George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

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Tchaikovsky's timeless Yuletide ballet is presented in an all-new movie version with as much eloquence as one would find in a live stage production. Replete with gorgeous costumes and scenery, George Balanchine's production, adapted by Peter Martins, features the New York City Ballet with narration by Kevin Kline. From the moment the Nutcracker prince winds toymaker Drosselmeier's life-sized dolls, viewers are ushered into the captivating story of a little girl's Christmas Eve fantasy of beauty, magic, and sugarplums. While several versions of this beloved tale are available in video, this one is distinguished for the magnificent performances of a large cast of young ballet dancers from the School of American Ballet. While Culkin lends his star-studded name, that is all he lends in what is mostly a wooden performance (he often appears on the sidelines looking quite blasé and detached). More deserving accolades go to Jessica Lynn Cohen as Marie, whose genuineness never wanes and dance steps never falter. Bart Robinson Cook is wonderful as the playful Herr Drosselmeier, and Darci Kistler is the graceful Sugarplum Fairy. Mostly this film belongs to children--both on the stage and in the audience. What is lacking in spontaneous energy of live theater is made up for in a perfectly polished performance. The only thing missing is the well-earned applause. --Lynn Gibson

Description

Angels and sugarplums. Candy canes and ice. A magic prince, a dreamy young girl, a mysterious old man and a Christmas tree that grows sky high. Enter the world of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, featuring the New York City Ballet, and let this all-new movie version of a timeless Yuletide fantasy, narrated ny Academy Award(R) winner Kevin Kline, draw you under its spell. Starring Macaulay Caulkin, Darci Kistler and Bart Robinson Cook. Year: 1993 Director: Emile Ardolino Starring: Bart Robinson Cook, Macaulay Caulkin, Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel

Customer Reviews:

Esta es la versión clásica.......2007-09-17

Es la version original, un poco antigua, el sonido no es muy bueno. Pero mis hijas disfrutaron viéndolas. Las balletistas son buenas. En lo particular prefiero que Clara sea adolecente porque es mas bailada la obra.

It's good but the greatest Nutcracker I've seen was Baryishnikov's ABT.......2007-06-30

Had I not seen the American Ballet Theatre Nutcracker with Baryishnikov dancing and choreographing, I would probably have given this one 4 stars. The Balanchine Nurcracker is pretty: Cute children, exquisite costumes, nice props, artistic scenery. But the ABT version is just marvelous. I've been to dozens and dozens of ballet performances and seen others on TV, but the Baryishnikov Nutcracker is the best ballet performance I've ever seen. The scene where the Nutcracker battles the mice is particularly superb.

Fun for the kids to watch.......2007-04-29

Treat your kids at Christmastime to good music and performance.

For Children.......2007-04-26

This performance might be suitable for children. I was only able to watch the first act. There was no ballet. It was just the children running and jumping around. Even if it is dated, I think the version with Baryshnikov is the best.Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Baryshnikov, Kirkland, Charmoli

It is true magic.......2007-04-25

The story of the Nutcracker Prince is a very enchanting story. The first time i saw this movie i was in the fourth grade, and now that i have it on DVD i can watch it anytime i want to. The movie is really about Clara (Megan Follows) who is given a nutcracker by her Uncle Drosselmier. The nutcracker is really his son Hans (Keifer Southerland), transformed by a bite by the mousequeen. It is a beautiful story and the characters are memorable.

Balanchine - Jewels / Aurelie Dupont, Alessio Carbone, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Agnes Letestu, Jean-Guillaume Bart, Clairemarie Osta, Kader Belarbi, Paris Opera Ballet

Average customer rating:

beautiful stuff, beautifully filmed
Beautiful Balanchine
My favorite!
5 Stars, were it not for the poor picture quality
I got a headache

Balanchine - Jewels / Aurelie Dupont, Alessio Carbone, Marie-Agnes Gillot, Agnes Letestu, Jean-Guillaume Bart, Clairemarie Osta, Kader Belarbi, Paris Opera Ballet
Starring: Mathieu Ganio Laetitia Pujol , and Eleonora Abbagnato, Emmanuel Thibault Nolwenn Daniel
Manufacturer: BBC / Opus Arte
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ASIN: B000FA577G
Release Date: 2006-06-20

