До історії Київської школи чоловічого балетного виконавства: 60-70-ті роки ХХ століття
Regarding the history of the Kyiv school of male ballet performance of the 1960-70’s

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the history of the home school of male performance of 1960 -70’s. The masterpiece of the leading actors of the Kyiv Shevchenko state academic opera and ballet theater such as Valeriy Kovtun, Viktor Lytvynov and Mykola Priadchenko is investigated. The main stages of their creative career are enlightened, their most brilliant creative achievements are analyzed. The study of the creative experience of the best representatives of the Kiev school of dance of 1960-70’s aiming at accumulating and preserving the national ballet theoretical heritage is an urgent task of the modern Ukrainian art. The purpose of this research is the scientific study of the artistic heritage of the brightest figures of the Kyiv Ballet of that period of performing and severance of the characteristics of their manners and professional level. The analysis of scientific sources shows that this topic was examined by such domestic researchers as I.Dichenko, N.Zubareva, L.Tarasenko, V.Turkevych, M.Stefanovic and etc. But perhaps the most fruitful impact in this area was done by the scientific activity of Doctor of Arts, Professor Yuri Stanishevsky, who devoted a number of fundamental monographs to studying the history of the national ballet. Along with analysis of the best ballet theater of the Soviet theater heritage, the focus of researcher has always been concentrated on the main achievements of the leading soloists of the ballet scenes countries, their creative collaboration with famous Ukrainian choreographers, directors, conductors and more. The 1960-70’s in the history of the Kyiv ballet scene were marked by active stage searches, daring artistic experiments, which stood out in line with the individual style of performing of several generations of dancers. In particular, during this period M.Apukhtin, F.Baklan, A.Belov, G.Baukin, V.Kruglov, A.Novychonok, V.Nekrasov, N.Novikov, V.Parsiegov, O.Segal, B.Stepanenko were working on stage. Next to them the representatives of young generation such as V.Kovtun, E.Kosmenko, S.Lukin, V.Litvinov, M.Pryadchenko, V.Fedotov, V.Yaremenko, O. Kalibabchuk, V.Rybiy, B.Lebid etc. were growing. Unfortunately, the volume of the scientific publications cannot fully review the creative contribution of all these artists. We therefore will limit ourselves to a few names: V.Kovtun, V.Litvinov and M.Pryadchenko. Valery Kovtun, a well-known Ukrainian dancer takes a special place in the list of prominent figures of the Kyiv theatrical stage of the 1960-1970’s. Among the best roles of Vladimir Kovtun of that period we will note such as Siegfried ("Swan Lake"), Basil ("Don Quixote"), Albert ("Giselle"), Vaclav ("Fountain of Bakhchisarai") and so on. On Kyiv stage V.Kovtun performed about 30 solo parties. Among V.Kovtun’s special achievements there are his participations in the 5th International Ballet Competition in Varna (Bulgaria), the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, the 4th International Dance Festival in Paris (Nijinsky Prize of the French Academy of Dance, 1977). In 1978, the leading soloist of T.Shevchenko Opera and Ballet theater V.Kovtun received the honorary title of People’s Artist of the USSR. Simultaneously with the work of choreographer, V.Kovtun was involved in teaching practice, he taught dance duet in the Kyiv Ballet School. Innovative ideas of choreographers of the 1960-70’s were embodied on the Kyiv stage by talented master Viktor Litvinov. In 1985, V.Litvinov finished his career of dancer and choreographer and turned to ballet master activity. Choreographer’s debut on the main stage ballet Kyiv happened in December 1988, with the play "Don Quixote". Another work of V.Litvinov was the original version of S.Prokofiev’s "Cinderella". In 2003 and 2006 V.Litvinov was awarded by theater prize "Kyiv Pectoral" as the best choreographer for such ballet performances as A.Gradsky’s "Mowgli" and B.Pawlowski’s "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". In 2009 Viktor Litvinov obtained the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine. Deep spirituality and technical excellence were embodied on the stage of the Kyiv T.Shevchenko Opera and Ballet theater in 1960-70’s by Mykola Pryadchenko, a dancer. At the age of 18 Mykola Pryadchenko made his début on the Kyiv stage in the ballet "Forest Song" in virtuoso party of Perelesnyk. And the result of M.Pryadchenko’s stage activity was 25-year-long theatrical experience realized in the performance "Fantastic Symphony" to the music of Berlioz. Noting the dancer’s acting talent and professionalism, critics noticed that in this play M.Pryadchenko created one of his best roles. Since 1996, M.Pryadchenko has been working as tutor choreographer in the ballet troupe of the theater in the capital. Conclusions and prospects for further development. Thus, the 1960-70’s became for the Kiev Ballet Scene the period of great artistic achievements of several generations of prominent representatives of the national school of classical dance. Along with experienced performers the young generation of future Ukrainian ballet stars (Ye.Kosmenko, V.Fedotov, S.Lukin, V.Yaremenko) acquired stage experience. The common feature of their masterly performance was the irreproachable school of classical dance (all of them are graduates of the Kiev Choreographic School), with its brilliant virtuoso technique that allowed them to implement the most complex creative vision. At the same time bright and extraordinary scenic individuality of each of the artists helped them to create deep and rich in emotional palette ballet images. Thanks to highly professional works of our outstanding Valery Kovtun, Viktor Litvinov and Nicholas Pryadchenko Ukrainian ballet art became widely known and popular not only within former Soviet space but also in many countries.

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