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Ballet

Pina [Criterion Collection] Blu-ray 3D Review

Posted January 28th, 2013 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Pina [Criterion Collection] Blu-ray 3D Review

Director Wim Wenders gives us a marvelous portrait of the late avant-garde choreographer Pina Bausch. Mixing selections from several ballets with poignant reminiscences by her dancers, this is a disc not to be missed.

Tchaikovsky: Iolanta/Stravinsky: Persephone [Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

Posted November 16th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Tchaikovsky: Iolanta/Stravinsky: Persephone [Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

Famed stage director Peter Sellars gives us two rarely seen Russian masterpieces, Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Stravinsky’s Persephone. Unusual staging and lighting effects aside, these are well performed works and definitely worth a watch.

Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty [The Bolshoi Ballet/Sinaivsky] Blu-ray Review

Posted November 8th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty [The Bolshoi Ballet/Sinaivsky] Blu-ray Review

Tchaikovsky’s perennial favorite ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, gets a big-time production from the Bolshoi company. Lead dancer David Hallberg is simply spectacular and is reason enough to go for this blu-ray disc.

Platel: C(h)œurs [Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

Posted November 7th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Platel: C(h)œurs [Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

Belgian choreographer Alain Platel has made an ambitious effort to collate his ultramodern dance routines to the choral works of Verdi and Wagner. As a paean to social protest, it is a series of hits and misses captured with beautiful sight and sound recording. Probably not for classic balletomanes, the physicality of the “dance” routines border on the sensational.

Adam: Giselle [Bolshoi Ballet/Grigorovich] Blu-ray Review

Posted June 25th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Adam: Giselle [Bolshoi Ballet/Grigorovich] Blu-ray Review

Giselle, one of the most popular of the classic ballet repertory, receives an enjoyable if not outstanding performance by the Bolshoi Ballet company. Videography and sound recording are excellent, enhancing the less than ideal Grigorovich choreography.

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker and The Mouse King [Dutch National Ballet/van Schayk/Eagling] Blu-ray Review

Posted May 26th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker and The Mouse King [Dutch National Ballet/van Schayk/Eagling] Blu-ray Review

A contemporary reworking of Tchaikovsky’s ballet favorite, The Nutcracker and The Mouse King, receives a thoroughly enjoyable presentation by the Dutch National Ballet. While not the equal of the original choreography, most of the best known numbers are preserved and the principal dancers are outstanding.

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker [The Bolshoi Ballet/Grigorovich] Blu-ray Review

Posted April 19th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker [The Bolshoi Ballet/Grigorovich] Blu-ray Review

The Bolshoi Ballet has mounted a less conventional, but visually and dramatically effective production of the beloved Tchaikovsky ballet. This Nutcracker has many magic moments with excellent sound and visual recording.

Tribute to Jerome Robbins [Paris Opera Ballet] Blu-ray Review

Posted March 28th, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Tribute to Jerome Robbins [Paris Opera Ballet] Blu-ray Review

A 20th anniversary tribute to legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins shows off the ballet corps of the Paris Opera Ballet. The Robbins pieces are stunning as witnessed by the videography.

Gades/Saura: Carmen Ballet [Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

Posted January 31st, 2012 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Gades/Saura: Carmen Ballet [Teatro Real Madrid] Blu-ray Review

The Carmen theme is taken back to its flamenco roots in this Teatro Real de Madrid production. Antonio Gades and Carlos Saura give the dancers free rein to create an earthy yet compelling realization of this tale of fatal love.

Delibes: Coppélia [Ballet of the Opera National of Paris] Blu-ray Review

Posted December 7th, 2011 by Lawrence D. Devoe, MD

Delibes: Coppélia [Ballet of the Opera National of Paris] Blu-ray Review

Coppélia is given a balletic fresh face by Patrice Bart in the Paris performance. There is spectacular dancing, supported by great videography and stage direction.

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