Amazon.com

Balanchine's three-part, evening-long ballet, Jewels, is one of the jewels of his output. Created in 1967, Jewels revisits the central pillars of his glorious career. Thus, the first of the trio, Emeralds, to music by Fauré, is an homage to the French school of ballet; a Romantic episode in which soft-core lyricism comes to the fore. The second ballet, set to Stravinsky, Rubies, celebrates American dance virtues, filled with sexy Broadway and jazz references. Finally, Diamonds, with music from Tchaikovsky, takes us to Mr. B's roots in St. Petersburg with a dazzling tribute to Russian ballet tradition. Each of the works is pure Balanchine, full of the abstract stage patterns, novel arm and feet movements, and virtuoso fireworks typical of his style. Jewels is superb in this video taken from live 2005 performances of the National Opera Ballet in its home playing field, the jewel box of Paris' Palais Garnier. The French company excels in meeting Balanchine's demands. All the featured principals turn in breathtaking performances and the highlight may be the way they turn Diamonds, which often goes flat in performance, into a thrilling experience.

The costumes and sets, designed by Christian Lacroix, are precisely what this ballet needs, with backdrops of green for Emeralds, red, Rubies, and a cool blue crossed by a glittering cloud-like necklace for Diamonds. The video direction captures the feeling of being in the hall, with full-stage shots interspersed with views of soloists or ensemble sections that are never too close-up and respect the need for air and space around the dancers. Included is an excellent documentary film about Balanchine and Jewels, with cogent interviews and exemplary excerpts from the ballet. No lover of dance should be without this. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

beautiful stuff, beautifully filmed.......2007-06-19

All I can do is rave. Thanks POB and the makers of this film.
The special feature could have handled an interview or two with the male
stars, but that isn't terribly important to me anyway.

Did I mention how much I liked this work (since viewing it on US PBS several decades ago)?

Beautiful Balanchine.......2007-05-13

This DVD of the Paris Opera Ballet's production of Balanchine's "Jewels" is excellent. This full length ballet (with no story!) is a display of gorgeous dancing and beautiful dancers. "Jewels" is one of my favorite ballets and this is one of the best productions that I have seen, and I have seen this ballet performed by 3 different ballet companies.
One of the highlights is that the costume design is new, but this might not be noticable for a first time viewer. A slight criticism would be the backdrops.....they are not terribly imaginative! My favorite sections are Emeralds (the green act) and Diamonds (the white act) although most people would say that their favorite is "Rubies" (the red act) and "Rubies" is performed the most by various ballet companies as a stand-alone ballet.
I recommend this DVD for all ballet lovers. However a beginner ballet-lover might miss the 'swans' and 'princesses' !!
The opening scenes of the magnificent lobby of the Paris Opera House is enough to make one jump on a plane and be there in person.

My favorite!.......2007-04-17

I am very happy with this DVD -- the quality in terms of camera work, the sound (I have 5.1), and just how beautifully the menu is set up, is amazing. This is one of my favorite ballets of all times, and it's great to watch it when I want to :)

5 Stars, were it not for the poor picture quality.......2007-03-02

I watched it on big screens (57 and 106 inches) and whenever there is fast movement or the camera moves, the dancers are not sharp. I even wrote OpusArte about it, but was informed they don't see any problems with it.
The performance itself is outstanding, but the DVD is visually poorly produced.

I got a headache.......2007-02-22

I would like to give this DVD 5 stars but the truth is, I could barely get through it. It had nothing to do with the dancing. Every time a dancer moved, the movements were blurry. I kept thinking there was something wrong with my DVD player, which is brand new or with my eyes but I realized it was the way it was filmed. The strain of trying to focus in with my eyes ended up giving me a headache and I had to turn it off. I was very bummed out! I am a huge fan of Paris Opera Ballet and was looking forward to watching this DVD but it turned out to be a waste of money because it is truly unwatchable.

Choreography By Balanchine / Chaconne, Prodigal Son, Ballo Della Regina, Elegie, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux

Average customer rating:

also a dream come true
FINALLY!...ONE OF THE MISSING BALLET JEWELS ON DVD

Choreography By Balanchine / Chaconne, Prodigal Son, Ballo Della Regina, Elegie, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux
Starring: New York City Ballet , George Balanchine , and Suzanne Farrell
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
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ASIN: B000228SX2
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Customer Reviews:

also a dream come true.......2007-04-22

PBS: Great Performances > Dance In America > Choreography by Balanchine >:
Parts 3 and 4 of 4 (1977)

I saw some of this series on TV back in 1978. I was awe-striken. I was a twenty-year fan of Stravinsky's music already and impressed by the composer's high opinion of this dance master (Mr. B). Seeing it for myself (being unable to go to NYC and actually attend) was totally thrilling and indelibly memorable.

