Isabeara Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 I would like to expand my collection of ballets on dvd (actually most are vhs, but I'm loking to buy dvds lol). Any suggestions? Your favorites, the classics, least expensive, etc. I just borrowed a copy of The Children of Theatre Street, about the Kirov school in Russia, and it is my new favorite. I'm looking for either documentaries, interviews, or just dance (I already own The Turning Point, Center Stage, etc.). Thanks! Link to comment
Tuesday Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Ballets Russes is a wonderful documentary to own, in my opinion. I also like the Criterion Collection edition of The Red Shoes (1948). Born to be Wild is another great documentary. I have a number of dance videos that my son is in love with. The ABT production of Don Quixote featuring Baryshnikov as Basilio, for instance. He also really enjoys the Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, and I think Romeo and Juliet, featuring Angel Corella and Alessandra Ferri. There are others as well, but I am forgetting them. Link to comment
Clara 76 Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Etoiles, Ballet Russes, The Glory of the Kirov, Elusive Muse. Also, check out this thread from our sister site: List of Essential Videos Link to comment
cricket Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Definitely Ballets Russes. And although not ballet, I love Dancemaker - the documentary about Paul Taylor. Link to comment
pj Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 1) Backstage at the Kirov 2) Dancer The others that have been mentioned above are also in our collection and are really good. Link to comment
vicarious Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 http://dancingflix.com/default.php This has been a great way to preview DVDs before we actually purchase them. It works like netflix. Some DVDs I was glad I watched first because I really didn't like them (Giselle-Kirov). Here's my favorites that I have either purchased or put on my wish list. Others have already been mentioned. White Nights The Dream - ABT Dmitri Roudnev- Partnering Secrets of Russian Training Le Corsair - Kirov Asylmuratova and Ruzimatov Le Corsair- ABT Vaganova Classes - Produced by Vladimir Issaev (this is not a class on video but a documentary about the classes) Removed from wish list: Classical Ballet Lesson -Vaganova- Class 1 Had some very good information but moved painfully slow both in the class demonstrations and the discussion. Also not a class. Very expensive series. Glad I watched it first. Lots of good info but not worth buying IMO. Link to comment
2marzipans Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 Our favorite Nutcracker is the ABT version with Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. We never tire of watching it. A great website for dance dvds is: kultur.com Link to comment
Missgoodytoeshoes Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 "The Children of Theatre Street" is one of my favorites! Link to comment
balletbum74 Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I would HIGHLY recommend: Romeo and Juliet (Ferri/Corella) Giselle (Makarova/Baryshnikov) Balanchine's Nutcracker Don Quixote (Harvey/Baryshnikov or Terekhova/Ruzimatov) Etoiles (Paris Opera Ballet) La Sylphide (Jeppesen/Hubbe Royal Danish Ballet) The Dancer (follows a student at the Royal Swedish Ballet School-very inspiring!) Kirov Classics (excerpts from Paquita with Makhalina & Zelensky(!), Le Corsaire, Markitenka, The Fairy Doll, and Les Sylphides) I think that the above videos are so moving and always offer something new each time you watch it. They are must-haves! Link to comment
thecostumelady Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I treasure my "Classic Kirov Performances", from Kultur, for its clips of Pavlova doing Dying Swan. I think Lesley Collier, in the Royal Ballet's "La Fille mal gardee", is just so cute. And then there are my Finis Jhung videos--always inspiring and informative. Link to comment
glissade_jete Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 What about Born to be Wild, about Malakhov, Carreno, Stiefel, and Corella at ABT? Link to comment
Tiffany Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 A second vote for Nutcracker with Baryshnikov & Kirkland, I love that version & have it on DVD, it was not released on DVD until within the last 5 years I believe. I also love The Company featuring Joffrey dancers and Neve Campbell; however this is mainly contemporary ballet, there are maybe 2 classical pieces in it...I also like Save the Last Dance but that does not have much ballet in it; however if you like Center Stage you might like it. Interestingly, STLD features a cameo performance by Joffrey dancers. Link to comment
Isabeara Posted October 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Wow this is great, thanks everyone! Link to comment
Clara 76 Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I thought this thread might make a good STICKY!!! Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Just one word concerning the word "investment". There are currently no video media which truly meet the archival standards for permanence. They are more long-lived than taped media, but even though manufacturers claim lives of 50 to even 100 years for DVDs, and one even 300 years, they are all kind of fragile, depending on all sorts of temperature/humidity and storage orientation (vertical or horizontal) issues. They aren't as subject to deterioration as the old laser disc format, which used to come down with "disc rot", but the archivists are still out on protecting media for long-term use. You'll still get a long life out of them, given most household conditions, but there still is no video medium with the longevity of, say, a Gutenberg Bible. Link to comment
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