Black Swan BATTLE ROYALE | Comparing two different Odile variations | Ballet Reign
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- Опубліковано 27 жов 2023
- TODAY we're going to witness the face-off between two of the most iconic Black Swan variations in dance history. In this video, we will exclusively compare and contrast the two Odile variations from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.
The Black Swan variation, whichever version you choose, is a highlight of Swan Lake. In this exclusive showdown, we will explore how each version interprets the character of Odile, the evil sorcerer's daughter, as she deceives Prince Siegfried, the Queen Mother, and the royal court. We'll be discussing nuances in the music and subtle gestures that disclose Odile's hidden motives and evil intent.
Today's video will feature renowned ballerinas, Gillian Murphy in American Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake, and Olga Smirnova with the Bolshoi Ballet.
Which version captures the essence of Odile and leave the audience spellbound? Share your thoughts and preferences in the comments section and let us know which dancer you believe gives the most breathtaking portrayal of the Black Swan.
If you like the video, LIKE the video, and COMMENT your thoughts on which Black Swan takes the cake. Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to our channel if you wanna join the Ballet Nerd Club and SHARE this video to spread the Ballet Nerd love!
Grace to you,
J&E
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WATCH MORE SWAN LAKE:
Swan Lake Ballet Analysis: • Swan Lake Insights You...
White Swan Variation: • 🦢WHITE SWAN Pas de Deu...
Black Swan Variation (version 1) Commentary: • 👀 Insiders Look! BLACK...
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I feel like the first variation is Odile’s outer appearance to the court with the disguise. The second variation is almost like a monologue in a Shakespeare play: we’re looking at the internal feelings that no one else onstage can hear. Both really interesting.
Absolutely!! We appreciate ur thoughts on this 👍🏻👍🏻
This is a superb description! 🙏💝
The first is more regal and the second more bewitching, she’s a sorceress not a queen, and everybody falls under her spell. I love both, but on the second one you can feel the power, it’s more magical. Love, Sol
Perfectly articulated ✨🙌🏻🙌🏻. Thanks so much for sharing that! 😁
Both brilliant dancers! But I must say I love the creepiness of the second version, especially that fast ending, like there's no going back now!
YESSS the ending is so powerful!! 🔥🔥
When I was a child I watched a version of Swan Lake (I don't remember where, unfortunately) where they portrayed the sweetness of the first version as being genuine- In that version Rothbart was *tricking* his shy, sweet daughter into believing Siegfried was actually in love with her in order to fool everyone.
That version sticks with me. The idea that she might be under a spell herself is one I rarely see explored.
Honestly, I love the first one more because yes she dances more sweet and innocent, but they are these moments when she looks out to the audience with this almost “dark” or “evil” look that’s so enchanting. It’s like I’m watching someone put on a fake show yet no matter how good they are, the cracks in the expression come through
Yesssss her eyes are so powerful 🤩✨thanks for sharing!
This is a tough call. I like the first one because it shows the audience why Odile is able to take the Prince and the Court in: she's a very good actress playing a part. The second shows the audience more what her real intentions are. I think I really like the second one better because she has so little time overall to display her evil, and I think she has to convince you that, though she looks like Odette, her soul is scheming and cruel. She's out to destroy, and she's proud of herself for doing it so well.
So well articulated 👍🏻👍🏻 it’s a tough choice for sure! 😁
I like the first variation better. I think it makes for a better story when the villain has to be sneaky, and it showcases Odile relying on her cunningness, rather than spells to trick the court. Plus, the added sarcasm just gives her character so much more depth. I do like the steps and music in the second one though
I’m all about the sinister drama on this one! Both are absolutely breathtaking performances, but the wickedness of the second variation is just so dazzling.
i have been into the black swan pas de deux for almost four years now. the second russian variation will forever be my favourite. i love it when odile uses dramatic irony to the audience with the music and her moments. we know her intentions, but the royal court doesn’t. she has them all under her deep spell. the music is also very alluring and beautiful.
Personally, I prefer the second one because of the sinister vibes of it. I understand a less obviously evil Odile from a story-telling perspective, but the black swan being her most evil black swan self is such a slay.
You guys seriously need to collab with Josephine Lee from the pointe shop!!!! That would be the best collab you two and Josephine are so passionate about ballet it would be so entertaining😂❤❤
Thank you so much, we hope to collab with her one day for y’all 😊 Appreciate you kind comment!
