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chrisk217

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Everything posted by chrisk217

  1. http://www.theaterkanal.de/fernsehen/monat...rk-city-ballett Three of the unfortunately edited 1973 films. They're not going to win any best-edited-dance-film awards and some of them will have you throwing things at the screen but Balanchinophiles who haven't seen them might be interested, if only for the dancers and the chance to see the 1973 NYCB. Valse Fantaisie is the one with the least intrusive editing and it's a delight (with Leland and Cliffort). Barocco (with McBride, Sumner and Martins) has long streches where the editing is not terribly disorienting esp around the 3rd movement so it's worth sticking through the rought parts (of which there are many)
  2. Wheeldon Petit allegro or grand allegro?
  3. Ami, there is a complete video with Baryshnikov and McBride, part of a 1977 tv program called "Baryshnikov at the White House" (he also dances Harlequinade, Rubies, some Robbins/Chopin dances) Apart from the aforementioned 1966 Villella/McBride video you can see Villella and McBride in the long excerpts from the Man who Dances documentary (which was issued on vhs if i'm not mistaken so it might come up on ebay someday) Also Tarantella was one of the German 1973 Balanchine films, again danced by Villella and McBride. Those films come up on sat tv now and then (the German channel ZDF in particular) so you may find someone who has recorded this. There are also various recent videos with russian trained dancers. Some are good, some are not. The most unfortunate collision with Tarantella was that of Mukhamedov and Yoshida, dancing at a gala for the 400 years of the city of Warsow. A couple of films with Bolshoi dancers also proved rather disappointing. But there are others who are very good, like the lovely Natalia Domracheva in the televised gala of the 2005 Moscow competition who not only rose to the technical challenge but did this with delicious musicallity. Speaking of Kiev dancers there is also an older Kiev broadcast, where Tarantella is danced by Alexei Ratmansky (currently Bolshoi AD) These are the videos I can remember now. I'm sure others will add more. Except for the 1966 Villella/McBride video, all the above have been on tv in the era of the vcr so it's quite possible that you'll be able to find someone with a recording that you can watch.
  4. This recording makes me a little sad - they should have done it 5-10 years before. There are moments of greatness but not the dancer I love here. The production is the Grigorovich one and the video is very very dark.
  5. chrisk217

    Natalia Osipova

    If you have problems with the videos you probably don't have the divx codec installed (needed to decompress the video's data. Even though the .avi extention of the file may seem familiar not all avis are created equal; avi is just a container format) The people who have no problem with the videos probably had the codec installed during an installation of something else video-related. For example installing some players installs (or replaces a prior installation of) a selection of codecs too. To install the codec you have several options. A few easy ones: You could go to http://www.divx.com and click on Free Download. After downloading the file, double click to execute. You don't need to install the divx player if you don't wish to, just the codec will suffice. There was talk in the past (not sure when but more than a couple of years ago) that a version of the divx player had been associated with spy/ad-ware. This has supposedly stopped but one ought to be fully informed to make decisions on such matters. Alternatively you could install ffdshow which takes care not only of divx but numerous other codecs, usual and unusual. ffdshow is free, open source software that can be downloaded from http://sourceforge.net. No player in this case, ffdshow cooperates with windowns media players, winamp etc For the technophobes and the overly cautious there's yet another alternative. Login to your youtube acccount (or create one if you don't have one). Click on upload to upload the offending video taking care to click Private in "Broadcast options" to set the access to private (so that only you can watch - I imagine you wont want to distribute material of which you don't hold the copyright) Wait for it to upload and then watch.
  6. Hope this helps: Aurora: Ekaterina Osmolkina Prince Desire: Andrian Fadeyev Florine: Yulia Bolshakova Bluebird: Anton Korsakov Lilac Fairy: Ekaterina Kondaurova Diamond Fairy: Viktoria Terioshkina Gold Fairy: Yana Selina Sapphire Fairy: Daria Sukhorukova White cat: Xenia Ostreikovskaya Red Riding Hood: Elena Androsova??? Natalia who knows the Mariinsky so much better can perhaps confirm and fill the 2 missing spots (Silver and Cat in Boots). Could not agree more. Although Terioshkina is wonderful, comparatively compact dancers like Komleva, Chistiakova, Sitnikova etc looked more natural in such parts (even when they, too, danced as if their life depended on speed).
