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In celebration of the debut of the Ballet Russes in Paris, 1909, this wonderful Stravinsky evening at the Mariinsky Theatre (cond. Valery Gergiev) showcases the original Nijinsky choreography of The Rite of Spring for the first time on DVD together with The Firebird. The DVD also contains a bonus documentary on the Ballet Russes, 1909-2009 and interviews with Millicent Hodges and Kenneth Archer.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I will say at the start I am not a ballet nut but I do love Stravinsky's music and have long wanted to see the famous choreography that caused such a stir in Paris in 1913. This has been lovingly recreated (since Nijinsky never made a record of his choreography and it only received 8 performances - mostly disrupted by noisy crowds). An extra on the disc explains how it was done and gives a fascinating insight into research of such a transient art form.
Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra are on great form throughout the Firebird and the Rite and I wasn't disappointed in either (I consider Gergiev's CD recording of the Rite to be the best I have heard). The surround sound quality is excellent and the dynamic range wide - so crank up the volume and to hell with the neighbours.
The dancing (to my untutored eye) is fantastic in both ballets and I am really pleased to see the Rite as close to the way it was conceived as is ever likely to be without Nijinsky being resurrected.
Why 4 stars ... the only disappointment for me is the filming of the ballets - there is too much emphasis on camera movement and jumping about which is very frustrating at times - especially as the camera often closes in onto stationary dancers and completely ignoring what is going on across the rest of the stage.
There is a particularly frustrating moment in the Rite where the camera holds for a long time on the ancient sage who is standing perfectly still. It only becomes clear from the extras on the disc that at that precise moment the other 40 dancers on stage were performing 40 different solos (which of course you aren't going to see on the DVD except a glimpse in the rehearsal room).
The Rite also has a lot of vertically down shots on the circle dances - not an angle the audience is meant to see and distracting (especially as the circles the dancers are supposed to follow are drawn on the floor and they obviously aren't all where they should be!).
OK I am being picky but it certainly is a pity to see this in the camera work. Surely ballet is designed to be seen by the audience as a full performance and I think the viewer would be better served to have a fixed view point from a central stalls position (the best seat in the house) and watch the ballet as if your were there. DVDs are great tools and support multi-angle pictures so why can't this at least be an option - or better make the close ups an option.
Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra are on great form throughout the Firebird and the Rite and I wasn't disappointed in either (I consider Gergiev's CD recording of the Rite to be the best I have heard). The surround sound quality is excellent and the dynamic range wide - so crank up the volume and to hell with the neighbours.
The dancing (to my untutored eye) is fantastic in both ballets and I am really pleased to see the Rite as close to the way it was conceived as is ever likely to be without Nijinsky being resurrected.
Why 4 stars ... the only disappointment for me is the filming of the ballets - there is too much emphasis on camera movement and jumping about which is very frustrating at times - especially as the camera often closes in onto stationary dancers and completely ignoring what is going on across the rest of the stage.
There is a particularly frustrating moment in the Rite where the camera holds for a long time on the ancient sage who is standing perfectly still. It only becomes clear from the extras on the disc that at that precise moment the other 40 dancers on stage were performing 40 different solos (which of course you aren't going to see on the DVD except a glimpse in the rehearsal room).
The Rite also has a lot of vertically down shots on the circle dances - not an angle the audience is meant to see and distracting (especially as the circles the dancers are supposed to follow are drawn on the floor and they obviously aren't all where they should be!).
OK I am being picky but it certainly is a pity to see this in the camera work. Surely ballet is designed to be seen by the audience as a full performance and I think the viewer would be better served to have a fixed view point from a central stalls position (the best seat in the house) and watch the ballet as if your were there. DVDs are great tools and support multi-angle pictures so why can't this at least be an option - or better make the close ups an option.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Stravinsky and the Ballets Russes: The Firebird and The Rite of Spring [Blu-ray] [2008]
Both ballets are presented in reconstructions of the original productions by the Diaghilev Company and the brilliant colours and detail are beautifully captured on this 1080i Blu Ray disc.