@@balletreign yayyyyyyyy Xx
Gillian Murphy shimmers as Odile: She just nails this variation! She's probably the best Odette/Odile ABT has had on roster since Cynthia Gregory. The only other prima I've ever seen who was as technically and as artistically impeccable in this version of Odile as Murphy, was former (then Kirov) prima ballerina, Olga Tchyentchikova. She is currently Alona Kovalyova's coach at the Bolshoi. Like Murphy, she embellished and regaled you with every step. However, unlike Murphy, Tchyentchikova's Odile dripped blood. She was very aggressive and evil oozed from every limb. She moved like a predator in that ballroom and took no prisoners. During the pdd she seduced Siegfried like a pro. As for Olga Smirnova, I'm ITA with you that she was born to dance that which is Yuri Grigorovich's choreography for Odile. Now that she's with Dutch National Ballet, she also dances the first variation and has mastered both versions.
GILLIAN'S FIRST TURN OH MY GOD!! I see a lot of dancers do a pirouette wind-up and an extra plie before, which is fine, but her prep was just so effortless. She was meant to be doing this.
I think Semionova is the best I’ve ever seen performing the alternative black swan variation.
She owns that role 🤩🤩
I liked the first performance, it is more clear and luxurious! 👏🏻
Thanks for sharing! We love it too 😁💕
There are TWO?! 🤯
2:04 vs 11:17! I had to listen to them in direct comparison.
I've never heard the second one before, but I was instantly captivated by the harp (my not-ballet-trained brain has been conditioned to think of this as starting a dream/potential nightmare) and the oboe!
This has more of the subtle seductive, alluring, yet sinister and ominous sounds of what in the 1700-1900s they called "the Orient" and what we call "the middle east."
So I would dance the second one if I had a choice!
Thank you very much for another educational and entertaining video!
You're approaching 10K subscribers! 👏👏👏
Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🦇🌛🪄💫
So happy we could introduce u to this variation!! Thanks for ur thoughts, it’s def a showstopper piece 🔥✨
And thank uuuu 💕 we rlly can’t believe there’s almost 10k of y’all who love ballet as much as we do. Thanks for being a part of us! 💕✨
@@balletreign Thank YOU, my dears! I also want to compliment you on the thumbnail! The art style is very striking. Your thumbnails are always eye-catching, but this was a whole different look! 💝👻🎃💫
Thank you!! We appreciate ur feedback and support 💕💕💕💕
@@balletreign 🤗🌺🦋💫
I prefer the music in the first one but I do like the steps in the second one more. Also, has there ever been a version with a costume reveal at the end? I would love a reveal from a white Odile to a black one so that even the audience doesn't know until it is too late
Oooohh that is such a cool concept, never seen a live costume change before, but def a possibility. Thanks for sharing your opinion on these! 😁😁
Ohhh do you mean like the tutu is white on the entire pas de deux and then black once she reveals herself that's difficult unless it sequins but it's probably not allowed in costumes
There is a version, in which Odile wears a white dress to fool Siegfried: ua-cam.com/video/cLOck1NJwlw/v-deo.html
But it's interesting that the only one who is sometimes revealing himself is Von Rothbart (as in the ABT production with Gilian Murphy, and the reason is...because in both ABT as in Bolshoi version, Odile is not real, and only supposed to be a demonic doppelganger conjured by the evil genius...she simply vanishes...she is no daughter, no real woman. In the Bolshoi Version, she is a mechanism of "evil fate")
@@DaveCalungsod I just thought if drag queens can do all those reveals on stage someone might have come up with something :D
@@felicity1877 thanks for the link to the video and explanation!
The 2nd one is more common in my country. I recognize the oboe anywhere.
I love this. But what I would like to see (after you have broken down the various differences) the WHOLE variation performed by
each dancer.
Thank u for watching and for ur request! 😁😁
It's interesting that the music for both Odile variations actually have very different origins. In the first and more common Odile variation, the music was not included in Tchaikovsky's 1877 original ballet score but was included in the 1895 revision of the ballet as an orchestration of Tchaikovsky's piano solo Op. 72 No. 12, L’Espiègle. The second Odile variation's music was written in the 1877 score as Variation 5 from Act III Pas de Six (Swan Lake, Op. 20: No.19 Pas de Six: Variation 5). Although the Act III Pas de Six is no longer performed, note that Variation 2 (Andante con moto) from the Pas de Six is sometimes used in some productions in Act IV as a pas de deux for Siegfried and Odette. Tchaikovsky wrote such great music!
The second one is the version I kind of grew up with, because my teacher had the video of Fonteyn and Nureev. I must admit... I kind of like Margot better in this variation? Olga is amazing, but there was a charm to Margot's interpretation that made it believable that Siegfried would mistake her for Odette.