  7. With the help of a good friend (thanks jm :blush: ) I finally found a solution to this mystery. The official site is not at the url given by wikipedia but here: http://www.balletcuba.cult.cu/ The new url now appears on the 13th page of google results for the keywords: ballet cuba and on the 3rd page of google results for: Ballet National de Cuba, hopefully it will climb higher as time goes by. If you click on Presentationes you get the program of their tours for 2008. Their tour in my city is December 2008, not December 2007 as wikipedia claimed. A few other points are cleared up by that schedule.
  8. And what a review it is - I clicked to find out which one was the miss (have to entertain my pneumonia somehow) and....
  9. Mel thank you for your gentle reply - I am aware that Fille premiered in Bordeaux. It is hard to think of the history of Coppelia and not think of the turbulent times when it first came to life or the unlucky fate of its young protagonist. The point being that you can associate grim realities to happy works of the imagination if you only try (and indulge in some Presentism ;) ) I hadn't expected people would feel so strongly on this matter. Having family that was stripped of belongings, persecuted and variously dislocated, most to arid lands in Kazakhstan, some to perish in Vladivostok, I had no qualms about enjoying the ballet. I saw the revival as a fitting hommage to the spirit and imagination of the artists who created it and then paid dearly for their political naïveté. I also saw unfolding in front of me, a happy romp taking place in what, despite what that old libretto claims, clearly was balletland and not an actual place in time - so for the space of 90 minutes I left the world's dark history aside and enjoyed. Evidently not everyone thinks this is the proper response - we live in a free world thankfully
  10. By that measure shouldn't we perhaps quibble over Fille mal gardee too? For a ballet that was premiered 14 days before the fall of the Bastille it is uncommonly cheery and light-hearted. Where did all those happy peasants come from? Where is the famine, the ravages of numerous past wars, the social upheaval? And how about Coppelia - premiered just days before the declaration of the 1870 war, one with hundreds of thousands of dead and wounded, and its young ballerina dead at 17 from cholera contracted during the siege of Paris. I admire your sensitivity but there are dark subtexts everywhere - all you have to do is look for them. Being aware of history is essential but it should not prevent us from having our spirits lifted by works of art, especially works of art that are affirmations of happiness created in defiance of the dark realities of human existence. The revival btw does not claim to be a realistic representation of life in a collective. That is hinted throughout the ballet and any relation to reality is abandoned when the giant vegetables roll out.
  11. As far as cute and happy goes, Ashton's Les Rendezvous and Les Patineurs are hard to beat. Although short they are as inventive and fun as Fille. Ratmansky's Bright Stream is also a very happy ballet and has some very cute moments (like the dance of the accordionist with Galya the schoolgirl (synopsis) It would be wrong to say that Napoli is cute and it does contain some temporary heartbreak but its 3rd act is the happiest I've ever been in a theater and it seemed that way for the dancers dancing it too!
  12. rg, your knowledge and recollection of ballet videos is of always impressive!! In this case the Neva Shades are in both the Nuit Blanche and the History of Kirov doc. Trying to locate a vendor for the whole vhs I ended up back at youtube. Apparently this user has also uploaded the whole doc. Search with History and Kirov to locate it. It's worth it for the beautiful old photos (unfortunately they suffer a bit on youtube) but also pertinent to this discussion since there are other short clips of Pavlova also included.
