Ekaterina Maksimova
Acting
Biography
Ekaterina Sergeevna Maximova (Russian: Екатерина Сергеевна Максимова; 1 February 1939 – 28 April 2009) was a Soviet and Russian ballerina of the second part of the 20th century who was internationally recognised. She was a prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre for 30 years, a ballet pedagogue, People's Artist of the USSR and Russian Federation, winner of international ballet competitions, Laureate of many prestigious International and Russian awards, a professor in GITIS, Honorary professor at the Moscow State University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, and an Executive Committee member of the Russian Center of Counseil International De La Danse, UNESCO. Maximova was born in Moscow on 1 February 1939 to a highly educated family. Her maternal grandfather was Gustav Shpet, a Russian philosopher, historian of philosophy, psychologist, art theoretician, and interpreter (he knew 17 languages) of German-Polish descent. Her mother Tatiana Maximova (née Shpet) was a journalist and publishing house editor and her father Sergey Maximov was an engineer. She was admitted to Moscow Ballet School (now Moscow Ballet Academy) and the age of 10 and the same year as her future partner and husband Vladimir Vasiliev. Their ballet partnership started at school. Former ballerina of Mariinsky Ballet Elizaveta Gerdt was Maximova's instructor at the ballet school. Maximova graduated from Moscow ballet school in 1958 and joined Bolshoi Ballet the same year. She won first prize at the National Ballet competition in 1957 while still a ballet student. Maximova's first ballet as a Bolshoi ballet dancer was The Stone Flower (in the leading role of Katerina). Her performance was so impressive that she was chosen to go on the first Bolshoi tour in the US in 1959. The American press called her "a little elf" and complemented her technique, grace and artistic style even though legendary Galina Ulanova was the real sensation of that tour. Later Ulanova became Maximova's ballet coach in the Bolshoi for many years. In 1961, as a young ballerina Maximova starred along with Vladimir Vasiliev in the film for European and American viewers The USSR with an Open Heart, where they played ballet dancers. The premiere took place in Paris, France where Maximova and Vasiliev arrived as newlyweds. According to ballet professionals, Maximova possessed ideal ballet body lines, effortless jumps and spins and flawless technical clarity. She started as a lyrical ballerina dancing title roles in classical ballets Giselle, Nutcracker (Marie), Fountain of Bakhchisarai (Maria), Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), but extended her breathtaking artistic talent and technical virtuosity through her hard work and devotion to her art. This enabled her to widen her artistic range with playful Kitri (Don Quixote), comic Eliza Doolittle (Galatea) and dramatic roles of Juliet, Phrigia (Spartacus), Anyuta (Chekov's story "Anna on the neck") Tatiana (Onegin) that tested her dramatic skills as an actress most completely. Maximova seriously injured her spine during a rehearsal in 1975 and some doctors did not believe that she would walk again, but she returned on the stage in 1976. ... Source: Article "Ekaterina Maximova" from Wikipedia in english, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
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Champs-Elysées
Le Grand Échiquier is a French variety television program created and presented by Jacques Chancel. It aired at 8:30 pm on the first channel of the ORTF from January 12, 1972 to July 12, 1972, then on the second color channel of the ORTF from September 1972 to December 1974, and finally on Antenne 2 from January 1975 to December 21, 1989. The program returned to France 2 on December 20, 2018 and is hosted by Anne-Sophie Lapix.
Le Grand Échiquier
Prima-ballerina Elena Knyazeva prepares for her performance on the anniversary jubilee for the theater Swan Lake on the eve of her fiftieth birthday and simultaneously participates in the production of the innovative ballet Master and Margarita. Suddenly, the choreographer gives the role of a young ballerina, with whom he begins an affair. Overcoming jealousy and desperation, Knyazeva begins to work with the student over the image of Margarita
Fouetté
A look behind the scenes at the Bolshoi Theatre. This feature-length ballet film explores the Russian school of realistic dance and highlights the immense daily effort that goes into an artist’s preparation before they take to the stage. Chronicles the arduous journey to mastery: from the first lessons of the kids who joined the ballet class, to the performances of famous dancers – the public’s idols, who have already mastered the magical lightness and beauty of choreography, the pinnacle of this art.