After getting the first DVD and playing it to death, I hungered for more and bought this one. I'm sure glad I did.

Chaconne, with music by Gluck, is ravishingly beautiful stuff. The costuming is all white, so the series producer talked Mr. B into a scenario and decor, with clouds, mountains and (?) other stuff. I saw ballet to this music in the opera Orpheus and Eurydice many decades ago. I recall the male dancers wore greco-roman soldier costumes. This version was a specialty made by Mr. B when he and his American Ballet Company were employed by the Metropolitan Opera. Apparently the opera management didn't see any need for more than a perfunctory dance number in the opera. Mr. B thought he had full license to extend the role of dancing in opera. That partnership did not survive.

Prodigal Son, with music by Prokofiev, is the real reason I ordered this DVD. This work is a landmark, both unusual for Balanchine and for Diaghilev too. This was the last work created for the old impressario (and his Ballet Russe) while he lived. I suppose it counter-balances the plotless dances on the first DVD. The biblical parable is reduced in complexity, with the son's degradation reduced to bad associates plus a seductress. The end of the ballet I had seen already on TV: the son crawls to his father, literally climbs into his father's arms and gets wrapped in his father's robe. The son is played by Michail Baryshnikov.

I have noted my favorites. The other dances on this DVD are swell. I especially like the two Tschaikowsky works.

FINALLY!...ONE OF THE MISSING BALLET JEWELS ON DVD.......2004-06-16

A MUST HAVE for ballet dancers, dance teachers and coreographers. This dvd bring us back the presition in movements and beatifull lines of Mr. genius Balanchine's creations. kind of old videorecordings...but still the magic on it. there are some works missing on this dvd and the other one (tzigane/jewels...etc) like serenade, star and stripes...etc...we hope in the future comes out more balanchines dvds with all the great coreographies and great music that he always used.

Average customer rating:

WONDERFUL
A good introduction to Balanchine's work
Completely impersonal biography
Lovely tribute to the great choreographer
Great archival footage!

Balanchine
Starring: George Balanchine
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
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ASIN: B00019G8BA
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Description

As seen on public television. Regarded as the "father of American ballet," George Balanchine's legacy lives on in his prolific body of choreographic work. Creating over 450 works, Balanchine is, arguably, the foremost contemporary choreographer of the 20th century. Through rare archival audio and video footage, interviews, film, and photographs, this program traces Balanchine's life from his youth at the Maryinsky Theater, through his work for Hollywood and Broadway, to his ultimate creation of the New York City Ballet. It also focuses on the themes of his work and his thoughts on dancemaking, using interviews with the choreographer himself. Features selections of his vast repertory of ballets, including Chaconne, Agon, Symphony in C, Serenade, Apollo, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, among others.

Customer Reviews:

WONDERFUL.......2007-06-08

Tons of rare and wonderful dance footage from his ballets spanning four decades and featuring many of his greatest dancers, primarily Suzanne Farrell, his queen. Fascinating, tons of info and beautiful music, definetly an interesting watch even if you're not a ballet fan. Many of Balanchine's dancers are featured in ballets throughout, but none of them are interviewed except Balanchine himself. Instead, the focus is more on the ballets themselves by the narrator. I'm assuming no other interviews besides Balanchine were added because of time limit, but I would have been interested to hear what his dancers had to say about him and their dancing, or how certain dancers inspired him and why, especially his favorite and most impassioned ballerina, Suzanne Farrell. Though there was extensive dance footage of Farrell throughout, I would have loved it if they had interviewed her too (but you can read her book or see her documentary, etc.) and perhaps some other dancers as well. But aside from the lack of dancer interviews, this movie is without question an abolute MUST SEE for fans of Balanchine, ballet, or art lovers in general.

A good introduction to Balanchine's work.......2006-02-26

Since I knew little about either the life or the work of Balanchine, I really enjoyed this documentary. I had no idea he was so instrumental in bringing ballet to the United States. My main complaint was that the film was too short. We found out almost nothing about the dancers Balanchine worked with, and we saw only snippets of the ballets. I thought it particularly odd that although Suzanne Farrell appeared in dozens of clips, more than any other ballerina, nothing at all was said about her.

