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The atmosphere of black and white

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I have been doing a little research this morning for a book I am planning with Vladimir Zaglada and our translator, Lupita.

Long ago I found a wonderful website that I loved for its photographs and a brief essay on the nature of choreography. One day, I realised I couldn't find it any more.  I thought it had disappeared. It is a sadness to me that much of the history of Soviet gymnastics is disappearing; for example, try searching for pictures of Elena Shevchenko: there are few that really capture the majesty of her floor performances.

So I was very happy this morning, when I found Natasha's website again, in a truncated version, but including some of the old pictures.  I love the atmosphere of black and white and the sense of history they capture.

The site is the resume of now US-based, former Soviet team choreographer, Natasha Matveeva. Well worth a look and a read for the impressive list of gymnasts with whom she once worked.

Natasha Matveeva, her daughter Anya, and 1989 World Champion, three time Olympian Svetlana Boguinskaia, at Lake Krugloye National Training Centre in about 1989


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  1. Anonymous29 November 2012 at 19:36

    Yekaterina Lobaznyuk had just walked onto the floor at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and waited nervously for her musical cue when NBC commentator Tim Daggett broke the tension with clairvoyance:

    "Russian national coach Matveena, Natashenka says, 'These children--they come to us and together we make a piece of art. This is our life's work.'"

    I had to catch my breath.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown2 April 2014 at 13:07

    This is a quote that I have lived my teaching career by. Beautiful words

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous30 September 2020 at 09:19

    If you ever find the essay about choreography again will you please post it as a future blog entry? I love to read about choreography.

    ReplyDelete

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