Erik Bruhn - The Prince's Solo, Act 1, 'Swan Lake'

I first saw this hauntingly beautiful solo danced by Rudolph Nureyev with the Royal Ballet in London in the early 1970s.

There was strong criticism of Nureyev for adding this solo in the mid 1960s to the Royal's very traditional version of this work - until the dancer revealed he had taken it from an early Kirov production.

I was delighted to recently see this performance by Erik Bruhn, the dancers' dancer, and have been wondering, given that Bruhn and Nureyev were great friends at this period, whether the Danish dancer didn't add it to whatever production this is as a tribute to their relaltionship, or because the choreography seemed 'right' to him.

The elegance and refinement with which Bruhn excutes the steps is breath-taking, the musicality delicious, the line gorgeous ... I could go on ... and on here!

It'd be great to hear from anyone knows anything more about this solo.

Enjoy!