Jane Simpson Posted June 29, 1999 Report Share Posted June 29, 1999 Nanatchka, is it important that David Vaughan is English? After all, most of the people who write about Balanchine are American... Jane (also English) Quote Link to post
Guest Nanatchka Posted June 30, 1999 Report Share Posted June 30, 1999 No Jane, it isn't important in the sense that British is better/worse, only interesting that we are discussning British bios of a British choreographer. Perhaps the different approaches reflect a generational shift, come to think of it. The old Britian, and the new. The same shift as in the public deportment of the royal family. And Alexandra, while of course I admire and appreciate David Vaughn's recognition of the public/private distinction, I am also frustrated because he knows soooo much that I would like to know myself. Nosy of me. Quote Link to post
Guest Stuart Sweeney Posted June 30, 1999 Report Share Posted June 30, 1999 Nantchka, I don't think it's just being nosy. The background that Kavanagh gives provides insights into Ashton and helps tp put in context the pieces we see on the stage. The party-going Ashton gives rise to a piece like 'Facade', his spoofs with Helpmann inspiring the sistere in 'Cinderella' and the forlorn lover inspiring many of the works. His lack of a full ballet or musical training and his technical shortcomings as a dancer resulting in an insecurity that gives rise to Kavanagh's account of his jealous anger at Helpmann's choreographic work for Sadler's Wells during the War. Interestingly, the few UK dance folk who I have spoken to about the book really enjoyed it and like me found it an absorbing and easy read. For all his faults, I ended up finding Ashton more interesting by the end of the book and it certainly made me want to see more of his work. I just loved the anecdote of him using his free public transport pass to attend a engagement where he would then travel in a Royal carriage. Quote Link to post
dirac Posted June 30, 1999 Report Share Posted June 30, 1999 I got a kick out of those photographs of him as Queen Victoria -- he's a dead ringer -- and as Gertrude and Alice with Helpmann. A minor point -- I don't think it was his worry about his relative lack of training that made him resent Helpmann so much as professional jealousy and, more important, Helpmann's bent toward narrative ballet and emphasis on acting was changing the company's dance focus, hence Symphonic Variations. Kavanagh does indicate that Ashton felt some insecurity vis-a-vis Balanchine, however. Quote Link to post
Guest BlossomingBallerina Posted February 22, 2000 Report Share Posted February 22, 2000 Hi my name is Alix I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. I am reading a book in a series called The Friendship Ring and there is a book called Please Please Please about a girl named CJ who is making a decision between quiting ballet and becoming a normal kid, or staying with it to the point where it gets so far that it will start to take over her life!!!I hope you decide to read it. Quote Link to post
Guest DancingBug Posted February 28, 2000 Report Share Posted February 28, 2000 Another great book is called BALLERINA, I forgot who the author is, but what I do remember is that you can find it in the adult section of your library, that's where I got it. It IS rather long, about 500 pages, but it's a fab book to read when you have lots of time... like in the summer! Quote Link to post
Guest sarez Posted February 28, 2000 Report Share Posted February 28, 2000 I also read this really cool book (it was not that long, so you could read it anytime) by Rumer Godden. It's about a girl who's being raised by her great aunt, who's the wardrobe mistress of a famous ballet company, and then........ well, i won't spoil it for you. sarabeth Quote Link to post
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted February 28, 2000 Administrators Report Share Posted February 28, 2000 And the title of this book by Rumor Godden is???? Quote Link to post
Guest Pease-blossom Posted February 28, 2000 Report Share Posted February 28, 2000 I think I know the book you're talking about, sarabeth...is it Listen to the Nightingale? I looove that book! Even if we're not thinking of the same book, I still recommend that book! Quote Link to post
Guest Juls Posted February 29, 2000 Report Share Posted February 29, 2000 I looked on amazon.com to see if I could find the author of "Ballerina" but they didn't have it listed, and they have everything! Could you possibly post the author? I would be very interested in reading it! Thanks -Julie Quote Link to post
Guest DancingBug Posted March 2, 2000 Report Share Posted March 2, 2000 Sorry, I don't remember the author! I'll try to find it though A.S.A.P. because I think that anyone who loves ballet will enjoy reading it! Quote Link to post
Guest DancingBug Posted March 2, 2000 Report Share Posted March 2, 2000 I just went to my Library Online Catalog, and I searched for the book. I'm pretty sure I found the book. It's by Edward Norton... and if my memory serves me right then that sounds familiar, and that's probably the author. I hope this helps! Quote Link to post
Guest sarez Posted March 2, 2000 Report Share Posted March 2, 2000 Ms. Leigh......... The book I'm talking about is Listen to the Nightingale. It's a really good book, and I recommend it to anybody who likes reading books about ballet! sarabeth Quote Link to post
Guest BethJ Posted March 7, 2000 Report Share Posted March 7, 2000 There is a wonderful series of fiction books called "Satin Slippers" I'm not sure who it is by, but it is all about a girl named Leah who goes to the San Francisco Ballet Academy. There are about 20 books in the series and they are really good. Quote Link to post
Guest ScottieGDE13 Posted March 8, 2000 Report Share Posted March 8, 2000 There is a really good book I've read called Ribbons. It's about this girl of Japanese descent and she's an awesome dancer but she has to quit because her parents can't afford it anymore because her grandmother is moving from Japan to their house. It just talks about how she deals with it and also how she gets along with her grandmother. It is REALLY good- mostly. There was this other really good one I read a long time ago so I can't really remember it but I think it was called Ballet Magic. It's about this girl who feels discouraged in dance because of her height. She's really tall and all the other girls are about a foot shorter so they get the corps parts but she's not good enough to be a soloist yet so she can only understudy. It's really good! Scottie Quote Link to post
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