The Secret of Success
Stella and Sid, seaside dancers, perform a dangerous circus act. After a conversation with an old entertainer, Stella is afraid to jump, requiring a decision.
Gigolo and Gigolette
Anniversary evening of the legend of the Soviet ballet, People's Artist of the USSR Galina Ulanova. It is dedicated to the actress' 70th anniversary and was held at the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of the USSR, in 1980.
Nutcracker. Anniversary Evening of Ballet Legend Galina Ulanova
Anniversary evening dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the State Academic Puppet Theater under the direction of S.Obraztsov and the 80th anniversary of Sergei Obraztsov.
50 Years of Sergei Obraztsov's Puppet Theater
Bolshoi Ballet stars Vladimir Vasiliev and Ekaterina Maximova dance this 1982 performance of "Anyuta," the story of a small-town woman who purposely marries above her social status only to learn that popularity comes with a price. Maximova performs the role of Anyuta; Vasiliev plays Anyuta's drunk father.
Anyuta
A promotional concert film made for promoting and introducing Moscow to foreigners.
Moscow in Notes
On Christmas Eve, Marie receives an enchanted toy as a gift from her uncle Albert. At night, it comes to life and engages in an unequal battle with the mouse army and their formidable king. Staged by Yuri Grigorovich for the Bolshoi Theatre in 1977.
Nutcracker
Live from the Bolshoi Theatre, this 1978 remake of the two-act classical Christmas ballet blends Tchaikovsky's beloved melodies with superb dancing. Famed Bolshoi duo Yekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev star in this production of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet, The Nutcracker. Maximova dances the role of Maria, the young girl whose mysterious uncle Drosselmeyer gives her a wooden nutcracker (Vasiliev) for Christmas. When he comes to life, she rescues him from marauding mice and is taken to the Kingdom of Sweets.
The Nutcracker
Based on Anton Chekhov's story "Anna on the Neck". Anyuta is just a weak woman who is drawn to the holiday, she wants fun, and she takes the imaginary for the genuine, tinsel for the real glow of happiness.
Anyuta
The action takes place in a circus, where a girl dreams of performing in a real performance, but she is met by different people who personify good, evil, and envy. The performance opens miraculously. A lovely ballerina appears above the circus arena on a hanging trapeze, like a white bird...
Trapezium
The film ballet based on the play by Bernard Shaw "Pygmalion" to the music of Timur Kogan. For the first time, an attempt was made to translate the play into the language of choreography. And although the musical “F. My Fair Lady” was taken as the basis, the choreographer D. Bryantsev and director A. Belinsky offered a completely original interpretation of the famous work - classical ballet dancers act as real dramatic actors.
Galateya
A documentary on the life of the legendary ballet reconstructionist, Pierre Lacotte and his wife and longtime dance partner Ghislaine Thesmar.
A Life for Ballet
"Oh, ballet, how I hate you!" - the film begins here and ends with burning confession of love for ballet. They say that to go from hatred to love takes just one step. In fact - thousands of daily steps. And 52 minutes of film.
Prisoners of Terpsichore
A young thief rushes down the street, fleeing from pursuit. In the square, he encounters a girl who is wandering listlessly. She has just lost her job and does not know what to do. The thief takes her to a back alley, where they swap clothes....
Old Tango
A ballet film based on the plots of films and set to music by Charles Spencer Chaplin.
Chapliniana
Young ballet artists from across the Soviet Union showcase their skills at the All-Union Festival of Choreographic Schools.
When the Spirit Soars in Flight
This programme is dedicated to the work of the outstanding choreographer Kasyan Goleizovsky. Featured ballet dancers include Natalya Danilova, Olga Pavlova, F. Gil'fanov, M. Rativosyan, Natalia Bessmertnova, Alexander Lavrenyuk, Natalya Bolshakova, Vadim Gulyaev, Natalia Kasatkina, T. Varlamova, Shamil Yagudin, Semyon Kaufman, Ekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vasiliev, T. Cherkasskaya, Viktor Kasatsky, Yelena Ryabinkina, Vladimir Romanenko, Mikhail Lavrovsky, M. Gorodskaya, Ella Kosterina.