Completely impersonal biography.......2005-01-22

I've never seen a biography that contained less personal information about its subject. This DVD, for example, never mentions Balanchine's marriages to the dancers Maria Tallchief and Tanquil leClerc, or his obsession with the forty-years-younger Suzanne Farrell. These relationships are important for more than just gossipy reasons - all three women had a significant effect on his work. There are some good performance clips on the DVD, but the selection is oddly biased: lots and lots of Peter Martins, but never a glimpse of Edward Villella. A fine "starter CD" for those just learning about Balanchine, but frustrating for fans.

Lovely tribute to the great choreographer.......2004-09-19

This dvd, originally seen on PBS, is a great tribute to the Russian-born choreographer George Balanchine, who founded the New York City Ballet and is often creditted with bringing classical ballet to the United States. This documentary focuses almost exclusively on his professional and artistic life, and this is right and proper. There are books, as well as several documentaries ("Dancing for Mr. B," "Elusive Muse") which focus on Balanchine's complicated personal life. Here, we can just look at his great artistic creations.
There;s archival footage of so many great ballerinas and ballet dancers that were Mr. B's inspiration. Tanaquiel le Clercq (who judging from the footage may have been the most beautiful ballerina to ever step onstage), Diana Adams, Maria Tallchief, Edward Villela, Allegra Kent, Suzanne Farrell, Peter Martins, Patricia McBride ... None of the dancers are interviewed, perhaps because of time constraints. But just the footage of the dancing was enough to keep me happy. I was struck by Mr. B's diversity -- there are many clips of his ballets, and it's a testament to Mr. B's genius that I was always upset when the clips ended, because I wanted to see more.
There are also several interviews with Mr. B. His soft, gentle voice and almost childlike enthusiasm are infectious. Particularly amusing are the clips of him and Igor Stravinsky, the composer whose music whom Mr. B set so many of his best ballets (Rubies, Apollo, Agon et al.) Mr. B talks about his love of cats and cooking. So even though the documentary focuses squarely on the artistic, these interviews with Mr. B humanize him. Read the various memoirs and autobiographies for Mr. B's darker, more complex side: he was famously possessive of his ballerinas, and did not think they should have families or even personal lives apart from him. This video focuses purely on Balanchine as a creative artist.
Recently, more extensive dvd's have been released of Mr. B's complete ballets. But this documentary is still a must-see, a wonderful tribute to one of the 20th century's most prolific and remarkable artists.

Great archival footage!.......2004-04-07

I saw this documentary when it was on public television, and it was fabulous. I have read a lot about Balanchine and his dancers, and actually seeing them was amazing. There is even footage of Pavlova and Tanaquil LeClerq dancing in their prime. A definite must-see for ballet and Balanchine enthusiasts!

Average customer rating:

They called Suzanne Farrell elusive for a reason.....
Dancing is better than sex
What a treat !
Portrait of a Beautiful and Wonderful Life
A Tantalizing Look at a Ballet Goddess

Suzanne Farrell - Elusive Muse
Starring: Jacques d'Amboise , Jorge Donn , Paul Mejia , George Balanchine , and Suzanne Farrell
Director: Anne Belle , and Deborah Dickson
Manufacturer: Winstar
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ASIN: B00005KA78
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Amazon.com

Romantic triangles. Unconsummated passion. Jealousy. Revenge. Just another day offstage at the New York City Ballet for ballerina Suzanne Farrell and her mentor, legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Elusive Muse traces the development of Farrell into an extraordinary performer while trying to define her passionate professional and personal relationship with "Mr. B." (Farrell says dancing with Balanchine was "more passionate, more loving" than a sexual relationship would have been.) Relying heavily on interviews with Farrell and her longtime dance partner, Jacques d'Amboise (who calls her a "goddess" and the "last, great muse for Balanchine"), the film follows her evolution from awestruck student to inspiration--Balanchine created some of his most breathtaking ballets for her, and lengthy footage of them, including "Diamonds" and "Mozartiana," is shown. The story is as tortured as ballet's best: Marriage to another dancer causes their banishment from the company and she's forced to dance in Europe to keep her career alive, but she triumphantly reunites (professionally) with her mentor. While performance footage documents her artistry, interviews with other dancers and choreographers testify to her growing talent and help explain how Mr. B worked. "God sent her to me," he is quoted as saying. Here, the rest of us get to glory in his handiwork. --Valerie J. Nelson