The first version is so iconic though..
Margot is def a legend ✨✨✨thanks for sharing ur thoughts!
I love both but Smirnova is so good in this role....
She’s the best! 👍🏻😁
Insightful and fun. 😊
Thank you for watching!! 😁😁
@@balletreign a pleasure 🙏 ☺️
I had no idea the second version was “the alternate” since I grew up with this version.
I think for me I have struggled to see why Siegfried was taken in when the evil was so blatant in the second version It is only a bit less so in the first but that outer charm is there. I think it’s accepting that everyone is just spellbound and that makes more sense with the second version. So pretty neck and neck really
It’s a close one for sure!! Thanks for ur thoughts 😁😁
In the first one she just seems so home in the court's attention ❤
totally agree ✨✨✨
Battle of my faforite Odiles, and pas de six variation V vs the 1895 revival additional piece (;
Let the battle begin (;
Gilian Murphy is my favorite Odile...she is supposed to be a warm seductress.
The Bolshoi Version is very special. It starts with pas de six variation 2 before the black swan pas de deux, everything is covered in gloom. and there is a whole entourage of black swans.
She is a mechanism of evil fate. There is no Von Rothbart. He is supposed to be Siegfried's "evil genius". It's simply only dark, cold and evil...
(well, still I absolutely love Odile as main character from My first Swan Lake (; )
Gillian Murphy!!! Good gravy! I’m stunned! Phenomenal!
She is FABULOUSSSS✨✨✨✨
Definitely my definite Odile (;
Two great picks ... and neither one from the Royal Ballet. Well done ladies!
HAHA y’all know us too well 😂😂
@@balletreigndo you guys not like the royal ballet?
You two are a total hoot! I love the way you laugh at your own actually very cogent thoughts...and perceptions. You add a new texture of Ballet Nerd-dom to the body of usual interpretations. I'd love to see you both dance Odette!
Awww thanks!!! So happy we made u smile 😁😁
Double reed instruments make duck voices 😂
Thank you! 😊
For me version 2 can't be beat-it's so powerful and intimidating 😅 thank you for your insight on the first one though! I have a bit more appreciation for it now
So glad we could bring some new insight for that one! Thanks for sharing your thoughts ✨😁😁
it is also a different way of connecting the audience to the play. in the first variation the audience is also deceived, in the second it can only watch in horror to the deceit she is casting on stage. two completely different experiences and for sure the second version will engage the audience more in the emotional tensity of the story. everyone is on the edge of their seat if she will get through with her plan!
They both bandy-legged which I love.
Odile: 😈
Everyone else: This is fine. 🙂
I like the first one
Thank u for sharing ur opinion! We love that version too ✨✨✨
Both beautiful in their own way, love them both but think I would dance the you're all going down varaition.
Its such a great variation!! Thanks for sharing ur fave 😁✨
I love the first one, I love Gillian and the music…
When it came to deceiving the court/the audience:
- Gillian’s goal was to convince everyone she had a place there.
- Olga’s goal was to assert her presence & stop opposition before it even started.
Is it better to expertly play the game or to make it your own?
I’d dance Gillian’s variation even though I like Olga’s version better 🤷🏽
Wowww this is good! 🙌🏻 thanks for sharing this!
@@balletreign LOVE your vids 🩷🩷
I don't see sweetness in either of the Odile interpretations, but both have something that I believe is essential to the role that you haven't mentioned (or perhaps I missed it): seductiveness!
I would say that first variation works well with the context of the whole ballet, so we can see that "fake sweetness" that Odile tries to do to look like Odette, so it doesn't look like her full potential of evilness. But the second variation works well out of context, because it's sooo black swan, the music is stronger, the choreography it's more sharp, so if it's just the pas de deux I'd say looks better (it's also my favorite)
I didn’t realise that these 2 odile solos weren’t in swan lake together! I prefer the second/alternate version
I’ve never come across your channel before, and y’all are a treat! I especially appreciate knowing about the two versions. Who knew? You did. Thank-you.
So sweet!! Thank you! Glad u found us, we’re glad to have you here 😁😁✨
Everyone has such well thought-out comparisons and insights--nice to read. Seems like version 2 is winning numerically. I'm just glad there are two versions and that each has its merits
Yeah! Funny that the “less performed” version is actually more preferred (by y’all, at least)🤓🤓
You did such a great job explaining the strengths of both!
Aww thanks! Glad u found it helpful 👍🏻✨💕
And luxurious is definitely the word of the week 😀
LOL 😂
Yall are my new favorite channel ❤❤❤
So honored 🥰🥰 thank you!!
