a ballet nerd

[jenninstitches]

I started dancing in the late 80s and danced until about 2003. The amount of change that I saw was crazy and I only danced just because I loved it not because I wanted to go pro. I cannot imagine what my peers who did go pro have seen before they retired and have now moved into teaching/choreography/company leadership.
It is funny seeing that older clip and the hands because my mom who learned started in the late 50s was always trying to change mine to that old position from what I was being taught by my teachers. The changes in shoes too! I would love to try on Gaynors to see what that is like.

[yvonnestrong]

So nice to see the old version where the music is played at a speed more like the composer intended. The way music is slowed down these days to give the ballerinas a chance to stick their knee in their ear every time they lift their leg is a bit irritating. Seeing the two performances side by side, I'm not sure that it's much of an improvement if the main reason is to emphasise technique rather than character in these older story ballets. I've seen quite a few comments on Fonteyn videos along the lines of "don't know what people saw in her, she never even lifts her leg above her waist, " and I think it's sort of sad.

[sabinedeixler]

I'm a classically trained former professional dancer who has done a lot of hisoric dance and ballet. I've experienced dancing in the way they danced at the court of Luis 14thup until modern day ballet. A lot of the port de bras came from the development of baroque and classical period and so does the footwork. Great video! I loved to see you discover the earlier manner of dancing!

[phoenixlundstrom]

For you it was "back then." For me it was yesterday. :D

[laurenbashoura]

I know nothing about ballet but I love this channel so much! I feel like I’m leaning a lot from you two! From what I’ve heard, there are different technique styles depending on the country you study in - it would be cool to see a comparison video like this of the same variation in two different modern ballet styles!

[CheyenneSedai]

Anyway, I loved this video, and would love to see more historical comparisons.