Stars of the Russian Ballet / Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Boris Asafiev
by G. Rappaport
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: B.V. Asafiev, Galina Ulanova, Vakhtang ChabukianiDirector: G. Rappaport
Brand: Kultur
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 82 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: KULTUR VIDEO
Movie Reviews of Stars of the Russian Ballet / Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Boris Asafiev
Movie Review: A common man's point of view.
Summary: 5 Stars
The picture you see on the cover of "Stars of the Russian Ballet" is Maya Plisetskaya dancing the part of Zarema, the favorite concubine of Khan Girzi, in the ballet "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai". There really is such a fountain. It is located at the Bakhchisarai Palace in the Crimea near Yalta. It is known as the Fountain of Tears. The ballet is adapted from a poem by Alexander Pushkin written in 1823. The music is by Boris Asafiev. Of course, what makes this ballet such a collectable work is the fact that two prima ballerinas of the Bolshoi Ballet are dancing in it together. The only known filmed record of both Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya dancing together. Both these ballerinas were awarded the title Prima Ballerina Assoluta, but not at the same time (I don't think). I think Galina had left the Bolshoi before Maya was given that title. If you really love Maya Plisetsksya, get her autobiography....I, Maya Plisetskaya....and don't be afraid to get a used copy if can't afford a new one. I bought a very good used hard back copy at a very good price through Amazon. Read my review on it. By the way, only TEN ballerinas in the entire history of ballet have been honored with the title PRIMA BALLERINA ASSOLUTA. FOUR of those so honored are still alive, they are Maya Plisetskaya, Anneli Elisabeth Alhanko, Alessandra Ferri, and Alicia Alonso. The other SIX are, Pierina Legnani (the first), Mathilde Kachessenska (the second), Galina Ulanova, Margo Fonteyn, Philis Spira, and Alicia Markova. (Ref. Wikipedia)
The first ballet on this disc is Swan Lake, a shortened version, only 35/40 minutes, but uses two ballerinas in the roles of Odette/Odile. Galina Ulanova is Odette and Natalia Dudinskaya is Odile. It was a depiction of Odile as a bird and not a swan. Maya Plisetskaya tells us that the Russians always depicted Odile as a black bird until the West began depicting her as a black swan. They then, began depicting her as a swan also. Rothbart is depicted as an Owl. The transformation of Odette the swan into Odette the human was trick photography of perfection, you could not see any overlapping of the scenes. It is a typical Russian ending with the destruction of the evil Rothbart and the transformation of the white swans into beautiful maidens.
The third ballet is The Flames of Paris, which I think the the Soviets consider is propaganda at it's best. There are several very good solos from Vakhtang Chabnukiani and Musa Gottlieb, neither of whom I have heard of before. This music is also by Boris Asafiev.
There are three good little ballets on this disc, which has a running time of 82 minutes, only fair color, fair sound they claim to be Dolby 2.0, but which I doubt. Both the Bolshoi and Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theatre are featured on this disc. It is worth the price of admission to see Galina and Maya in the same ballet......Richard.
More Stars of the Russian Ballet / Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Boris Asafiev reviews:
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Summary of Stars of the Russian Ballet / Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Boris Asafiev
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