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A
Tribute to Igor Moiseyev
Robert
Harrold bids farewell to an industry great
Sadly
Igor Moiseyev, the distinguished Russian choreographer
and director of the famous Igor Moiseyev Folk Dance
Company recently died in Moscow at the age of 101. He
was one of the first teachers, choreographers and directors
who developed the folk dances of the Soviet into a first
class theatre performance, which became celebrated throughout
the world.
He
first created the company in 1939 with only 35 dancers,
but it soon became so successful that it was expanded
into 100 artists. The Soviet Union was so vast and so
rich in folk dance and styles, all of which Moiseyev
choreographed into an exciting stage performance. The
company first appeared in London at Earls Court in 1955
and was a ‘mind-blowing’ sensation. No-one
had seen such strength and technical virtuosity as shown
by the men, nor the beauty and grace of the women, which
was combined with beautiful coloured regional costumes
and authentic sound. The dancing by the men and Moiseyev’s
clever choreography did a great deal to establish that
male dancing was not feminine in any way. The huge enthusiastic
audiences were made up of people who would never think
of going to a ballet performance. To see the company
was indeed a thrilling experience that one never forgets.
Above:
Dancers from Moiseyev’s Folk Dance Company
Over
the years he received many honours, including Russia’s
highest civilian decoration, the Order of Merit. The
National Dance Faculty of the ISTD presented him with
a special certificate and gift, via the Russian Embassy,
for his outstanding contribution to folk dance and the
inspiration to all folk dancers. This was only the second
time it had been awarded the first being to Dame Ninette
de Valois, who became Patron of the National Faculty.
Igor Moiseyev was trained in classical ballet at the
Bolshoi Ballet School. He blended what he called “the
grammar of movement” with the various folk dance
styles, which gave his company that special performance
quality.
The
National Faculty has so many of his principles in place
and he would be pleased with the work the teachers create.
Robert Harrold |
