Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About

As shown on the PBS American Masters Series, February 18, 2009

A not-to-be-missed 130 minute documentary on Robbins featuring excerpts from his personal journals, archival performance footage, never-before-seen rehearsals, as well as interviews with Robbins himself and over forty others, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jacques d’Amboise, Suzanne Farrell, Peter Martins, Chita Rivera, and Stephen Sondheim.Covers his transformations from modern dancer to ballet dancer, to master of the Broadway Musical, and to one of the greatest ballet choreographers. Includes excerpts from his ballets: Fancy Free, Les Noces, The Cage, Dances at a Gathering, Other Dances, The Goldberg Variations, Watermill, Dybbuk, Antique Epigraphs, In Memory Of... His Broadway choreography is represented by selections from On the Town, The King and I, Peter Pan, West Side Story, Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. 130 min.

VKU175 $30.00

Cinderella
Paris Opera Ballet

Rudolf Nureyev’s colourful, “movie-star” version of Prokofiev’s Cinderella retains the classic Perrault story but sets it in America during the difficult years of the Great Depression in the 1930s and 1940s. Agnès Letestu stars as Cinderella who, living with her alcoholic father, tyrannical stepmother and two spiteful stepsisters, dreams of escape and stardom in Hollywood. After a promising screen-test during which The Film Star, suavely portrayed by José Martinez, falls head over heels in love with her, she is fearful that her new-found happiness is too good to be true and will vanish with her youth. Fortunately, her magical protector (in the form of The Producer) and her lover move heaven and earth for a ‘happily ever after’ ending. 185 min.

VNX007 $39.95

Tales of Beatrix Potter
The Royal Ballet

Created by Frederick Ashton for a film in 1971, Tales of Beatrix Potter brings alive, with rich characterisation and invention, the famous images and stories of Beatrix Potter. Swept up in the ballet’s childlike exuberance, the entire cast delivers outstanding portrayals of such colorful figures as Jemima Puddle-Duck, Jeremy Fisher, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and the irrepressible Peter Rabbit. Ashton’s warm and witty, yet demanding, choreography creates a piece of charm and grace for all ages. 76 min.

VNX061 $29.95

Early Dance
Part 1: From the Greeks to the Renaissance

Produced by Isa Partsch-Bergsohn Directed by Hal Bergsohn

This concise history of Greek through Elizabethan dance uses engravings, prints, and paintings with accompanying music and narration. Period-costumed dancers demonstrate the pavan, galliard, saltarella, canarie and volta. 22 min.

VDH119 $39.95

Early Dance
Part 2: The Baroque Era

The New Dance Group
Gala Historical Concert Retrospective 1930s-1970s

A 1993 production by the American Dance Guild.
In this remarkable DVD, The New Dance Group Gala Historical Concert: Retrospective 1930s -1970s, although some of the footage is a bit grainy, viewers will enjoy viewing dances of the most influential Modern Dance pioneers from the 1930s-1970s including: Mary Anthony, Ronne Aul, Talley Beatty, Valerie Bettis, Irving Burton, Jane Dudley, Jean Erdman, Eve Gentry, Joseph Gifford, Hadassah, Sophie Maslow, Donald McKayle, Daniel Nagrin, Pearl Primus, Anna Sokolow, Joyce Trisler, Charles Weidman. 160 min.

VDP588 $59.95

Program:

This rare 2-hour documentary is the most extensive video encyclopedia of African American social dance from 1900 to the 1980s. The Spirit Moves traces the evolution of African American dance in urban America. It was created over a period of thirty years by Mura Dehn, a European filmmaker who recognized and recorded the vital contribution of African American dance to the Jazz scene. She produced, directed, edited, and narrated this valuable film. Shown with its original editing, this DVD contains the only footage of this kind still in existence. The Spirit Moves provides a living history of the men and women who forged American social dance styles into an improvisational art form.

