Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova

by Alexandra Danilova

The author recalls her childhood in Leningrad, her education, and her career as a ballerina

Genres: Memoir

213 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1986

About the author

Russian-American woman Alexandra Danilova from 1938 danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo to 1952.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexand...

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danilova (Choura is a nickname for her first name, Alexandra) had a rough start. She was orphaned at a young age and passed around among relatives. She became a boarding student at the Maryinsky in St. Petersburg at a young age and she and Balanchine were among the promising ballet students there. Life became extremely difficult for young dancers after the revolution. They were not only starved for food, but chafed under the strict ideas about dance. Danilova left Russia with Balanchine and a few others to pursue dancing in Europe. Her memoir sheds light on Balanchine's early days as a choreographer for Diaghilev. Everyone knew there was something special about him and Danilova describes how he would create dances. They were romantically paired for a few years but did not marry. Danilova went on to have a long career in America with various dance groups and ended up teaching at Balanchine's School of American Ballet. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on her philosophy of teaching.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected. Mme Danilova is someone I "knew" but really had no idea who she really was. I knew her history, but didn't realize the richness of all the details. It is rather mind blowing to think about being a student during the Russian Revolution. I knew she worked with Balanchine, but didn't realize they were intimately involved. I loved how she talks about how he created some of his early works (Apollo, etc.) I loved how she talked about some of the dancers he worked with in later years--not in any kind of snarky way--but as a way of explaining him and the evolution of dance. She did this with some of the other notables that she hob-nobbed with and I found it all quite fascinating. I also loved how she talked about some of the technical aspects of ballet but did it in a way to explain her relationship to dance and in a broader sense, life. I loved her perspectives on modern ballet and dance because she truly was one of the movers and shakers of popular ballet. It was just a fun, easy, delightful read. I found some old clips of her dancing on Youtube, and she truly was an artist. I am so glad I picked up this book to get to know her better.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of ballet memoirs. I have read several books on Balanchine, and it was interesting to read about Alexandra Danilova, because they were brought up during the same time period in Russia. While the history lesson was enjoyable, what really made this book worthwhile for me was reading the last two chapters where she talks about her teaching philosophy and experience. I loved reading this. Danilova as a renowned teacher at Balanchine's school. Her memory of historical ballet repetoire was so valuable to Balanchine and others.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable and perfect and passionate and intelligent and romantic and its gonna be the most perfect coffee table book in my apartment one day I love it

[Margot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining book.
Alexandra Danilova was a Russian dancer who fled Russia after the Revolution. She was with George Balanchine (her lover) and a small group of dancers. They went on tour to Germany (that is why they were allowed to leave). She danced with "Les Ballets Russes" and later she taught at the School of American Ballet (SAB) founded by George Balanchine in New York City.
I was mesmerized by the way about evenings spent in a small appartment with Balanchine, Cocteau, Ravel, Picasso, Stravinsky! She said she never realized that they were making history. They were just a bunch of young people exchanging ideas about art and creating.
Her explanations about some parts of the classical repertoire (the fairy godmothers in Sleeping Beauty for example) are very informative.
I really loved this book.

[Kathleen]

Enchanting and educational - she trained in Russia and dance with Diaghilev and other greats.