  13. The clip posted is from the documentary "History (or Story?) of the Kirov", translated in russian [ That documentary was about an hour long and covers 200+ years of Mariinsky/Kirov history. I think it used to be available as a vhs. There are few clips in it but, like this one, precious. Ends very memorably with the Shades dancing on the coast of the river Neva ]
  14. The broadcast did include the parts with Lacarra but left out other parts for example the adagio from the Don Q pdd with Feijoo and Boada. Overall it was a strange video - not least because of the horrific editing. I've come across another video of La Prisonierre with Lacarra (with Broeckx(sp?)) that is much better editing-wise. It was in a Petit program that might crop up as a dvd in Japan someday (as a few similar programs already have) but since we mentioned it, I was wondering if you know who is who in Feya Kukol. I'm terrible with faces (esp faces with doll makeup on!) Are there any future well known Kirov/Mariinsky dancers in that video?
  15. Natalia, I think this is not an entirely legal site. Several of the dvds they offer have never been on dvd afaik. For example the Makarova Giselle, Green Table or Feya Kukol (which btw, is not with Larissa Lezhnina and has nothing to do with Markitenka - they seem to have taken the info from the Kirov Classics disk that contains a Feya Kukol excerpt). The Guillem doc which sounds like the Guillem South Bank documentary has been issued in Japan but not with this cover. Others seem like weird compilations. For example the "GALA THEATER CHAMPS ELYSÈE" which has been broadcast on arte and was issued as a dvd in Japan has among its contents several pieces with Alessandra Ferri that come from another arte program, the tribute to Ferri. Seems to me like someone in Brazil decided to put their ballet collection to use. I'd stay away and keep my credit card data away too. Considering all the above I think the Symphonie Fantastic must be the 1996 video with Gaida and Belarbi. That video has been broadcast a few times on sat TV in recent years and perhaps that's where those responsible for this site got it from.
  16. Regarding the second waltz you mention (Odette/Siegfried/corps) perhaps the culprit here is the maestro and not the production. Gergiev takes this at a faster pace than other Kirov/Mariinksy conductors. The difference in tempo is small but crucial. Taken at the usual, slightly slower tempo it can express sadness and tenderness and also a kind of subdued elation (which is very appropriate - wouldn't you feel elated if your loved one, who you thought has abandoned you, was back beside you, even if only for a little while?) Another musical difference is that, in contrast to Gergiev's approach, the melancholy melodic line is usually more pronounced and the waltz rhythm underneath it barely audible. In this interpretation parts that usually sound somber and despondent instead come across as almost upbeat. As for the valse bluette maybe in the Kirov production the swans do not yet know what happened at the palace? In this case there is no reason for them not to waltz until Odette appears with the bad news. Both pieces are lovely music and I would be sad to see them go from this production. After all they were in the 1895 one. Now if someone could do something about Rothbart with the ridiculous hand-behind-the-back and all that writhing and squirming on the floor....
  17. For the fans of Daria Pavlenko it should be noted that she does not dance in this performance regardless of what the cast list says. She was supposed to dance Florine but was replaced by Yulia Bolshakova who is very nice as Dale notes. The TV credits still said Daria Pavlenko though and I'm surprised to see the error perpetuated on the DVD credits (and Bolshakova going without acknowledgement again).
  18. There's Natalia Petrovna from Month in the Country on film, which she created and which has never been the same without her.
  19. thank you! The question remains though because that's the schedule i had. Two weeks before the announced date there is no no official announcement or any trace of advertising in the media here. Odd...
  20. Does anyone know of a working site for BNdC ? I've been visiting this address for the last weeks: http://www.balletcuba.cu/ but the site does not seem to work (it worked fine a few months ago). I'm trying to find out their touring program for the coming months. They were supposed to be around my part of the world from 14th to 30th of December with Don Q and Giselle but there has been no promotion, no ads, no announcements and I'm starting to wonder. If anyone can give a link to their touring schedule or more information it will be very much appreciated.
  21. Sad news Is this generally accepted in ballet circles in France? How much truth is there in the statement? I don't know about France but I'd say it's largely true for Greece especially in regards to the male audience between the ages of 40 and 60. I've lost count of the people over 40 I know who became interested in dance and ballet after watching Bejart in the 60s, 70s and early 80s.
  22. Considering only how beautiful one is, not how beautifully he dances, I think Roberto Bolle is the most handsome dancer: http://www.robertobolle.com Andrian Fadeyev is very good looking too.
