Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Acclaimed as one of the world's greatest ballerinas, she co-founded the English National Ballet.
On the island
Eight records
Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Well, it was the Sleeping Beauty that I met the great Diagliff through that. That is what brought us together. And in the first I was to be the a smallest fairy who ever came to the christening in the first act.
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Franz Lehár
Well, it was my daddy. I was about Two And if I couldn't sleep he'd pick me up. put me on his shoulder, and he'd waltz around the room and hum. And it was the Merry Widow Wolves.
Dance of the Blessed Spirits (from Orfeo ed Euridice)
NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini
Oh, that was uh when I was dancing at the uh Opera House in New York, and they did a beautiful ballet for me.
Polka (from Façade Suite No. 1)
Hallé Orchestra conducted by Warwick Braithwaite
The public was so taken back and shocked they weren't expecting what they got from me. Expected me in a tutu, you see, like you always did, Polka.
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (from The Nutcracker)
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by James Levine
Well, The Sugar Plum Fairy, my first performance was at Sadler Swears. I had been told before it was one of the variation is one of the most difficult things ever.
Renata Tebaldi with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by Alberto Erede
I spent so much of my life at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York first, of course, with the ballet. And then when I uh announced my retirement from Bali, they asked me to take o would I take over as director... And so uh I think Aida. Kane. up, and that was always very popular.
London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Bonynge
When I had the Bolero eighteen thirty made for me, I said I need a variation for my things, and if possible, give me, I want to show something little different and I said jumping, okay.
Softly Awakes My Heart (from Samson and Delilah)Favourite
In the house in New York at the rehearsal. And I thought That is beautiful. And I thought I need that for the uh belly.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:19How did it come about that Diaghilev changed your name to Alicia Markova?
I thought, oh, I'll be given a wonderful Russian name... And I waited for the very first programme. When I opened it, I was very disappointed because I saw I was Alicia, which was my own name, and the marks he just took S off the end and put OVA on. And there I was.
Presenter asks
6:47How did you react to having to dance to Stravinsky when you got to Monte Carlo?
I started crying like mad. And poor Balanchine, he didn't know what I was crying about... I never heard Stravinsky, you see. And then suddenly the great Mr Djaglov walked into our rehearsal... Diaglev arrived the next evening... It was Stravinsky to help us... From that moment he... was like family to me.
Presenter asks
12:39Is it true that you took up ballet for medical reasons?
Mother took me to Harley Street to the expert for that kind of thing. He said, Would you be willing to do an experiment with me? Find the nearest school that gives exercises in the ballet, and let's see whether it will do what maybe I have in mind... Of course, if our thing doesn't work, he said, All I can tell you about that little one, she will have to wear... Leg ions... and before too long she'll have to be in a wheelchair.
The keepsakes
The book
John Drummond
I really think if I'm going to be there on my own, I'd like speaking of Diaglif, because if I'm alone there I will be reminded of that great gentleman who gave me my life really, bringing me to today, and all the other wonderful, great people in my life.
The luxury
Perfume 'Knowing' by Estée Lauder
for a person who's danced a lot and had to perspire a lot. So I always felt a perfume would be very good to have. It was Estylawder made it for me, and it was called Knowing.
Presenter asks
18:57How did you feel when Diaghilev died so suddenly?
It was the end of that. And it was Daimy Nett who had been with me... and suddenly she knew what Jaglev had in mind for me, you see.
Presenter asks
21:36Why did you feel so strongly about going out on tour to take ballet to the people?
I'd done what Dame Linette wanted, the classic ones, to found the company on. Also, all the modern works were going well, and the dancers were coming, the younger ones... And I've always felt If possible, we should give them the best, because there are many people without money who couldn't journey in or leave a family or something.
Presenter asks
28:17How do you convey that emotion on stage to make people cry?
You see, what interested me, once I had learnt the uh technique. the step so that I was really interested in the person I was to give to the audience, either Giselle or Juliet. You have to convince your audience that all they can see is not me, but either Giselle or... Juliet
“If it rested with me, whatever hard work, I would do it.”
“I've always felt If possible, we should give them the best, because there are many people without money who couldn't journey in or leave a family or something.”
“You have to convince your audience that all they can see is not me, but either Giselle or... Juliet”