Video Artists International

Gayne (Khachaturian)
VAI DVD 4428, $34.95

The first video release of Khachaturian’s famous ballet, which brought the world the popular “Sabre Dance.” Composed in 1942, this 1980 production stars Larisa Tuisova and Alexander Rumyantsev and the corps de ballet and orchestra of the Latvian Opera and Ballet Company. The choreography, by Boris Eifman, scuttles the original scenario and instead focuses on the shifting relationships among Gayne, Armen and Giko. As in so much of his work, Eifman has created a series of exciting dances flavored with nationalistic flair. Bonus segments include such rarities as a 1964 performance of the final act of Gayne as performed at a Bolshoi Theatre Gala Tribute to Khachaturian, with the composer himself conducting. Color (bonus segments in black & white), 81 minutes (plus bonus = 47 minutes), Mono, All regions.

Details:

GAYNE
Music by Aram Khachaturian
Choreography by Boris Eifman

Gayne: Larisa Tuisova
Giko: Alexander Rumyantsev
Armen: Gennady Gorbanev
Machak: Maris Korystin

Latvian Opera and Ballet Company
Alexander Viljumanis, cond.

Bolshoi Theatre • 1980

Bonus Segments:

GAYNE (Final Act)
Performed at Tribute to Aram Khachaturian
Gayne: Nina Timofeyeva • Nune: Elena Cherkavskaya
Armen: Yuri Zhdanov • Karen: Vladimir Koshelev
With Dancers of the Bolshoi Theatre
Conductor: Aram Khachaturian
Produced by Main Music Dept. with Soviet Television, 1964
Copyright © 1995 Gosteleradiofond

SPARTACUS – Act II: Adagio
Maya Plisetskaya & Maris Liepa
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Produced by Main Music Dept. with Soviet Television, 1971
Copyright © 1995 Gosteleradiofond

SPARTACUS – Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia
Excerpt from the documentary film A Life in Dance
Natalia Bessmertnova & Yuri Vladimirov
Choreography: Yuri Grigorovich
Produced by EKRAN Productions, 1978
Copyright © 1995 Gosteleradiofond

Notes:
Though Gayne is rarely mounted by major ballet companies, some of Khachaturian’s score has become ubiquitous through uses far removed from its original setting. In particular, the “Sabre Dance” has reached almost pop status showing up in such diverse settings as The Ed Sullivan Show (plate spinners), British punk rock bands, traveling circuses, dog acts, The Simpsons, and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. The more serene Adagio has been heard, most famously, in 2001: a Space Odyssey as well as Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, Aliens, and Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. Residuals from these usages should have benefited the Khachaturian estate considerably.

The ballet, itself, has never achieved the popularity of Spartacus, Khachaturian’s opus magnum, despite its attractive score. Choreographed in 1942 by Nina Anisimova, Gayne was first produced by the Kirov Ballet which had been evacuated to Perm during the war. The original cast included Anisimova, Natalia Dudinskaya (Gayne), Nikolai Zubkovsky (Karen), Konstantin Sergeyev (Armen)
and Boris Shavrov (Giko).

The story, originally set in a farm collective, carried a fair amount of nationalistic baggage. It was ballet as poster art, but was, nonetheless, compelling in its convictions. The version choreographed by Boris Eifman scuttled the original scenario, focusing instead on the shifting relationships among Gayne, Armen and Giko. As in so much of his work, Eifman has created a series of exciting dances flavored, in Gayne, with nationalistic flair. The fourth act of the ballet, containing some of the score’s most spirited music, was revived by Anisimova for the Bolshoi Ballet in 1961. Included here as a bonus selection, and featuring such Bolshoi stars as Nina Timofeyeva and Yuri Zhdanov, the great Bolshoi stage resonates with unbridled energy and excitement.