Customer Reviews:

They called Suzanne Farrell elusive for a reason............2007-06-14

There is also a good reason for beautiful and accomplished ballerina Suzanne Farrell's muse status. For the first time (as is documented in this film), Suzanne Farrell came out of her self-imposed silence as far as her relationship with the legendary choreographer, the late George Balanchine (or "Mr. B," as Farrell knew him), as well as other aspects of her personal life, from her formative years at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Balanchine's School of American Ballet up through her years at the New York City Ballet, as a member of the corps de ballet and then, later, as a principal dancer. Farrell was nothing short of a true inspiration for George Balanchine, and there were a couple of significant relationships in Suzanne's life that created a strain between her and Mr. B. Those connections include that with her mother and then with fellow dancer, Paul Mejia, who eventually became her husband. Though, aspects of her personal life are delved into, we also see wonderful footage from some of the most beautiful roles of her career. Farrell has such poise and grace, like no other dancer I have seen. The woman moves like the most graceful angel, fallen to earth. I can see why Mr. Balanchine was so drawn to her, as a dancer, and enjoyed dancing with her so much (some feel a little too much, even). I would definitely reccomend this film because it features great anecdotal footage with numerous dancers who worked with Suzanne Farrell and knew her well, professionally, as well as personally, and also really gives us a better sense of a true American Master in the dance world.

Dancing is better than sex.......2006-01-17

Others have already made clear that this is an inspiring documentary. I would simply add that one of the things that I found most moving was Suzanne's characterization of dancing with Balanchine as transcending anything that could have arisen from actual sex. She makes us believe that meeting another in one's devotion to art is one of the most meaningful experiences available to human beings.

What a treat !.......2005-11-03

I am only marginally knowledgeable about ballet, having seen fewer than a dozen NYCB and ABT performances primarily to hear the music (e.g., The Four Temperaments). I don't even know why I decided to purchase this DVD, but I'm so glad I did ! I found it completely engrossing, and now I'm driven to explore ballet further. There is amazing footage, but it was the Don Quixote clips which brought tears to my eyes, the music, choreography, and execution were so lovely. Farrell's Don Q solo is absolutely stunning ! I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who has even the slightest interest in ballet.

Portrait of a Beautiful and Wonderful Life.......2004-11-20

Overall, the documentary "Suzanne Farrell - Elusive Muse" is a masterpiece. It takes us from her childhood in Cincinnati through her move with her mother to New York City to her audition for Mr. B, and on to both her first and second tenures with the NYC Ballet and her stay in Brussels with Maurice Bejart in between from the late 60's through about '74. The interviews with Paul Mejia, her former husband; Maurice Bejart, Jacques d'Amboise, Edward Villella, Arthur Mitchell, her own mother, and of course Suzanne Farrell herself were so honest, insightful, and very poignant. D'Ambroise was quite correct in characterizing her performance in Don Quixote as "demonic"...but then clarifying his description by saying that during her performance, she appeared to have been possessed not really by a demon but by a goddess. She truly became the music, combining impeccable technique with transcendent, poetic and musical interpretation. The mounting agony Ms. Farrell recounts in describing the night she ultimately decided to leave Mr. B's company the first time, coupled with both her and her own mother's admission that her "stage" mother really would have preferred that she remain alone, and not marry Paul Mejia for fear of antagonizing Mr. B, is very touching, and one can't help but be completely empathetic with her predicament at that point in her life.

Watching her walk along the Seine recounting her first trip to Paris as a performer at the age of 19, during which time she enjoyed many quiet walks throughout the city with Balanchine, brought back too many memories of my own junior year abroad in Paris. But unlike her, I occasionally have some "if only's" in my life today, including one in which I sometimes wish that I had remained in Paris beyond one year to further pursue studies and a career in opera. Marketing won out...but that's an aside.

The only shortcoming of this documentary is that more of her performances should have been showcased! Though a very good cross-section of stills, her rehearsals, her performances, and her role as teacher is portrayed, I craved more! Therefore, a note to the directors, archivists, and anyone else who may have access to more of her on film: please create a compilation of all her performances available on DVD.

The ending is wonderful (and I won't give it away, though others have already quoted her), but I would make a sequel, if you will, to portray her life today, as teacher, choreographer, and founder of her own company. (This sequel should accompany the requested separate DVD of all of her rehearsals and performances). I would also like to find out why she and Paul Mejia split up (in 1997), if they would care to share.