Its so great to hear this all explained. Im trying to understand ballet more and this really helped.
You’re welcome! Glad to hear this helped… Thanks for watching
I love the more popular version the e major one❤
But seeing this vid made me change my perspective on the other version
Heyyyy so cool! Glad we could offer a new perspective ✨😁
❤
This is so education for me, as my familiarity with ballet variations is basically "whatever the Bolshoi & Mariinsky do." It makes sense that different companies would use the works of different choreographers, and that's what makes ballet seem so dynamic to me!
Love thissss ✨✨ it’s amazing to see how ballet is interpreted in different regions… so so special
16:25 Agree. With this roll you can tell the ballerina has a truly sassy personality under all those frills.
I grew up watching the alternate version, in particular one starring Zakharova - which played the femme fatale so neatly - and assumed it was the main and original one. Then, I was still a pre-adolescent, I watched The Aronofsky's Black Swan movie and ended up so freaking disappointed at the Black Swan variation music. That was such a great unnerving, grotesquely seducing scene, the alternate music from the Pas the six (and the relative coreography) would have fit it so much better! Definitely I do still prefer that one.
Hey girls! how about the 4th act pas de deux, the royal ballet version and the ballet american theatre version? both are sooo beautiful
Too beautiful 🤩 would love to make a vid on it! Thanks 😁😁
I’m a professional ballerina trained in Moscow, so the alternative variation is done much more often all over the former Soviet countries and Eastern Europe where I work. I really think that the most common variation has been done too many times. However, if I have to watch it again, Gillian Murphy is absolutely perfect. So I’m biased and Olga embodies Odile. Bravas both ballerinas👏🏻🩰
Thanks for ur thoughts! Both of them are fabulous dancers 👍🏻✨✨. The first one of def more popular in the USA 🇺🇸
Hi I recently discovered your channel. I don’t understand anything about ballet dancing but I love your passion, your energy and your charm. Maybe you’ll help me enter this world.
I would really love to watch you guys react to the whole ballet, honestly. I never really “got” this ballet until I heard you talk about the character here and I’m super curious about the rest of the ballet now, though I don’t trust that I’d “get” it without your help lol
Lucky for you, we happen to have already made such a video! ua-cam.com/video/aeXiLuMJLBM/v-deo.htmlsi=TnuFBpFsEFwZsetX
So glad you enjoyed this video and that it helped you understand and appreciate this ballet better! Keep Ballet-Nerding 👍🏻✨😁😁
The second one has always been my jam.
It’s an epic variation! 🔥✨
insightful! 🪷
Glad to hear it!! Thanks! 😁😁
I'd probably do the first. Also, I was wondering about the history of these two variations. Why are they so different, even down to the music? Where is each more popular?
Good choice!! There is sooo much to say on history, we’ll def have to discuss it in a future video. There you so much for watching today! ✨😁
@@balletreign oh yes, please! It's such an amazing history and I can't do it as good as you do! By the way, have you ever considered any theories about Odile's inspiration? An idea from me is Desiree Artort, who was called by Tchaikovsky "utterly bewitching" (;
The history is indeed quite amazing, and to give a "short "answer for now...The classic version we see on stage is the revival from 1895 by Petipa/Ivanov (with support by Modest Tchaikovsky and Riccardo Drigo), who did also change parts of the original ballet score from 1877 (as well partly the story details). The first variation (Gilian Murphy) is not from the original Swan Lake score, but the second one (Smirnova) is Nr. 19 (pas de six), variation 5 from the original score (pas de six was cut and is sometimes seen recycled). It is used - as much I know - only at Bolshoi, then versions by Vladimir Bourmeister (such like the La Scala version with Zakharova/Bolle), then by the movie version with Nurejev/Fonteyn as well the one with Erik Bruhn as well a few not so known modern stage versions. It is indeed so much to discuss. Even the costume choice (;
@@felicity1877wow, thank you!! 🙏💕
just out of curiosity, i went back to watch the other parts of the grand pas de deux with smirnova. i noticed that in the entree & adage, odile did the first passage across the floor by herself, instead of with siegfried! to me, it gave off this impression that she doesn't really *need* siegfried, she's just using him like a plaything to get what she wants. it also comes off like she's enticing him to "chase" her, to fall even harder for her charms.
it's always so interesting to me how even across companies, some classical pas de deuxs and variations contain the same core steps, but they're all performed so differently
I feel like I’ve seen both versions equally. I love both for different reasons. 🥰🥰🥰
It’s too hard to pick just one!! 😅😅
I like both, but one thing what triggered me - arms in the first variation. I wish she will do arm part smoothly.
