Found this waiting for me in the TiVo this weekend, seems like ballet hasn't been on Great Performances much in the past few years, I have an auto-record for anything with ballet in the description... this basically results is a couple bad TV movies and children programing Anyway! I was taken by the intimacy this approach gave, unfortunately my mind did wander during the extended modern/contemporary type performances that I just don't "get". A view on the administrative side was very interesting, from what we saw it seems to be run quite well indeed! Watching the choreographic process is always engaging and sometimes can provide at least some insight as to what all I'm supposed to be understanding that invariably I would miss otherwise.
I watched it all again after reading this thread so I could keep track a little better who was rehearsing what, things that ended up in performance.. I think there is great value in taking it all in without tracking everything - as an experience, but I needed another viewing to really make the connection of the evolution of rehearsal to performance (on my little TV and not being familiar with POB dancers, everyone looks about the same to me) and let's face it, I wanted to see again some selections of quite exquisite technique.
The Medea piece when it got to the part to the children I found quite shocking and moving, but as it slowly moved on, the moment was lost to me. I enjoyed the selections from Paquita, appreciated the lovely corps work which I often miss when trying to divide my attention.
And thank you Paul for pointing out Ms. Thesmar's La Sylphide, I have that tape and something always struck me about it. A light and supple quality to the petit allegro, the style and execution hit my sweet spot for sure.
