European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - January 12, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Dancers of the russian state Ballet during their Well received performance at the Frankfurt fest Hall in West Germany by Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer moments before Showtime at the Frankfurt fest Halle a thin figure in a Blue Kimono emblazoned with a dragon received a few last pointers backstage from a Chunky Middle aged woman with a Swift Light foot the older woman whisked her pointed toe in front of her body and gestured to the Young girl As if to say Doit like  ten minutes later the Kimono Clad stick figure became a romantic Swan Queen Pirouette no and whisking her toe shoes feet As swiftly and lightly As her backstage Mentor. And along with the other 44 members of the russian state Ballet Ballerina Natalia Cheko Skaya could have danced All night and the audience still would have begged for More. It s hard to imagine a More breathtaking evening of dance than the show of Balletic Force performed by the russian state Ballet last week during the troupe s debut swing through West Germany. The newest generation of russian dancers a Galaxy of future stars whose lights already Burn with deadly intensity performed a thrilling two hour and40-minute Potpourri of classic Ballet sprinkled with two modernistic pieces. They danced at Frankfurt s fest Halle under the artistic direction of Bolshoi Ballet Star Ladislaw Gordeyev. Featuring portions of Swan Lake la Bayadere die Puppen Feeland walpurgis nacht from Gounod s Faust among other selections the rigorous program flaunted the troupe s collective brilliance As Well As its top dancers individual Hallmarks a sweeping Range of styles from athletic ferocity to icy perfection. What was so unusual was the almost ridiculous wealth of Talent leaping across the stage. As demonstrated during the Frankfurt program the russian state Ballet has sufficient top notch Prima ballerinas and Premier dans eurs to dance a different full length Ballet every night for at least a week and probably More. A company still in its infancy the russian state Ballet s Strong and temperamental dancers Are selected by Gordeyev from the nation s finest new Talent in troupes across the nation Gordeyev told the stars and stripes in a preshow interview. We have a very Good tradition of Ballet Gordeyev said of the soviet Union and Many Good teachers. This gives us the possibility for  its classical foundation firmly underfoot the company also is expected to serve at the forefront of expanding the soviet repertoire to include works by Western choreographers As Well As those of neglected russians. Before the glasnost Gordeyev said of the soviet Union s recent policy of openness Many troupes from the West came to our principal cities and Many people saw the modern choreography. Now we have More  a mesmerizing dancer himself Gordeyev said he is anxious to introduce modern ballets technique and interpretation to his dancers before it is too late for them to incorporate additions to their personal styles. Our life is very Short. If j take a dancer for three to five years and they dance Only classics. He broke off and started again. If i want to dance everything it is much easier to learn when i am Yonne. After this it is  not Only do his dancers get the Chance to dance works their artistic predecessors never got to perform they also dance More frequently. In Bolshoi 280 dancers. In , 45," Gordeyev said. In Bolshoi two dance 278 persons  another artistic privilege Gordeyev enjoys is the luxury of choosing and discarding programs. At the Bolshoi Little or no variation was allowed to schedules. If Good applause i share them Gordeyev said of his company s Ballet programs. If not i Don  the Blond Ballet master was Quick to explain that glasnost s reach had exceeded the confines of stage and rehearsal Hall however in affecting his dancers approach to their Craft. Ballet is not Only dance. It is information. It s the world Gordeyev said. If a weakness existed in the Ballet company s offering last week it was the Lack of an adequate written program to follow along in. A woman with a heavy accent announced each act but the announcements did t often match the Agenda that came with the 10-Mark program and the unfamiliar Multi syllabic names were difficult to understand. But some memorable dancers names could be continued on Page 10 january 12, 1989 stripes Magazine