Rudolf Nureyev

Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (Tatar/Bashkir: Рудольф Хәмит улы Нуриев) (Russian: Рудо́льф Хаме́тович Нуре́ев) (17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993) was a Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer. Nureyev is regarded by some as the greatest male ballet dancer of his generation.

Rudolf Nureyev in 1973

Quotes

• For me, purity of movement wasn't enough. I needed expression, more intensity, more mind.
  • "Nureyev: A Life That Changed The Face Of Dance" in Orlando Sentinel (10 January 1993)

• Technique is what you fall back on when you run out of inspiration.
  • "Rudolf Nureyev’s Technical Influence"

• The main thing is dancing, and before it withers away from my body, I will keep dancing till the last moment, the last drop.
  • As quoted in 1990, "Rudolf Nureyev, Charismatic Dancer Who Gave Fire to Ballet's Image, Dies at 54" in The New York Times (7 January 1993)

• You live because you dance, you dance as long as you live.
  • "Recurring Topics in Nureyev’s Ballets"

• I would be ready to take over tomorrow. But first of all, all fat and lazy members of the troupe would have to be thrown out.
  • "Rudolf Nurejew" in Der Spiegel (19 October 1980)

• Musicals gave the U.S. an ethnic culture that undoubtedly influenced ballet.
  • Gervaso, Roberto. La mosca al naso, Rizzoli Editore (1980)

• I think dancers are paid not for what they do, but for the fear they feel. What you do is probably not that difficult: you just get on stage. It is, however, fear that gives you the push.
  • Gervaso, Roberto. La mosca al naso, Rizzoli Editore (1980)

• It is always thought that he gave more than what he received, but to give something, you must have something inside.
  • Gervaso, Roberto. La mosca al naso, Rizzoli Editore (1980)

• Everyone would like to be the greatest, but God cannot bestow that honor on everyone.
  • Gervaso, Roberto. La mosca al naso, Rizzoli Editore (1980)

About Rudolf Nureyev

• Rudolf was an unusual man of all respects, instictive, intelligent, constant curiosity, extraordinary discipline, that was his goal in life and of course love of performing. He loved strong women, loyal men and he loved his life. I learned a lot from him although we are very different performers. I will miss him for the rest of my life. That's for sure.
  • Mikhail Baryshnikov, "Baryshnikov’s Tribute To Nureyev

• Nureyev had an iron will and was totally dedicated to his art. He became the highest paid ballet dancer in the world, he made ballet popular, he became the rock-star of ballet, he changed male dancing in the classics making the part of the male dancer the equal of the ballerina; he created a new approach to ballet erasing the differences between classical ballet and modern dancing.
  • Hélène Ciolkovitch, "I Will Be The Greatest Dancer In The World! By Hélène Ciolkovitch"

• His death hurt us deep inside. I had known him for more than thirty years. We were friends. And yet, I am not sure we showed him enough recognition or gratitude. Did we tell him how unique he was? Did we thank him enough for the emotion he gave us? Did we prove our admiration and love as we should have? I don’t know. What I do know now is that we are alone, that the irreparable has happened and that a brilliant dancer has gone forever.
  • Pierre Bergé, "Source"

• Rudolf is there in my mind. I can still hear his voice, his wheeze, every time I correct a dancer. Just as he, when he corrected us, could probably hear the words of his own teacher in his head.
  • Charles Jude, "Source"