The VI International Competition of Ballet Dancers in Moscow
June 6-26, 1989
104 participants from 26 countries
1989 was a jubilee year for Ballet Dancers International Competition; exactly twenty years had passed since its foundation. This time, 106 competitors from 26 countries came to perform in the contest.
For the first time at the International Competition of Ballet Dancers in Moscow, a Soviet-American duo took part: Galina Stepanenko and Michael Shannon; he came from Los Angeles to study at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.
After the rounds, the judges announced their decision. Christina MacDermott (Switzerland), Galina Stepanenko (USSR), and Vladimir Malakhov (USSR) got gold medals.
Christine MacDermott's artistry, effortlessness, and liveliness of performance were outstanding. From the first round, she surprised the Jury and the audience with her ballet Le Corsaire's performance, in which she danced with her partner Dinko Bogdanovic (FRG). She offered her interpretation of one of the most common pas de deux in the competition, which is traditionally considered more advantageous for the partner. MacDermott presented a poetically meaningful, understated, and exquisite image. With the freedom of her dance, she exalted her partner, who bowed down to the power of her charms.
However, the centerpiece of the competition was Narcissus (choreography by K. Goleizovsky), performed by gold medal winner Vladimir Malakhov. He described his work on the performance as follows: "Vladimir Vasiliev recently gave me his Narcisse, composed for him by Goleizovsky. Carefully preserving the choreographic text, Vassiliev was looking for new plastic accents for me. After all, Golezovsky always aimed for a specific performer, and in his dance, he composed a 'self-portrait' of his mental qualities."
Numerous articles in the press claimed that the contest went off without sensational discoveries, but they were wrong. Laureate Galina Stepanenko became a prima ballerina at the Bolshoi Theatre. Vladimir Malakhov was recognized as one of the best dancers in the world, later he worked with the leading ballet companies, and in 2002 he became a head of the Berlin State Opera. Anna Dorosh and Michael Shannon, diploma winners, became laureates of other international competitions and leading soloists in various ballet companies worldwide.
The diploma winner for Contemporary Choreography was German choreographer Ditmar Seiffert's performance of Love Song in Minor based on Iraqi folk music.
Valery Kosorukov's exhibition was opened in the Bolshoi Theatre foyer, and creative meetings were regularly held in the press center. Guests of the competition had an extensive cultural program and a visit to the Moscow State Academy of Choreography.
Gallery
