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No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.
Mikhail Baryshnikov
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote expresses admiration for Fred Astaire's unparalleled talent, suggesting that his greatness makes others feel inadequate in their own pursuits.

Mikhail Baryshnikov's quote reflects a deep appreciation for the extraordinary skill of Fred Astaire in dance. It conveys the idea that witnessing such brilliance can evoke feelings of self-doubt or inspire reflection on one's own path, implying that Astaire's artistry is so profound that it raises the bar for all dancers and performers. It speaks to the influence of exceptional talent on one’s perception of their own abilities and aspirations.

Themes

DanceTalentAdmirationPerforming ArtsInspiration

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech praising dancers at an awards ceremony.

More from Mikhail Baryshnikov

I found that dance, music, and literature is how I made sense of the world... it pushed me to think of things bigger than life's daily routines... to think beyond what is immediate or convenient.
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It's weird when you see pieces of choreography that were done for you 15 or 20 years ago and now they are being done by another dance company.
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I miss horribly those couple of hours before the performance when you get into the theater and you see people.
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There comes a moment in a young artist's life when he knows he has to bring something to the stage from within himself. He has to put in something in order to be able to take something.
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Dancing is my obsession. My life.
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If your only dance experience is the Nutcracker, it will be a shock; hopefully shocking in a good way.
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