Don Quixote

Nina Ananiashvili with Alexei Fadeyechev and Aleksandr Astafiev and the Tchaikovsky Perm State Ballet

Choreography by Petipa & Gorsky, revised by Ledjakh, Varlamova & Azarin-Messerer

Music by Leon Minkus

This film is the only record of Ananiashvili in one of her signature roles. Virtuosity is very much on display in this performance by the Ballet during its Japanese tour. Ananiashvili’s Kitri benefits greatly from her astonishing technical gifts, her natural charm and a flair for comedy.

VVA420 $34.95

Romeo and Juliet

Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev with the Bolshoi Ballet

Choreography by Lavrovsky, Music by Prokofiev

Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed young lovers has inspired countless variations, including successful permutations in dance, opera, concert music, film and musical theater. As a ballet, set to one of Prokofiev’s greatest scores, it has become a repertoire favorite. It is, however, the Kirov Ballet of Leningrad and Moscow’s Bolshoi that can claim an authentic relationship to this dance masterpiece. Here is a landmark performance, brilliantly illuminated by the performances of Maximova and Vasiliev.

VVA419 $34.95

Katia & Volodia

Ekaterina Maximova & Vladimir Vasiliev, A Portrait in Dance

Maximova and Vasiliev in a film by Dominique Delouche

Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev formed one of ballet’s supreme partnerships in their years as leading dancers with the Bolshoi Ballet. Each brought something distinctive to their individual work. Vasiliev ignited the stage with movie star looks and charisma, and a technique second to none. Maximova was enchanting and charming with the skills of a great actress. That they are husband and wife explains, in part, the unique chemistry of their collaborations.

VVA418 $24.95

Isadora Duncan
Masterworks

1905-1923

Isadora Duncan Dance Ensemble
Artistic Director: Dr. Andrea Mantell-Seidel
Artistic Advisor: Julia Levien

DVD 52 min., 2008

VDH055 $49.95

Firestone Dances:
Ballet Highlights

Among the treasures from the Voice of Firestone archives are Rudolf Nureyev’s American television solo debut; the legendary team of Jacques D’Amboise and Melissa Hayden; the brilliant Maria Tallchief; Carla Fracci in a rare Pas de quatre set to the music of Pugni; as well as principal dancers of the Royal Danish Ballet and a performance by the Ballet Espanol Ximenes-Vargas.

DVD, 49 min., b&w

VKU127 $20.00

Hans van Manen Festival

Staged by The Dutch National Ballet to celebrate the work of choreographer Hans van Manen for his 75th birthday. International guest artists from companies such as the Kirov Ballet, and Nederlands Dans Theater, joined Dutch National Ballet to perform some of van Manen’s most celebrated ballets.

DVD, 130 min., color

VKU349 $30.00

Stravinsky:
Once At A Border
A Film by Tony Palmer

This biographical film about one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century includes documents, photographs and film never seen publicly before. Stravinsky’s three surviving children talk about their father and there are contributions from the late Madame Vera Stravinsky and many friends and colleagues. Included in the film are important performances from Les Noces, Petroushka and also a priceless film of Stravinsky himself.

DVD, 166 min., color/b & w

VKU347 $25.00

La Bayadère -
Kirov Theatre

This production was filmed live at the Kirov starring Gabriella Komleva as the temple dancer, Nikia; Tatiana Terekhova as Gamzatti, the Rajah’s daughter, and Rejen Abdyev as Prince Solor. This performance exhibits the perfection achieved by the Kirov corps de ballet. The orchestra, under the baton of Victor Shirokov, plays Minkus’ scintillating music. A piece of history, and a work of art, La Bayadère is quite simply a gem to be savored again and again.

