Sokolov-Kaminskiy A. A. Lev Ivanov: The soul of Russian ballet

Abstract

The article is devoted to the legendary figure in the history of Russian ballet, Lev Ivanov, whose outstanding role, according to the author, has not yet received an adequate assessment. It tells about the difficulties of his career as a performer, teacher, choreographer. His rare talent as a choreographer is noted by all researchers. The article attempts to explain the degree of novelty, the revolution that took place in the work created by Ivanov. His creations are mostly either consigned to oblivion, or dissolve into what others have created. Only the ingenious swans have survived. They became the sign of a true revolution in ballet: here classical dance became the embodiment of psychological reality, the language of the 20th century art.