I would love to see a comparison between The Dying Swan when Pavlova did it and now. Love your videos! My daughter is the dancer and I'ma musician, but we enjoy watching them together every week!
Fabulous vid idea!! Thanks! So happy y’all are both able to enjoy our channel together. Thanks for making us a part of ur week! ✨🙌🏻☺️☺️
Tough choice. But given the opportunity I would have loved to perform the second variation. It is just more fun 😏 Amazing video as usual 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It’s a tough one for sure 😅😅 the second one is awesome 🤩
I prefer the second one because it showcases the character of Odile better I think! When I watch swan lake I want to see a very stark difference between Odile and Odette, and in the second variation you can see the dancing has more unchecked raw power rather than Odette’s more dainty and reserved beautiful dancing. When I see Odile I want the dancer to really lean into the evilness of Odile’s character!!!
Well put! 😁 that version is so powerful 🔥🔥
do you ladies use a subscription of some sort to watch high quality ballets online?
You've highlighted the different ways each portrays Odile's evil intentions (I especially like analogy another commenter used about the second one being a Shakespearean villain soliloquy) and it got me thinking - are there versions/interpretations you know of that suggest she's being forced or pressured to do it by Rothbart, or is she always a willing participant?
Good question, we’ve personally have never seen an interpretation of odile being forced against her will to do what she needs to do. Though maybe it exists out there somewhere? She is usually very invested and on her dads team. Hope this helps! 😁😁
I always wonder why she is doing it, too. Is she just evil or is it something else? I wondered at one point if maybe Odette-Odile were sisters, and von Rothbart was the father of both. how's that for weird overthinking? I like the Royal Danish Ballet twist where von Rothbart seems to be part of the Court, and trying to get Odile to actually marry the Prince, as per his promise.@@balletreign
I actually think that both variations are beautiful - though I like the music of the first better. he first variation seems more subtle - as though she is truly trying to impersonate Odette and really deceive everyone. The second is more like she is just saying "I AM the Swan queen and I will be your queen - period."
Yeah that’s exactly it! So well put 👍🏻😄😄
sugarplum analysis soon 🙏🏼
I feel that the second just adds some true magic to the ballet it makes you in some way feel like you are also a character you are sitting in the court and being enchanted by this sorceress
For sure 👏🏻👏🏻
Gillian's version is one where she fools everyone into believing that she is such a nice lady, not my cup of tea. I do not like the music or the choreography of it. I am really happy that a more captivating version was created as Olga's Odille is bewitching them, she is not wasting her time to try and impersonate Odette, she is directly casting her spell and demonstrating her power undeniably. Also, the music resonates more with me - probably because in real life I am timid and naive, and I like watching what I do not have, I presume.
Thanks for sharing ur thoughts! ✨✨
I've always preferred the first variation. I love the portrayal of subtle evil. Gillian's Odile is like a noose made of silk.
I like both and both dancers, however I think that Gillian Murphy's version of the whole Black Swan is superior because of the communication between she and her partner.
Who is/are the choreographers and composers for each of those variations?
If I had any dance competence, I would choose the first variation. The second variation is just not as attractive from the storyline and visual perspective - IMHO anyway.
Why were there two variations ? Did Tchaikovsky write music for two, then could not settle on a favorite ?
You are probably aware, but the music for the second variation was used in Act One of the ABT Kevin MacKenzie version. Which Gillian Murphy danced.
On February 7th, I saw the Ukrainian Classical Ballet's Swan Lake. 🥳 They did the second variation. I do prefer it because of the sinister storytelling in the music and choreo 😈
You literally have to be fit to be queen - must be fit enough to pull off a manège at the end of a two minute variation
hello ladies, thanks for this video. I prefer the version of Olga Smirnova, for many reasons, the character, the choreography, and the style of this ballerina. Also I have to say that the choice she made at the beginning of the war, to leave Russia and the Bolchoi, though it is not very "ballet", won my heart.
If you are interested, there is also the version of Bourmeister, I found this video on YT, it is from Opéra de Paris, with Patrick Dupond and Marie-Claude PIetragalla, with a bizarre decor and costumes, but the interpretations are great also :
ua-cam.com/video/JJ0nQglv-Sw/v-deo.html
I prefer Svetlana Zakharova’s version of the second one.
Which version is the La Scala Theater or the Bolshoi?
The best odille is Jim Carrey in SNL
Be better if you could talk while showing the film instead of going back and forth from film to commentary.
Thanks for ur feedback!