The DVD Corner - Reviews of Dance DVD's
The DVD Corner
Reviews by Elinor Rogosin
The roots of classical ballet extend all the way back to seventeenth century France. Of course, you might say, that’s why the ballet vocabulary is French. Though the names of the steps haven’t changed, a visitor from that early French Academy would have difficulty with both the technical developments and our 21st century, complex choreography. Dancers today move quicker and with a wider range of movement, not only from those long ago, almost mythical days, but even from early 20th century dancers. Compare the dancers of American Ballet Theatre with the clips from the Ballet Russes Company in the two DVD’s reviewed, and though the choreography is grounded in the same, classical tradition, today’s dancers have evolved into a breed of superior athletes that focus more on the athleticism of ballet and less, as those earlier ballerinas in the film, "Ballets Russes" are fond of saying, on communicating from the heart.
Top of this month’s list:
“Variety and Virtuosity: American Ballet Theatre Now”
1998 : PBS Dance In America
83 Minutes
Essentially a Gala performance, this DVD mixes informative, documentary interviews with a pleasurable mix of contemporary and popular classical pas de deux. ABT director, Kevin McKenzie and a roster of his leading dancers speak about the challenges of expressing a choreographer’s vision. Susan Jaffe, Alessandra Ferri, and Julio Bocca, all seen here in their prime, have since retired, but other dancers in this production, including both Angel Corella and Jose Manuel Carreno, still thrill American Ballet Theatre audiences: an enjoyable addition to a DVD dance collection. Chapter selections.
A Must Own:
“The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet”
2 discs: total 4 hours, 30 minutes
This DVD is a must for anyone seriously committed to the study of classical ballet. Kevin McKenzie, Georgina Parkinson, Merrill Ashley and Denise Jackson demonstrate each position with clarity and precision, differentiating the Cecchetti, Russian and French styles, while a voice over carefully points out the challenges and the correct positions in this complete, visual demonstration of the entire, classical ballet vocabulary. An essential guide for dance students and teachers, while audience members can also benefit. A printed index is included for easy reference.
Ballet History collection:
“Ballets Russes”
Zeitgeist Films
118 minutes, 2005
Named one of the ten best films by a Time magazine reviewer, this DVD might not appeal to the youngest students; but it is a treasure for both the historical footage, tracing ballet in the early 20th century as it evolved here in America, and for capturing the uniqueness of the dancers who made it happen. Even if you managed to catch this film at a local cinema, it’s one of those delightful odes to the human spirit that can be seen again and again. The special features include a booklet.
Check out your libraries, video stores, or contact Kultur and Dance Horizons to see these DVD’s. New information should be sent to ERogosin@aol.com