toeprints

Great topic. I use the library for the newer dvd's, or borrow from friends. I own all of Rudolf Nureyev's (I think); plus, I have tapes that I made from PBS. I purchased them from Amazon, Kulture, and the old Ballet Shop, in New York.

Other than Nureyev's, I have:

La Bayadere - Hilaire and Guerin

Firestone Theater compilation

Der Fledermaus - with Cragun and Panov - my tape from PBS in 1989

Baryshnikov Dances Balachine, with the ABT - my tape from PBS

What a pity PBS rarely airs ballet - well, in Boston anyway.

Today is the anniversary of the passing from life of Rudolf Nureyev in 1993.

I treasure his performances of the 1960's most and acknowledge his triumphant career as dancer, choreographer and company director.

It is so hard to believe that it has been 17 years since Rudolf's passing. He will dance on forever in our hearts and memories.

To quote Rudi Van Dantzig: "The star has gone; its light is still visible." A very poignant comment.

I treasure Rudolf's performances during the 70's and 80's. I traveled quite a bit to see him dance, and he always delivered a great performance. I didn't expect him to leap as high as he did in his 20's, as so many others, including critics, did. His overwhelming dedication and passion will never be repeated.

Happy, healthy 2010 to everyone. Thank you for another fascinating year.

Nureyev's version. Breathtaking! When he tossed Merle Park into the air - twice - I was in shock. His entire choreography was the best and most exciting that I've ever seen.

This is a wonderful DVD. I knew very little about "Marco Spada," and this ballet is a joy (except for the very end when Marco dies - I didn't see that one coming!).

The dancing is superb and energetic, with a lot of unusual (to me, anyway) combinations in the variations. Rudi and Ghislaine were exquisite. It's obvious Rudi had a great time, thoroughly enjoying himself dancing this role; and he danced a lot - to a very enthusiastic and appreciative Rome audience.

There are an awful lot of long range camera shots, presumably because so many dancers were on stage 80% of the time! Most of the costumes were beautiful. Pierre Lacotte shares wonderful memories about creating this ballet with Rudi. It is a treat to have a different ballet on film.

I appreciate everyone's comments. Volcanohunter, you did a wonderful job of giving a breakdown of what seems to be silliness personified - a "celestial reunion?" What is wrong with these "film" producers? Nico does sound totally wrong for this role. Glad I missed it - I probably would have thrown my shoes at the tv!

Wonderful news, Leonid. Thank you for the information.

Thank you for that info. I am curious about the film, although I still cannot fathom a non-ballet person portraying Rudi. I guess I really need to keep an open mind!

The film will be on Canadian tv on December 1, 2009, at 9 P.M., on the Canadian Bravo channel. No report about the U.S. Bravo airing the film. I hope some of the Canadian members will give us a critique.

My favorite Giselle is Nureyev and Carla Fracci, filmed in 1980, with the Rome Ballet. Available from Amazon! It's a live performance, with fabulous curtain calls!

I wished I lived in Canada! Please let us know about the show. I know that it appeared on French tv in January (or December); but all the reviews I saw were in French.

hey im tyron im new, i really like ballet but unfortunitly couldn't really take it through out my younger years due to certain factors, i have also quite an intrest in photography and love ballet photogrophy as its never a dull thing theres always something really awesome going on,

Hello Tyron; It's nice to meet you. I know you will really enjoy this site as it is filled with wonderful people and information.

Thank you Volcanohunter and Dale. I checked Tower.com and Barnes & Noble - they also advertise it, at $40.00 and $45.00, respectively. No mention of "product unavailable" either.

DVD appears to be discontinued! I just checked my pre-order at Amazon - the order still reads delivery date October 13; however, checking the DVD - it reads "This product discontinued by manufacturer." Now this is nuts - Amazon didn't notify me. I'll just check other dealers. Does anyone have any information about this?

I am so glad that other feel the same way that I did about this book. It seemed to be about the Dutch National Ballet and its dancers more than Nureyev. Van Dantzig was some friend! And how do we know if Rudolf really asked Rudi to write about him - he just seemed to slam Nureyev at every opportunity. However, Nureyev's association with the DNB certainly placed the company on the map! I never would have paid any attention to them if it wasn't for Rudolf dancing with them, even if those ballets were odd.

Hello passionate admirer. You wrote a lovely introduction. This site is wonderful. I have learned so much about dancers and ballets that I would never had heard about otherwise.

Enjoy the journey!

JK obviously didn't like or respect Rudolf. Just another writer obsessed with his private sex life. It was salacious and rude.

It sometimes happens that a biographer winds up not liking and/or respecting her subject very much, and that may well have happened to Kavanagh. However, in many respects Nureyev simply wasn't a very appealing man personally despite some fine qualities, and it wouldn't surprise me if a biographer found that ultimately the cons outnumbered the pros. Such a conclusion, if reached, can be fair comment and not necessarily an attack or hit job.

Contemporary biographies in general often have Too Much Information in the bedroom department, but I didn't find all of those details irrelevant or salacious, either. I preferred the Solway book overall as a full biography but if you're seriously interested in Nureyev you do have to read Kavanagh, too.

I agree that some biographers often grow to dislike their subject, although good ones retain their objectivity. I believe that JK disliked Rudi before she began her task, what with her husband's mean-spirited documentary about Rudi, on British tv, a few years after his death; and her admission, in a British paper, that she had only interviewed him a couple of times - first time, fine; 2nd time, not so good. Rudi was going through the POB contract dispute at the time and was pre-occupied and quiet, and that she didn't really care that much about him.

I also prefer Solway's book, of the two. There are many others I really like, though.

Exciting news - thank you very much.

Thank you, RG, for sharing the beautiful photo of Ninel. In the only photos I have ever seen of her, in her younger years, she was in make-up and costume. She was quite lovely.

Anna; another terrific book is "The Dancer Who Flew," by Linda Maybarduk - a former dancer with the National Ballet of Canada and a very close friend of Rudi's. You can get it from Amazon - the book details Rudi's involvement with the Nat'l. Ballet of Canada during the 1970's, as well as their friendship throughout the years. It is a wonderful memoir - no gossip/garbage - just very interesting info on Rudi and dance. There are many never-before-seen photos also. It's listed for "young readers" because it doesn't contain all the salacious sex info, but it really is for everyone. Good luck.

Hi PeggyR, Nureyev's eye make-up is fine in Don Q. Perhaps you were thinking of the Swan Lake film in which his eye make-up was overdone, ala Soviet-style, I'm told.

My suggestion is "Three Years in the Kirov Theater," written by close friends of Rudi's in Russia. They knew him best; in fact, I think this is the best book written about him. It can be purchased from the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation, in Chicago. Price is $40.00. Contact them for more info - RudolfNureyevDanceFoundation.org

My vote is the Rudolf Nureyev version, with the Australian Ballet. Originally filmed in 1972, but remastered a few years ago for the DVD. It is one of the best ballet films ever. The dancing is superb, and now the costumes/scenery colors are enhanced, making this a terrific film.

Richka,

Just to advise you tht Ms. Williams died in May, 1984, at her home in Malden, Mass. She had retired from the BB due to poor health, and Violette Verdy, who had been co-Artistic Director with Ms. Williams, assumed the duties of Artistic Director - but only for a short time after Ms. Williams' retirement.

Rudolf Nureyev - he transfomed the image of the male dancer.