Listening to the glorious music alone transports me to another level, as does the story that so artfully unfolds. But of course, to see her dancing draws me into a completely beautiful, idyllic world that I never want to leave. And for that reason, I watch the film fairly regularly. In the end, this documentary is a completely moving, honest portrait of a beautiful, intelligent, articulate, compassionate and very gifted artist who led a wonderful, passionate, and very charmed life.

A Tantalizing Look at a Ballet Goddess .......2004-09-17

Those curious about Suzanne Farrell's biography will find this disc very satisfying. Those more interested in her art will end up tantalized by the ballet excerpts but wanting much much more. The two very short scenes from Balanchine's exquisitely choreographed "Midsummer Night's Dream" were nothing short of astonishing. I am very familiar with this ballet and have never seen the Titania part danced with such a combination of art and ahtleticism, technical perfection and naturalistic abandon. A search of the Internet reveals no available discs or tapes of these Farrell performances. Can't some company put together a collection of excerpts? Or better, how about issuing the entire "Midsummer Night's Dream"? The image quality and camera work were very good. The odd musical instrumentation did not particularly detract. I assume the MSD performance is currently on tape. Let's get it on discs before the tapes degrade!

Choreography By Balanchine / Tzigane, Andante from Divertimento No 15, The Four Temperaments, Selections from Jewels, Stravinsky Violin Concerto

Average customer rating:

Not on music!
a dream come true
Don't buy it!
out-of-sync problem still not fixed
Great Dancing but the sound is Out of Synch!

Choreography By Balanchine / Tzigane, Andante from Divertimento No 15, The Four Temperaments, Selections from Jewels, Stravinsky Violin Concerto
Starring: New York City Ballet , George Balanchine , Suzanne Farrell , and Merrill Ashley
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000228SWS
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Customer Reviews:

Not on music!.......2007-08-03

I was extremely shocked to see that the dancing was not synchronised with the music. The dancers are wonderful, as is the choreagraphy of George Balanchine, and it's most unfortunate that the DvD is obviously flawed.

a dream come true.......2007-04-22

PBS: Great Performances > Dance In America > Choreography by Balanchine >:
Parts 1 and 2 of 4 (1977)

I saw some of this series on TV back in 1978. I was awe-striken. I was a twenty-year fan of Stravinsky's music already and impressed by the composer's high opinion of this dance master (Mr. B). Seeing it for myself (being unable to go to NYC and actually attend) was totally thrilling and indelibly memorable.

Not mentioned here by other reviewers is that this is parts 1 and 2 of 4 parts made in Nashville TN. By the time I found out about the HVS tapes and their tranfer to DVD, I already had read Bernard Taper's biography of GB (with super photographs!) and became a Balanchine admirer in general (not just Stravinsky-Balanchine!). Some PBS celebration shows helped.

I like all of it. I haven't been bothered by any video/audio unsynchronicity (if there really is any) on this DVD.

Let me rave on about my very favorite dances.

The Four Temperaments, music by Hindemith - I am amused by the tale that Mr. B had some cash ahead after working for Broadway and Hollywood, so he commissioned the piece of music from Hindemith. I don't know of anyone else who would celebrate a financial return into the black this way. Mr. B didn't even have a dance company at the time. But then he and Lincoln Kirstein started Ballet Society, with would end up evolving into NYCB. The story is pure Balanchine: the music comes first; the dance makes the music visual.

Stravinsky Violin Concerto, music by Stravinsky (of course!) - Mr. B made two choreographies of this concerto: Balustrade in the 1940s and Violin Concerto after Stravinsky's passing on. This one is the second of these. Unlike the first, it is plain, without storyline, decor or special costuming. The music is the story.

The dancers are so young (and beautiful!) in this film. Some of them would achieve great dancing and teaching careers. But others must testify to the exact quality of dancing on this film. I couldn't tell you the differences between demi-pliés and battements fondus. I just like what I see and hear.

