Nutcracker as you've never seen it before! This Christmas favourite, with Tchaikovsky's ... more
score of ageless delight and perfection, is reimagined by the French choreographer Maurice Bejart, including interpolations both from his own life story and from th...
This is aNutcrackerwith a difference. Tchaikovsky's most popular ballet ("Dance of the ... more
sugar plum fairy", "Waltz of the flowers" etc.) undergoes a transformation, interpreted by the French choreographer Maurice Bejart, from Christmas fairy story into a tale of a boy who dreams he loves his dead mother. The boy erects an enormous statue to her that becomes the focus of the production in Act 1 rather than the traditional Christmas tree. Maurice Bejart's memoir of his early years includes Goethe's embodiment of evil, Mephisto, recalled from his father's books and the figure of Marius Petipa, the original choreographer ofThe Nutcracker(both are danced by Gil Roman). For in this interpretation the boy, after failing to bring the statue to life, decides to become a dancer. In Act 2 the Spanish dance becomes a vehicle for a toreador, another of Bejart's childhood passions, but most striking is the interpolation of a French dance in this sequence of national dances to the tune of "Under Paris Skies" played on the accordion by Yvette Horner. Bejart's new concept might seem a shade self indulgent on paper, but only in the scene where the boy hugs his mother's statue in an Oedipus-like embrace does a moment of excess intrude. His imaginative choreography, the superb dancing by his Ballet Lausanne and the rhythmically lilting playing of the Orchestra Colonne under Edmon Colomer all give undiluted pleasure.On the DVD:The picture quality from the Chatelet theatre in Paris is top-notch, catching the lighting effects and colourful costumes with excellent definition. Several high angle crane shots reveal the deft ensemble work of this company. In the accompanying special feature we go behind the scenes of the production to meet Bejart and his collaborators. The long service many of them have given offers testament to the corporate spirit manifested in the dancing. Those looking for an alternative view of the traditional rendition of Tchaikovsky's ballet will not be disappointed by the artistry on display here. --Adrian Edwards
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Beautiful, carefree winding melodies, memorable sequences, wonderful for the christmas season. Disadvantages: Absolutely none.
Introduction
The Nutcracker Ballet remains the most popular of
Tchaikovsky's later works, despite being released to low acclaim during the 1890's it grew into one of the most renowned and loved classical compositions to date.
Indeed, even Disney created a feature film : Fantasia, which featured Mickey Mouse as a wizards apprentice, his actions backed by the various themes from the Nutcracker ballad.
Throughout last century and through into this one, the Nutcracker has proven popular in concerts all over the world, the ballad soon gained a reputation as a festive ballad, in part due to the light and airy melodies heard throughout the entire piece that excellently compliment the festive tale.
Thus, most concerts run from late November through until early January. Ticket prices vary, ranging from around a tenner to fifty ...
Advantages: Enchanting classical music and overwhelming themes Disadvantages: none.
The beginnings:
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Many years ago I have watched a small animated clip for the Nutcracker. In brief it is about a girl who kills a mouse who have made a spell on a boy and turned him into a nutcracker. What was fascinating to me at that time was the beautiful Tchaikovsky musical on which the two heroes dance and dance gracefully and elegantly in a world full of magic and imagination.
This was just the beginning....
The discovery:
As the reckless child I was at that time, I have lost the film among many of my favorite toys and games. Yet, the music and story have captured my heart and kept a need inside me to find it and get the hold of it again.
One day, when browsing through the animated movies pictures at the movie rental next to my house I saw it. I saw what I thought to be the picture ...
1. Miniature Overture; ACT 1 - Decoration of the Christmas Tree 2. March 3. Children's Galop and Entry of the Parents 4. Arrival of Drosselmayer 5. The Nutcracker and Grandfather Dance 6. Departure of the guests - Night 7. The Battle and Transformation Scene 8. The forest of fir trees in Winter (Journey through the snow) 9. Waltz of the Snowflakes 10. ACT 2 - The Enchanted Palace of the Kingdom of Sweets (The magic castle) 11. Arrival of Clara and the Nutcracker 12. Divertissement: 13. Chocolate (Spanish Dance); Coffee (Arab Dance); Tea (Chinese Dance); Trepak (Russian Dance); Dance of the Mirlitons (Flu 14. Waltz of the Flowers 15. Pas de deux (The Prince and the Sugar-Plum Fairy); Variation I (Tarantella); Variation II (Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy 16. Final Waltz and Apotheosis. 17. ADDITIONAL ITEM FOR DIVERTISSEMENT_Gigue (English Dance): orch Lanchbery.
Composer
Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
Genre
Stage works
Date Written
1892
Conductor
Edmon Colomer
Orchestra / Ensemble
Colonne Orchestra
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Listed on Ciao since
10/11/2008
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