Serge Prokofiev – Ivan the Terrible; the Ballet (2005)

This video is not an attempt to guess at what might have been; Prokofiev probably never considered turning his film score to Eisenstein’s “Ivan the Terrible” into a ballet. The composer was blown away by the death of the director, a tragedy which may well have been the result of Stalin’s refusal to accept the sequel to the first part of the movie; Prokofiev, then, turned away from his composition and let it be.

Mikhail Chulaki, professor of composition, carefully constructed the music of this ballet from parts of the original music and various other works by Prokofiev in collaboration with dance master Yuri Grigorovich. The latter is generally considered one of the world’s greatest living choreographers, and “Ivan the Terrible” (1975) among his most celebrated – and widely performed – productions.
So, it’s about the ballet here; the music serves as no more than a vehicle for a strikingly beautiful piece of art in another medium. Which does not imply Chulaki never received praise for his musical “patchwork” – he did, and abundantly so. Purists need not be afraid the score is un-Prokovian.

What is it that makes this ballet so successful? Well, let’s put it this way: how would you tackle a gordian knot of historical politics in combination with a psychological analysis of a complicated character like Ivan, if you have only dance movements to tell the tale? This needs some thinking, I’d say, and many tough decisions are to be made. The fact that you’ll most likely be caught up in the video for all of its 114 minutes - which is long for a ballet! - gives ample proof of Grigorovich’s vision and creativity. This wonderful piece has all the magic of a Shakespearian history play.

Performers:

Bolshoi Ballet
Childrens Choir of the Bolshoi Theater
Bolshoi Theater Orchestra/Algis Zhuraitis

Main dancers:

Ivan - Irek Mukhamedov
Anastasia - Natalya Bessmertnova
Prince Kurbsky - Gedminas Turanda

Yuri Grigorovich - scenario and choreography
Simon Virsaladze - scenery and costumes
Mikhail Chulaki - musical adaptations