DVD, 130 min., color

VKU181 $30.00

Swan Lake - Bolshoi Theatre

The aristocratic beauty of the Bolshoi Ballet brings this acclaimed production of Swan Lake alive with ennobling presence and artistry. Natalia Bessmertnova is soft and lyrical in the dual role of Odette and Odile; her eminently feminine quality makes her the ideal interpreter of this classic. The elegance and magnetism of Siegfried is masterfully portrayed by Alexander Bogatyrev. With exquisitely designed sets, and a dance corps whose skill rivals that of the principal ballerinas. This historic production was choreographed by the critically acclaimed master Yuri Grigorvich, with Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed by the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Algis Zhuraitis.

DVD, 130 min., color

VKU348 $30.00

Gala Tribute To Tchaikovsky

Gala Performance to honor Tchaikovsky on the centenary of his death.

Artists of The Royal Ballet
The Royal Opera Chorus

Includes dances from The Nutcracker , The Sleeping Beauty, and Anastasia

DVD, 137 min., color

VKU350 $30.00

Shape Up
with David Howard

A unique exercise program designed by America’s foremost ballet master David Howard. These energizing and strengthening exercises provide a complete workout for all fitness levels and offer a varied mixture of aerobic techniques that target your body’s core muscle groups, toning and conditioning them.

DVD, 60 min., color

VKU276 $20.00

Ballet Class For Beginners

David Howard’s Ballet Class for Beginners is an excellent learning and teaching tool especially designed by America’s foremost ballet master to introduce the beginning student to the technique and vocabulary of classical ballet, with the emphasis on posture, placement and movement potential.

DVD, 40 min.

VKU021 $20.00

Seven Ballets:
The Paris
Opera Ballet

Patrick Dupond, Sylvie Guillem, Noella Pontois and the Stars and Corps of the Paris Opera Ballet

A mixed program of seven original dances featuring the sensational dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet. Housed in the largest theater building in the world, known as “the cradle of classical ballet,” the company stems from a tradition of more than 300 years, and in these dances, the tradition continues.

Dances include Escamillo (Schmucki), a Spanish folk dance, Le Petit Pan (Schmucki) with Dupond, music by Grieg, Bambou (Schmucki), danced to African folk music, Grande Pas Classique (Petipa), Rixe (Schmucki) by Saint Saens, Une Femme (Schmucki) by Sibelius, and The White Swan from Swan Lake (Petipa) with Pontois and Dupond, music by Tchaikovsky.

DVD, 66 min. + bonus features, 2008

VWL1240 $24.95

Classic Ballet Night:
The Kirov Ballet

Irina Kolpakova, Gabriela Komleva, Alla Sizova, Galina Mezentseva, Sergei Berezhnoi and the Corps of the Kirov Ballet

Choreography by Vaganova, Petipa, Bournonville, Saint-Leon and Dolin

Composers include Pugni, Drigo and Helsted

Some of the most loved dances in the classical repertory. They include Diana and Actheon (Vaganova), Esmeralda (Petipa), Flower Festival in Genzano (Bournonville), The Canteen Keeper (from Vivandiere) (Saint-Leon), The Venice Carnival (Petipa), and Pas de Quatre (Dolin).

DVD, 88 min. + bonus features, 2008

VWL1230 $24.95

Ballet Miniatures

With Choreographic Miniatures of St. Petersburg

Egyptian Night, Carnival, Romeo and Juliet

Egyptian Night and Carnival are rarely seen works by the great Russian choreographer Mikhail Fokine, the former set to music by Anton Arensky, the latter to music by Robert Schumann. These light, pretty, seductive ballets, though so different in theme and setting, are alike in showcasing the amazing artistry of the fabled Kirov Ballet, with its star dancers Faroukh Ruzimatov, Altynai Asylmuratova, and Margarita Kullik.

This fully packed program concludes with Romeo and Juliet, set to Tchaikovsky's music.

DVD, 88 min., 2000

VQ1111 $34.95

Sylvia (Delibes)
Ballet in three acts

The Royal Ballet with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Choreography by
Frederick Ashton

Darcey Bussell and Roberto Bolle star in Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia, restored to the splendor of its elegant and opulent three-act form for the 75th anniversary celebrations of The Royal Ballet. Taken from Greek mythology, it tells the story of Sylvia, loved by Aminta, abducted by Orion and eventually rescued by Eros.

