pherank

This made me laugh. ;) In the Wheeldon version, mama becomes an enormous tree!

Ballet schools are made up of children who, generally, do not come from lower Manhattan. ;) In fact, the US ballet companies are made up of people from every corner of the US: Sara Mearns - South Carolina, David Hallberg - South Dakota, Isabella Boylston - Idaho, Misty Copeland - Missouri, Tiler Peck - Bakersfield CA, Carrie Imler, Joseph Walsh, Vanessa Zahorian, Ashley Bouder - Pennsylvania, Sterling Hyltin, Jared Matthews, Sara Webb - Texas, and on and on. The fear for many conservative people is that these programs are propaganda coming from the 'elites'. But I see no problem with showing mainly local fair, such as broadcasting dance programs put on by the University of Oklahoma School of Dance for that area of the country. And inevitably, there will also be some broadcasts of the big companies (e.g. Mariinsky, POB, ABT), and old classic ballet performances, mixed in with the local fair. Over time, people will get used to it - all over again. Netfilx should market a series similar to the 1950s Canadian Broadcasting Company broadcasts of NYCB. Jack: it was the Maurice Sendak version that was being televised.

Strange things happen - right now I'm watching the PNB's Nutcracker on a non-PBS station in Southern California. Naturally there were no advance promotions of this broadcast. Given the size of the adult North American ballet audience, and all the children enrolled in ballet schools, plus all manner of professionals working in the dance world, there are plenty of people to sign electronic petitions asking for more opportunities to watch dance programs on TV and the Internet. Whew, that was a long sentence. Netflix and Amazon should get involved in creating ballet performance series too.

Yuan Yuan Tan TED Talk Shanghai: My Life as a Ballerina The first half is in Chinese: we get to see some images of YYT as a child. In the second half of the presentation there are dance clips (this part is in English - perhaps originally there were two presentations, one in Chinese, one in English). YYT mentions that a documentary about Possokhov's Raku is being made! Twelve minutes of Esmeralda Grand Pas de Deux with Yuan Yuan Tan and Felipe Diaz(!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhUZe88KuHM SFB's Othello with Yuan Yuan Tan and Desmond Richardson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRnhN_2eDus Now and Then by John Neumeier Yuan Yuan Tan Vito Mazzeo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7pOO9OUxt0 Carmen solo dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9qQEXbe7M Yuan Yuan Tan & Friedemann Vogel Swan Lake Pas de Deux https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGUk3qgpkC4 Swan Lake adagio Yuan Yuan Tan and José Martinez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8xPAUm8pts Short YYT documentary with English subtitles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRGFDNTsgbo COACH commercial with YYT - "Embrace Revolving Time and Dance to a Wonderful Life" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OGihgZWWEI A very Chinese aesthetic with dollops of capitalism. ;)

It's that time of the year when SFB and other ballet companies are trying to raise money for, among other things, their schools. New Corps dancer Natasha Sheehan talks about her experiences with the SFB school and as a trainee. Natasha is the latest female winner of the Erik Bruhn prize. When one considers that pretty much all winners eventually become principal dancers, she is one to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7WLr070ynY

I knew it was coming, but I was thinking end of the 2017 season. Congratulations to Sasha.

That's great news, so I don't really believe it - PBS will substitute something else at the last minute.

I've had no problems with the VIA DVDs - as long as they definitely say "Region 1" authorized. I just looked at my DVDs and they all say "Region 0" (all regions), which I believe just means they contain no special encoding or security software to interfere with playback on DVD players made for a particular region. It's always possible that an old DVD machine will not play some more recent releases (the electronics industry never stops changing things).

I'm updating this thread with the following information: As of 2016, the only commercially available complete version of Serenade is on Balanchine: New York City Ballet in Montreal, Vol.1 (DVD). Waltz Ballerina: Diana Adams Russian Ballerina: Patricia Wilde Dark Angel: Yvonne Mounsey Elegy Cavalier: Jacques d’Amboise Waltz Cavalier: Herbert Bliss Filmed on a small TV stage (probably a cement floor), it is still quite magical and intense. Recommended. Former NYCB dancer and choreographer John Clifford has posted the 1990's version, from the Balanchine in America TV series (with Darci Kistler, Kyra Nichols, Maria Calegari, Adam Luders, and Leonid Koslov) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd9R9S6-9E4 The version shot for German TV was also available today on YouTube, but now seems to be gone (it probably was not one of Clifford's videos). That is the version with Karin von Aroldingen, Susan Hendl, Sara Leland, Kay Mazzo, Jean-Pierre Bonnefous, and Peter Martins. And despite the terrible editing and visual effects, is well worth watching - the company was dancing on a very high level during those sessions. If it reappears among John Clifford's videos I will post the link. EDIT: Mr. Clifford put me on to these links for the German braodcast performance: Serenade Part 1 and Part 2

