This year Les Ballets Russes are being celebrated in many parts of the world.

One of the highlights so far has been LES BALLETS RUSSES IN CONCERT with SAINT PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIQUE ORCHESTRA at Theatre des Champs Élysées in Paris. Three evenings in cold november with wonderful ballet music related to Les Ballets Russes.

The programme included Tchaikovsky: The Swan Lake. Rimski-Korsakov: Sheherazade. Stravinskys three famouse pieces: The Rite of Spring, The Firebird and Petrouchka. In addition the orchestra was performing two violin concertos, Tchaikovsky´s and Prokofievs no 2 with the brilliant violinsoloist Sergej Krylov, he too brilliantly played the violinsolo in Sheherazade.In the big russian tradition Youri Temirkanov was conducting the orchestra, it was like a fairy tale. First the Suite from the Swan Lake. The amazing introdution immediately set the the whole temperature for these concert evenings with the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, The big waltz from first act was a hit, beautifully followed by the four small swans.

The pas de deux in the second act was brilliant formed, introduced by the great harpsolo played by Anna Makarova (?), with beautiful solos in the great classical tradition by the first violinist Lev Klychkov followed by the young solocello Nikolay Girunyan (photos) and the duet between these two instruments. This followed in the suite by a group of national dances from third act, with temperaments according to the diferent themes geat kastaniets in the Spanish dance, The Tarantella with beautiful trumpet solo by Igor Sharapov (?)  and ended by the finale and apotheoese with double harps.

It is a good initiative from the programcomitee to give the audience the possibility to listen to headlights of the music from this part of the balletrepertoire in a concert form, as we can feel that the music too can have its own life by it self. Also without dancers. another thing is that at a balletperformance we often dont have the possibility to enjoy suc a large symphonyorchestra.

Shererazzade followed, and in this the brilliant violinsoloist Sergej Krylov performed all the soloparts, which are opening each part, with beautiful sensuability in his feeling of the violinsolo part. Beside the concertmaster Lev Klychkov. The sensuality, the erotism, the ecsotism in this balletmusic is great, and can absolutely stay alone without dancers. Furtherone it gives very many great possibilityes for the soloists in all part of the orchestra to show their qualityes.

This orchestra has a spesially warmnes, a bit exotic, which i like. The different groups are clear each in their sound All the part sof this suite to Sheherazade are started with a violinsolo part and ending with a cadenza, which helps giving the temperatures to the different parts.

On Saturday I enjoyed the two great Igor Stravinsky pieces Firebird and Petrouschka. Which is quite different in their style formed close to the history. While the Firebird is dramatic-romantic, Petrouchka is placed in the market – Circus milieu, which brings a lot of interesting details and small events in to the paly, as we are passing through the market, and enjoying the hopeless love from Petrouschka to the danseuse. Between these two we came to anoother world, but still russian. The second violin concerto by Prokofiev g-minor. With a brilliant soloviolinist Sergej Krylov. In addition Krylov was giving an encore Bach

. Even more brilliant, and very popular. Since last February he has too been director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Vilnius, following after Saulius Sondeckis
.

It has been three wonderful evenings and again, we got the prowe that this symphony orchestra is among the very best in the world. During this autumn Paris has been blessed with guesting of all the leading orchestras in the world. Inclusive their own famouse, not to forget the Orchestra at Opera National de Paris under the batoon of Philippe Jordan. www.kulturkompasset.com/2009/11/wonderful-alpe…hilippe-jordanwonderful-alpensymfonie-with-philippe-jordan

But the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is among the very top ones.  Leaded by  Youri Temirkanov who is continung conducting in the geat russian tradition and doing it very well.

LES BALLET RUSSES:

Other events: The Ballets Russes exposition at Palais Garnier. The Operas of Ballet Russes exposition at The National Centre in Moulins. Premiere of Les Ballets Russes Ballet at Palais Garnier.

The Centre National de la Danse in Paris. In the wake of  Ballets Russes 1929-1959. Opening 6th January

ABROAD: The Monte Carlo Ballet – A Festival to celebrate the close connections etween Les Ballets Russes, Dhiaghilev and the Garnier opera house in Monte Carlo. 26th December to the end of July 2010.

 

Sweden: Dansmuseet, Stockholm presenting an exposition of costumes which started allready 29th May 09:

BALLETS RUSSES IN PARIS 1909 – 2009. Costumes from Diaghilevs Ballets Russes until April 25, 2010.

 

Isadora Duncan exposition at Musée Bourdelle in Paris.  Until March 14th.

 

 

Wictoria & Albert Museum, London, presenting Dhiaghilev and Ballets Russes next year, starting September 25th and until January 16th 2011.

The Trekiakov State Gallery, Moscow,  October 28 to January 31 2010, named VISION OF DANCE. To the 100 anniversary of “Russian ballets” of Serge Dhiagilev in Paris.