DVD, 117 min., 2007

VNX031 $30.00

La Bayadère

Teatro alla Scala

Choreography by Natalia Makarova based on the original 1877 creation by Marius Petipa.

This new production of La Bayadère tells of a series of typically romantic conflicts presented in an ancient Indian setting: love and jealousy, intrigue, murder and revenge. In the final climax, the temple dancer Nikiya and Solor, her warrior lover, are united forever in death, and together they enter a paradisal world of eternal joy. The restless soul of a loving woman thus triumphs over all earthly torment and redeems her lover from the ensnarement of the world.

DVD, 126 min., 2007

VNX139 $30.00

Lieutenant Kijé and
Le Baiser de la Fée

With Artists of the Moscow Classical Ballet Company

Lieutenant Kijé
Vasiliev, Struchkova and Popko

Choreography by Tarasova and Lapauri, Music by Prokofiev

Le Baiser de la Fée (based on The Fairy’s Kiss by Hans Christian Anderson)
Malakhov, Tatsenko, Vasilieva and Gorbatsevich

Choreography by Vasiliev and Kasatkina, Music by Stravinsky

A new release with two ballets never before available on DVD.

With Bonus Selections:
Pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote

DVD, 107 min., 2008

VVA415 $34.95

Gayne

Larisa Tuisova and the Latvian Opera and Ballet Company

Choreography by Eifman, Music by Khachaturian

A new release of a ballet never before available on DVD.

With Bonus Selections: Gayne, last act and adagio with different casts and Spartacus, two adagios with different casts

DVD, 81 min. + 47 min. bonus selections, 1995

VVA414 $34.95

Now on DVD
Mary Wigman
1886-1973
When the Fire Dances Between Two Poles

Narration by Mary Wigman, with voice-over in English. Includes historical footage of early Laban School and Wigman’s own compositions, Witch Dance, Seraphic Song, Dance of Summer, and excerpts from her last performance in 1942, Farewell and Thanksgiving.

DVD, 41 min., b&w, 1990

VDH036D $29.95

Le jeune homme et la mort and Carmen

With the Opera National de Paris

Le jeune homme et la mort (The Young Man and Death) - Nicolas le Riche and Marie-Agnes Gillot Choreography by Roland Petit, music by Bach: Passacaglia in C minor Costumes after Karinska

Carmen Clairemarie Osta and Nicolas le Riche Choreography by Roland Petit, music by Bizet Recorded live at the Paris Opera July 2005.

DVD, 92 min., 2005

VNX153 $34.95

Hans Van Manen

2-DVD set
Nederlands Dans Theater and Het Nationale Ballet

DVD I:
Nederlands Dans Theater
Choreography by Hans Van Manen
Déjà vu (music by Part), Solo (music by Bach); Kammerballett (music by Karayev, Scarlatti and Cage; The Old Man and Me (music by Cale, Stravinsky and Mozart)

DVD II
Het Nationale Ballet
Choreography by Hans Van Manen
Frank Bridge Variations (music by Britten) and Two Pieces for Het (music by Tuur and Part)

DVD I: 80 min. (ballets 63 min., introductions 17 min.), 2000

DVD II: 60 min. (ballets 38 min., introductions 22 min.), 2007

VNX151 $34.95

Clavigo

Nicolas Le Riche, Clairemarie Osta and Marie-Agnes Gillot and the Opera national de Paris

Choreography by Roland Petit, music by Gabriel Yared

A ballet in two parts based on a story by Goethe. Recorded live at the Paris Opera in October 1999

DVD, 87 min., 2007

VNX143 $34.95

Nederlands Dans Theater Celebrates Jiri Kylian

With stars of the Nederlands Dans Theater

Three dances of Jiri Kylian, including an introduction to each ballet by Jiri Kylian.