  23. Wasn't it in Ashton's Persephone that she recited Gide in french?
  24. Sounds like Bach by Grupo Corpo: http://www.grupocorpo.com.br/en/img/fotos/galeria/17.jpg http://www.grupocorpo.com.br/en/img/fotos/galeria/18.jpg (moderators, sorry for hot-linking the photos but as the site uses innovative navigation it would have been quite difficult to give directions to the photos otherwise. Here's the link to the gallery in any case http://www.grupocorpo.com.br/en/galeria.php)
  25. That would be very sad, esp since as you say you are a traditionalist in such matters. The Sizova/Soloviev Belle may have the benefit of a stellar cast but it also has more than an hour of cuts (and a carabosse en pointe). Go buy the Kolpakova/Berezhnoy video. It's a good production and you NEED to see a proper stage video of this ballet - this is the most glorious ballet of all! Kolpakova was the pre-eminent Kirov Aurora of her generation and even though she's more than 50 in that video you can still see why. Let's hope however that an earlier video (perhaps the one with Solovyov) will someday be availlable on dvd. There are wonderful soloists in the later video, most notably Komleva as Diamond fairy. You should also get a Royal Ballet video of Sleeping Beauty - but for this wait until the recent Alina Cojocaru recording becomes availlable on DVD - it wont be long now hopefully... There already is a video of a complete Royal Ballet production with Viviana Durante from the early 90s. Her technique is impressive but her interpretation a bit dry (imho) She, and everyone else in this production, is overshadowed by the skewed, weirdly scaled stage design and the distracting costumes. This production has figured prominently in all our ghastly-sets-and-costumes threads over the years. If you decide to see even more of Sleeping Beauty on video there are others you could also consider: There is the black and white video of Fonteyn. It was filmed for tv, in the late 50s, on a cramped studio and is not complete. Frederick Ashton is Carabosse. Fonteyn was one of the greatest Auroras, radiant with joy, dancing with graceful poetic phrasing, delicate beautiful port de bras, steely balance. Some of it does come through in this film despite the not ideal filming conditions and bad video quality. There is also a video of Fonteyn in the 3rd act from the 60s but it's not as good. The Lezhina/Ruzhimatov/Kirov is also very good. Lezhnina has incredibly beautiful classical line and was reportedly coached by Kolpakova herself. But she is very young in this video and many would object to Ruzimatov as a classical prince. Lezhnina despite her youth has many memorable moments but I can't help but think how lovely she would have been 10 years after this recording. Most other roles are filled with wonderful soloists. There is also a Kirov recording with Assylmuratova and Zakhlinsky but it's not availlable on DVD(?). You could also consider the Paris Opera version. Pros: the beautiful Aurelie Dupont and Manuel Legris, both ideal for the roles of Aurora and her prince - hard to think of a better cast in Paris (perhaps Platel would be equally good). Also: sets and costumes that are very easy on the eye. The tutus are gorgeous and beautifully detailed. Cons: Nureyev choreography. This is a big and for many insurmountable disadvantage. Unlike his Bayadere which is quite close to the Kirov production he has messed with the choreography of Belle considerably. Another notable video is the Sofianne Sylve/Het National Ballet. The production by Peter Wright is very good. Sofianne Sylve is an untraditional Aurora a bit lacking perhaps in grace and delicacy but she brings a modern edge and a delightful athleticism to Aurora. I did not enjoy the Bolshoi DVD although many people I know did. I felt it is not a ballet for the Bolshoi especially at that particular time in their history but maybe that's a personal prejudice. In the future, aside from an earlier recording of Kolpakova and the recent Cojocaru one, I'd love to see on DVD the old Gregory/Bujones tv broadcast and not only because of Bujones. The production is better that some recent ones and despite every expectation to the contrary I enjoyed Gregory's precise and secure Aurora very much. I also hope someone will film Vishneva soon. She's not my ideal Aurora but there is no denying she is one the most exciting current dancers in the role. There is already a La Scala tv broadcast of her but between the Nureyev choreography and her mustard tutu it was kind of a letdown.
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