The Sleeping Beauty: Kirov Ballet. 1989.

Watch The Performance Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkeVjq6V84

It may be a truism to say that Russians interpret Russian music best,
but based on this stunning Kirov Ballet performance taped during its 1989 Canadian tour,
it's excitingly and exhilaratingly accurate.
Tchaikovsky's ballet is brought to vividly atmospheric life by the company who may dance
him better than any other company, even the rival Bolshoi, especially in this production by
master Kirov choreographer Marius Petipa (revised by his successor, Konstantin Sergeyev).

From the principal dancers (Larissa Lezhnina is simply fabulous as Princess Aurora,
and her partner, Farukh Ruzimatov, is her equal as Prince Désiré) to the last member of the ensemble,
the grace and mastery of this world-class company is in evidence from the opening Marche to the closing duet.
Simon Virsaladze's tastefully opulent sets and costumes contribute strongly,
as does Viktor Fedotov's conducting and the Kirov Orchestra's playing of one of ballet's most attractive scores.
 --Kevin Filipski

Princess Aurora:Lezhnina, Larissa
Prince Desire:  Ruzimatov, Farukh
Carabosse: Guliayev, Vadim
Lilac Fairy: Makhalina, Yulia
The King: Babanin, Gennady
The Queen: Mikhailova, Nina

The Nutcracker: Bolshoi Ballet. 1989.

Watch The Performance Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgCa-7IpFI

Tchaikovsky´s ballet The Nutcracker, which was written in 1891, premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892 and
first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre Moscow in 1919, shows no sign of losing its hold as
the No. 1 Christmas ballet. It is based on the fairytale The Nutcracker
and the King of Mice written by E.T.A. Hoffman and tells the story of the young girl Clara,
who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
The ballet is a fantastic tale presented in the choreography of Yuri Grigorovich.
It is filled with beautiful music - the Waltz of the Snow flakes and the pas de deux of Sugar-Plum Fairy
and Prince have become immortal - as well as enchanting costumes and a fabulous setting at the Bolshoi Theatre
in Moscow.

Natalya Arkhipova, Irek Mukhamedow, Yuri Vetrov,
Andrei Sitnikov, Ilze Liepa
The Bolshoi Ballet, The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra

Raymonda Bolshoi Ballet. 1989.

Watch Raymonda Here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJV2QyDniAI

Written in 1898, Raymonda is deemed to be Glazunov's finest ballet, stately and melodious.

Raymonda bids farewell to her betrothed Jean de Brienne, who presents her with a silk shawl
as a farewell gift and goes to fight in the Crusades.
She dreams of him, but her dreams are frequently interrupted by the ocurrence of a Saracen warrior.
Abderakhman is fascinated by the beautiful noblewoman and ultimately attempts to abduct her,
duelling with Jean who, by this time, has now returned home.

The Bolshoi adaption of this piece, choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich based on Marius Petipa and Alexandr Gorsky,

is recognized for its fantastic set and costume design, with both the hero and heroine dressed in pure white.
Natalia Bessmertnova's take of the title role is wonderfully delicate,
and she has also an devoted and coequal partner in Yuri Vasyuchenko.