Sentimental fare is OK with me at the holiday time. ;) I will echo most of the past choices - The more adult-oriented ones: Remember the Night The Shop Around the Corner The Nightmare Before Christmas A Christmas Carol (1951) Meet Me in St. Louis It’s a Wonderful Life Miracle on 34th Street (1947) The Bishop’s Wife Holiday Inn / White Christmas (I can watch both of these over and again) Youth-oriented: Hans Brinker (The Silver Skates) A Christmas Story Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (though I don't like the newer version with 'adjusted' color) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer A Charlie Brown Christmas And The Nutcracker, naturally, by various companies.

PR Moment: Basketball MVP Stephen Curry brings family to see Nutcracker https://www.instagram.com/p/BOIRZBthnNj/?taken-by=sfballet https://www.instagram.com/p/BOGwoR6A_p0/?taken-by=sashadesola And here's Sasha De Sola giving a personal demonstration for Curry's daughter (Nutcracker cuteness alert) https://www.instagram.com/p/BOIO2mYAHjg/?taken-by=sashadesola

My apologies if this has been posted before - a documentary about the Vaganova School entrance exams: Dance of the Little Swans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXPtmai0r-E&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs "The documentary gives us a behind the scenes view of the harsh realities of the child dancers hoping to get admitted to the famous Vaganova Ballet Academy in St.Petersburg."

Paul Parish review of the opening night cast: http://www.ebar.com/arts/art_article.php?sec=dance&article=279 He felt that the acting of the supporting/character actors hadn't gelled yet (but it's true that they will get lots of practice!): "...the interplay of the aunts and uncles and children in the party always gets better as the run gets going. It was a rather messy hubbub on opening night, but it will get smoother as the company finds the groove" But seemed pleased with the soloists throughout: "Make no mistake: the end of the first act is dangerously exciting; the dancers are flying through the air in grand jetes on a stage that's so thick with whirling white flakes that you can hardly see them, and nobody looks scared. Our French ballerina Mathilde Froustey made a triumphant debut as the Queen of the Snow, perhaps the most brilliant performance of that role that I have ever seen, cutting her figures sharply, with a silhouette as knife-like and gleaming as a diamond's. The dance is all about crystals, and she as the central figure epitomized the idea of geometric clarity."

Working Out with Mathilde Froustey http://dancemagazine.com/inside-dm/magazine/working-mathilde-froustey/ Her training regimen is detailed: Injury Management, Pre-Performance Checklist and 'Cardio Commute'

An interesting article about silent film director Lois Weber appears in the NYT - Anna Pavlova was one of her featured stars (pictured). Lois Weber, Eloquent Filmmaker of the Silent Screen http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/15/movies/lois-weber-eloquent-filmmaker-of-the-silent-screen.html

Yes, she does, thankfully, and her appearances are reduced down to a manageable number to allow for a long graceful exit. ;) It's going to be sad when the announcement does comes. I predict Feijoo will retire first, then Tan. And Tan's retirement will be a heavy blow - there won't be a dry eye in the house. The outside world doesn't know how integral she has been to both Tomasson and Possokhov's choreographic process.

The telling part of Macaulay's article for me was this point: "The Nutcracker is usually refreshing because it’s the only Romantic ballet that’s not about romantic love — but Mr. Wheeldon and Mr. Selznick have given us two romantic affairs." It may not seem like much, but this does completely alter the original dynamic of the ballet (and what allows it to speak to children so successfully). Originally, the concession made to adults was to have Clara/Maria dance with the Nutcracker/Prince in the Grand Pas de Deux (and in some productions Clara is "transformed" into her adult self to do so). But I've never seen this dance portrayed in a truly romantic or sexual way - it's always been a display of traditional balletic technique, and not any kind of plot development scene (I'm thinking of the more traditional versions, not complete re-imaginings like Morris' Hard Nut). Young children do get bored if there's too much pure dance and not enough exuberant storytelling.