FIREBIRD - Ekaterina Kondaurova is an enchanting firebird in a red costume that absolutely appears on fire when appropriate. The dancing throughout is superb, the Prince (Ilya Kuznetsov), Princess (Marianna Pavolva) and a gruesome Kaschei from (Vladimir Ponomarev).
SACRE DU PRINTEMPS - watching this reconstruction enables one to understand the shock it had on the original audience in 1913, I know the music well but have never seen the ballet performed and was very surprised at the nature of the dancing. Once again lovely dancing with the Chosen One (Alexandra Iosifidi), 300 Year Old Woman (Elena Bazhenova) and Wise Elder (Vladimr Ponomarev)
The Mariinsky Orchestra and Ballet under conductor Valery Gergiev completes a perfect disc.
Both ballets are presented in reconstructions of the original productions by the Diaghilev Company and the brilliant colours and detail are beautifully captured on this 1080i Blu Ray disc.
FIREBIRD - Ekaterina Kondaurova is an enchanting firebird in a red costume that absolutely appears on fire when appropriate. The dancing throughout is superb, the Prince (Ilya Kuznetsov), Princess (Marianna Pavolva) and a gruesome Kaschei from (Vladimir Ponomarev).
SACRE DU PRINTEMPS - watching this reconstruction enables one to understand the shock it had on the original audience in 1913, I know the music well but have never seen the ballet performed and was very surprised at the nature of the dancing. Once again lovely dancing with the Chosen One (Alexandra Iosifidi), 300 Year Old Woman (Elena Bazhenova) and Wise Elder (Vladimr Ponomarev)
The Mariinsky Orchestra and Ballet under conductor Valery Gergiev completes a perfect disc.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had the good fortune to see this production of the Rite in its early preparation in Russia and was amazed at it's impact. The barbaric dancing, fantastic costumes and sets put this performance in a class of it's own Do not hesitate this disc is magical and both works will demand repeated showing. Get it at once. Pure gold!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good Firebird and an interesting re-creation of the Rite
This performance of the Firebird uses choreography and settings generally familiar to those who know the earlier Royal ballet version on Opus Arte or the freer Russian TV film... Read more
Published 5 months ago by I. Giles
Magnífico, impecable
Excepcional calidad de esta grabación. Imagen extraordinaria y sonido colosal, sin parangón, que es lo que principalmente deseaba, porque aunque a veces tengo tiempo... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Emilio
Dancing is a distance sport
I've always loved the music for 'The Rite of Spring' and, having seen only tantalising glimpses of the choreography & costumes for the original production, I was so thrilled to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Linda Howell
Wonderful !
This was worth waiting for !
The orchestra sound is wonderful, the dancers out of this world, I got so involved in "The Firebird" that I forgot to breathe ! Read more
The orchestra sound is wonderful, the dancers out of this world, I got so involved in "The Firebird" that I forgot to breathe ! Read more
Published 19 months ago by Gray Hamme
Good
Finally we get the original Rite on camera. Poor camera work unfortunately, why show the ballet from up above? Read more
Published 23 months ago by s
Masterpiece
Worth every penny. A unique performance of both Firebird and my personal favourite Rite of Spring. Fabulous! Speedy delivery, beautiful edition. Highly recommended.
Published on 10 May 2010 by Mor Rigain
Great Performances, Poor Camerawork
The recording quality of this disc is superb, as are the productions. "The Rite of Spring", however, is marred by very poor camera work. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2009 by Tony Heyes
Excellent authentic production
An excellent production that attempts to capture the originals.
The Rites of Spring is certainly a seminal work. The music hits primitive places. Read more
The Rites of Spring is certainly a seminal work. The music hits primitive places. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by R. V. Armitage
Excellent performance
I can surely recommend this DVD to everyone who likes brilliant reproduction and a perfect performance
Published on 31 Aug 2009 by Lex
Helicopter /bats views and applause SPOILT
Spoilt by (BATS) views from directly above stage and applause at critical point in Firebird. Nobody watches these ballets from the rafters!This is a gimic. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by Arthur Wyatt
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