Don't buy it!.......2007-01-25

YES....let this and the other 1 star review stop you from buying this DVD. The works on it are masterpieces, but the lousy inexcusable tech problems do not deserve your hard earned money! The music is off by maybe a second, but c'mon....this isn't American Bandstand. It's BALLET...precision is the rule. I would hope you would care enough to mind, whether you've seen the ballets before or not.
"The 4 Temperaments" is the best of Balenchine. A piece of perfection to fantastic music by Hindeminth. The choreography actually enhances the already brilliant score. But if dancers are not dancing to the beats, it is ruined and that's what you have here. It is unwatchable!

out-of-sync problem still not fixed.......2005-09-12

I recently bought this DVD, and the out-of-sync problem is still not fixed. The problem is blatantly noticeable with "Tzigane", no less because of the telltale hand-slap just before the end of the ballet. With "The 4 Temperaments", it's rather like a niggling pain that just gets on your nerves. I've also written to Nonesuch, but as with the other reviewer, they haven't responded. Having said all that, however, I would still highly recommend it if only because it is still a valuable record of NYCB in its golden age. Farrell in "Diamonds" is peerless. The other alternative would be to get it on VHS, which doesn't have the out-of-sync problem.

Great Dancing but the sound is Out of Synch!.......2004-07-22

Don't waste your money. Unfortunately, this long awaited DVD was transferred badly and the sound in part one is out of synch by several counts. Suzanne Farrell and Merrill Ashley are dancing off the music and it is very annoying. It is unbelievable that something like this could happen when you take into consideration that Balanchine was probably the most musical choreographer that ever lived. Never pedantic, always magical. I did inform the Balanchine Trust. They were surprised and are looking into it. They are aware that the transfer was done incorrectly. The company that produced the DVD, Nonesuch was also called but did not respond. Wait until it?s fixed unless you like dancing 4 counts behind the music.

The Nutcracker Family - Behind the Magic

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The Nutcracker Family - Behind the Magic
Director: Virginia Brooks
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Audition
Rehearsals
Final run throughs and archival footage of dress rehearsals
Backstage during the performances
Reminiscences from the 50th Anniversary reunion

ASIN: B000TU3T4U

Product Description

The first Saturday in October and the children from the School of American Ballet attend an audition that may change their world for the next twelve weeks! The Nutcracker Family - Behind the Magic is a feature length film about the children who enter the stage door to rehearse and perform today, and those who performed during the last fifty years of George Balanchines The NutcrackerTM. Emphasizing the rewarding aspects of hard work and mutual respect as moral values and as elements of fulfillment and simple fun, it presents the preeminent role of the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet in establishing the Nutcracker as an American cultural institution, a traditional ritual.

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Charlie Rose (March 2, 2007)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000OYNVHG
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Description

In an exclusive hour-long conversation, Charlie sits down with famed ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Baryshnikov discusses recounts memorable moments from his career, including a performance at the White House choreographed by George Balanchine. He a

The New York City Ballet Workout Volumes 1 and 2 (2 Pack)

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The New York City Ballet Workout Volumes 1 and 2 (2 Pack)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Full Screen
Language: English
Interviews, Original Theatrical Trailer(s)
Interactive Menus, Scene Selections
2 Disc Set

ASIN: B000REJ3DO

Product Description

Volume 1: The NEW YORK CITY BALLET WORKOUT is a program that consists of fifty stretches and exercises designed to help one develop the grace and poise of a dancer. Created by Peter Martins, New York City Ballets Ballet Master in Chief, this program allows anyone to experience both the leanness and flexibility ballet can impart to one's limbs as well as the peace and relaxation it can bring to one's mind. Once a secret of the world's elite dance studios, these easy to learn workouts have been arranged into a comprehensive, holistic program that is the perfect workout for anyone of any age. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Volume 2: Ballet expert Peter Martins brings you the second installment in his NEW YORK CITY BALLET WORKOUT series, concentrating on upper body, lower body, stretching, and much more! A valuable introduction is included, for those new to these kind of exercises, as well as a glossary of terms, and a movement section inspired by George Balanchine's ballet "Tarantella."

Charlie Rose with Lawrence Summers, John Lipsky & Henry Kaufman; Joe Pytka; Allegra Kent (March 26, 1997)

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Charlie Rose with Lawrence Summers, John Lipsky & Henry Kaufman; Joe Pytka; Allegra Kent (March 26, 1997)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Charlie talks to financial analysts John Lipsky, Henry Kaufman and Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers about the rise in interest rates. Next, Charlie talks to the "King of Commercials" Joe Pytka about directing ads for Nike, McDonald's and Pepsi. Pytka also won a Grammy last night for Best Music Video Short Form for the Beatles Free as a Bird. Finally, dancer Allegra Kent discusses her career with the New York City Ballet and her work with George Balanchine.

DVD:

DVD

DVD