I was just reading Macaulay's review of the Wheeldon/Joffrey Nutcracker, and it certainly sounds visually interesting, if not engaging. However, more is more with Wheeldon as he explores full-evening ballet structures. This all sounds similar to his Cinderella (down to the integral Basil Twist stage effects).

And Sasha looking lovely: https://instagram.fsan1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/t51.2885-15/e35/15538545_1252647861440268_8248669328317087744_n.jpg And Koto: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-86KQgvdG/?taken-by=koko21

It looks like the asterisk has been removed from Jahna's name on the web page, so someone caught that little mistake. The main thing is, she is going to dance SPF. Aaron Robison is also debuting in this production as Nutcracker/Prince and Snow King. And same for Hansuke Yamamoto as Nutcracker/Prince. I'm sure I probably said this before: Pascal Molat should now be a "Principal Character" artist. I hope he continues to hang around (post retirement) and officially work in this capacity. Found a new Nutcracker-related video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN8IIdYhRnr/?taken-by=lapetitefrench_ Masha with Vitor Luiz being coached by Marat Daukayev in LA: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN545C5jNCs/?taken-by=balletrusse Just for laughs: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN72G7zjWdu/?taken-by=balletrusse Dores Andre's reaction to performing the Nutcracker, again: https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/14540395_256257014793753_7757165760727744512_n.jpg

I see now that ex-Pennsylvania Ballet dancer Elizabeth Mateer will be both Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen (debut), and Jahna Frantziskonis will be debuting as SPF - good for Jahna. Julia Rowe and Angelo Greco will be dancing together in the Grand Pas (debuts). Toi toi toi.

In Helgi Tomasson's version for SFB, the "Pine Forest" music is used during the transformation of the Nutcracker from wooden toy to living man: Clara is afraid that the Nutcracker may have been killed by the Mouse King, but Drosselmeier assures her that is not so (in mime), and awakens the Nutcracker. Drosselmeier then removes the Nutcracker's costume head and outer jacket to reveal his human self. The Prince/Nutcracker performs a solo (presumably joyful at becoming a living man) and briefly partners Clara. Then on Drosselmeier's 'magical' bidding, the Snow King and Queen enter the stage on a crystal sleigh. The really grand, welling portion of the "pine forest" score is used as a transition and introduction of the Snow K & Q. It actually works quite well - the lack of a "pine forest" never really bothered me. Go to 35:20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9eUYZBo66A In some productions this music seems to be referred to as "The Christmas Tree".

Allan Ulrich posted a generally enthusiastic review of opening night: http://www.sfchronicle.com/performance/article/SFB-s-Nutcracker-glitters-with-timeless-10789150.php Unfortunately, he writes that Davit is still injured, and Calos Quenedit partnered Vanessa Zahorian. It may have been a last-minute substitution. Karapetyan mentioned a couple months ago online that he had a back injury, and those can be very nagging. Btw, congratulations to Vanessa on reaching her 20th year anniversary with SFB. "This performance featured familiar faces in the major parts. There was one debut and it was a dazzler. Mathilde Froustey whizzed through the Queen of the Snow with such speed and airiness, especially in her extended jetės, that her performance seemed like a re-creation of the Great Blizzard of ’48. Carlo Di Lanno (mercifully promoted to principal) served as the French ballerina’s consort, and he’s a terrifically caring partner." I can't resist posting this image: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7c8GbBRDN/?taken-by=sfballet I wonder if Koto Ishihara was a substitute in the GPdD - I didn't think she was originally listed on that day. And here's another: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7rK5oBhxs/?taken-by=sfballet

A new NYT article has some interesting things to say about the Dylan controversy: Dylan, Polite? It Ain’t Him, Babe http://http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/arts/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-sweden.html "Mr. Dylan’s absence, however, does seem consistent with his general approach. “He’s behaved so strangely for so many years that if he would show up now and be cheerful and pleased, you’d be surprised,” said Daniel Sandstrom, the literary director at the publisher Albert Bonniers. Also, he said, Mr. Dylan’s politeness (or not) should have no bearing on whether he deserves to win the prize. “It would be very bad to award it just to nice people,” he said." Dylan has been a thorn in the side of 'the Establishment' for approximately 65 years, so it's interesting how many people continue to feel he should be changed, and humbled, by the various accolades he receives. But it's been pretty clear that awards don't mean a great deal to him.

That IS depressing. Rest in peace, Greg. He had gotten to be really heavy, and it definitely looked like some kind of big health issue (besides simply over-eating). Apparently he had some type of cancer, but I haven't seen any details on that.