Bella Figura ( music by Foss, Pergolesi, Marcello, Vivaldi and Torelli)

Sleepless (music by Haubrich, based on Mozart’s Adagio in C minor K617)

Birth-Day (music by Mozart)

DVD 128 min. (ballets 92 min., introductions 36 min.), 2007

VNX152 $34.95

Dancing In The Light

Presented by the American Dance Festival, Dancing in the Light showcases six historic dance compositions by African-American choreographers. The dances include: Ostrich (1932) by Asadata Dafora, Barrelhouse Blues (1943) by Katherine Dunham, Strange Fruit (1943) by Pearl Primus, Mourner’s Bench (1947) by Talley Beatty, Rainbow ’Round My Shoulder (1959) by Donald McKayle, first section of D-Man in the Waters (1989) by Bill T. Jones.

DVD, 50 min., color, 2007

VKU341 $19.95

William Forsythe

From A Classical Position
and
Just Dancing Around?

Artistic director and choreographer of the Ballet Frankfurt and himself trained in ballet, Forsythe shows an appreciation of and often a critical engagement with classical dance, transforming and revitalizing it. Here is a documentary about the man and his work. Rated R for language.

DVD, 78 min., color, 2007

VKU342 $19.95

The Great Mass

A Ballet by Uwe Scholz
Leipzig Ballet with Kiyoko Kimura
Music by Mozart
Performed by the orchestra of the Leipzig Gewandhaus and chorus of the Leipzig Opera

A masterpiece of large ensemble choreography! The twenty-four dancers, dressed entirely in white, perform this magnificent realization of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, one of the most glorious pieces of choral music ever written. The rows of dancers open and close, allowing rivers of movement to erupt in every direction. They fit together in block-like forms and flow through each other diagonally. Tension finds release in wide leaps and eloquent arm movements. Kiyoko Kimura's solos are breathtakingly beautiful.

Filmed live in 2005 as a memorial to the choreographer Uwe Scholz, the program opens with the dancers being individually introduced to a solemn Gregorian chant, followed by the opening Kyrie of the Mass. After the Gloria, the Mass is interrupted three times by several contemporary contrasting pieces of Scholz’s choreography and his interpretation of Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in C Minor and his Ave Verum Corpus (The viewer needs to skipover these interruptions to see the Mass in its entirety).

DVD 130 min., 2005

VNX146 $29.95

Great Dancers
of Our Time

Vladimir Malakhov, Lucia Lacarra, Kiyoko Kimura with Diana Vishneva, Nadja Saidakova, Christoph Böhm, Cyril Pierre

International ballet stars perform Le Spectre de la Rose, and selections from Manon, Swan Lake, Lady of the Camellias, and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 among others.

DVD 78 min., 2003

VNX145 $24.95

Notre-Dame de Paris

Choreography by Roland Petit
Costumes by Yves Saint Laurent
Performed by the Ballet de L’Opera National de Paris
With stars Isabelle Guerin, Nicolas Le Riche, Laurent Hilaire, Manuel Legris Music by Maurice Jarre

Based upon Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Notre Dame de Paris tells the story of Quasimodo, the hunchback bellringer of Notre Dame, the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, and the evil Archdeacon Frollo. Petit brings the melodramatic events of the story to life in this full-length ballet.

DVD, 86 min., 1996

VNX146 $29.95

Sylvia

Ballet and Orchestra of the l’Opera National de Paris
Choreography by John Neumeier
Music by Leo Delibes
With Aurelie Dupont, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Manuel Legris, Nicolas Le Riche

John Neumeier, legendary director of the Hamburg Ballet, has taken the 1876 ballet and created a “new” Sylvia for the Paris Opera Ballet. Originally based on Greek mythology, Neumeier has transformed the story into a modern parable about the difficulties of loving.

DVD, 136 min., 2005

VPL464 $29.95

Aschenbrõdel
(Cinderella)

VNX141 $29.95