Dances of the peoples of the world: the Igor Moiseyev Ensemble performed at the National Centre RUSSIA
The Igor Moiseyev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble gave its concert "Dances of the Peoples of the World" on 6 November at the National Centre RUSSIA. The audience saw vibrant performances that brought together folk traditions, expressive choreography and music from different countries.
The Igor Moiseyev State Academic Folk Dance Ensemble is known for bringing traditional choreography to the stage in large-scale theatrical productions. The ensemble's founder, Igor Moiseyev, sought to convey the character of different peoples through movement, music, costume and dance formations. The Russian dance "Summer" is one of the ensemble's classics, with musical arrangements by Samson Galperin and Vladimir Zhmykhov and choreography by Igor Moiseyev himself.
The Russian dance was followed by a Kalmyk dance and a dance of the Kazan Tatars. Each piece highlighted the distinctive movements and musical rhythms of its tradition, while changes in costume and stage character gave the audience a sense of the diversity of these cultures. One of the most dynamic parts of the concert was the suite of Moldovan dances "Hora", "Ciocarlia" and "Joc". Lyrical passages alternated with brisk ones, gradually building in tempo and creating a sense of continuous movement. "Joc" was a particular favourite with the audience. In this energetic dance, the performers' precision and virtuosity added to the festive spirit of the piece.
An old urban quadrille offered a contrast to the spirited folk dances. The piece from the "Pictures of the Past" cycle transported the audience to an urban celebration through graceful movements, figures danced in pairs and expressive costumes. It gave viewers a chance to appreciate the details of the choreography and staging that captured the character of dance in earlier eras. The music for the quadrille drew on folk melodies arranged for the stage.
In the Belarusian dance "Bulba", the performers captured the exuberance and festive spirit of folk dancing. The Adyghe dance "Tlyapatet" continued the programme with expressive, dynamic movements that brought out the distinctive features of its dance tradition. A tune familiar to many was heard in the Greek dance suite "Sirtaki", where recognisable music was paired with carefully coordinated ensemble movements and a gradually increasing tempo. An Uzbek dance with a platter continued the journey through the cultural traditions of different peoples. The concert concluded with the dance tableau "Celebration of Labour". The large-scale production brought the ensemble together in a single composition. Its massed scenes, synchronised movements and festive atmosphere showcased the company's professionalism and brought out the artistic vision behind the piece.
"I devoted more than ten years to choreography. So for me, dance is about more than putting on a show. It's about culture, the character of a people and the chance to express yourself. I couldn't single out one style of dance because our country is one people made up of many ethnic groups. It's always fascinating to see how different we are, how many facets our cultures have and how harmoniously they fit together to form a whole. It's truly magnificent, and it's especially lovely to feel that you're a part of it, however small," said guest Alexandra Poltavchenko.
The concert was held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. It was organised by the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.
Event photobank
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The open dialogue "The Great Victory: A Shared Legacy of Fraternal Peoples" was held on 6 November at the National Centre RUSSIA as part of the Znanie.Unity educational marathon.
The shared memory of Victory, achievements in Russian science, cultural diversity and service to the Motherland were the main themes of the Znanie.Unity educational marathon.
