Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Barenboim, Scherzer, Matz, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin
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Movie Reviews of Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Barenboim, Scherzer, Matz, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin
Movie Review: Barenboim's SWAN LAKE
Summary: 5 Stars
Tchaikovsky: SWAN LAKE. With Steffi Scherzer and Oliver Matz. Deutsche Staatsoper. Daniel Barenboim conductor.
There is more than one reason why people that love this wonderful ballet shouldn't loose this present edition: Not only the original idea of moving the action from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, not even the bravura of the dancers ( Steffi Scherzer is really wonderful...!), or the enchanting choreography for Drigo's 1895 additional number "Un Poco Di Chopin", but maybe, first of all, the incredible performance of the Deutsche Staatsoper conducted by Daniel Barenboim.
There are many editions of Swan Lake, and many of them have a notable or very good orchestral performances, but this one really has a splendid musical interpretation! Barenboim can be, once again, considered as one of the greatest interpreters of romantic music. The way he conducts this fantastic ballet is sensitive and deeply passionate as Tchaikovsky' s music really should be. The final scene is perhaps the most difficult part of this score to interpret well. Many conductors are not convincing or maybe fall when they have to play this finale, but Barenboim can conduct it without any week moment, perfectly expressing the highly emotional dramatism of the final scenes. Unfortunately this edition, as many others, isn't complete. Many numbers of the original score aren't performed. There are not so many operas or ballets that are so frequently cut as Swan Lake is. It would be pleasant to have DVD theatrical editions of the complete score much more often, but we can actually find them almost only in audio CDs.
Not less notable is Deutsche Staatsoper's "Nutcracker". Different dancers (wonderful too..), but same astonishing performance by Barenboim and his orchestra...
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Movie Review: A Severe Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
For fear of repeating what other reviewers have noted, let me just highlight some key points from my personal perspective:
- Barenboim is clueless when it comes to conducting a score for ballet;
- Patrice Bart is a second, if not third-rate choreographer, and he brings nothing new to the ballet -- worse yet, he detracts from the traditional choreography;
- Ms Scherzer is either too timid or simply incapable (perhaps due to age) of executing the brilliant moves required of Odile;
- Mr Matz spends too much time with a pained, goofy look on his face or massaging his scalp as a means of expressing emotion;
- Small choreographic delights that one comes to expect are missing (such as the flamboyant kicks of the two - or sometimes four - "big swans" in Act 2, only to be replaced by pathetic calf wobbles in this version);
- The gay and oedipal undertones add nothing to the drama.
If I had been in the audience that night in Berlin, I would have asked for every Pfennig back. Speaking of which, shame on the would-be DVD seller who at the time of writing is asking $150 and up for a copy of this pathetic performance.
Movie Review: Not magical
Summary: 3 Stars
If you love "Swan Lake", prepare to be frustrated. This is a competent production, with some very good dancing (especially from the male lead), and fantastic clear sound - but it is ultimately brought down by its own pretensions.
The changes to the story are many and few of them are effective. The main idea is simple: the story has been deliberately shorn of most of its magic. Gone is the breathtaking tableau of swans that is the Prince's first sight of the enchanted lake; gone are the elaborate stage sets; gone is much of the sparkle in costumes and dance. The Oedipal overtones reminiscent of some productions of "Hamlet" are running rampant in the person of a rather mediocre Queen, dancing far too many modernised and uninteresting steps. Rothbart now doubles as Prime Minister with a relationship with the Queen (how the mighty have fallen). Be prepared to see a lot of both of them.
Changes to the choreography reflect the changes to the story, but unsurprisingly, do not add much to it. The unfortunate consequence of adding the 'drama' with the Queen is that there are times when the camera tracks the character action on the stage at the expense of dancing -- even though nothing is actually going on with the characters. This results in at least one scene where we are treated to a minute of watching the Queen and her consort/Prime Minister/Rothbart drink a toast -- while the ballet continues just off-screen.
The lighting and sets are original but ultimately contribute to a sense of doom and depression. This, you may think, is the entire point -- and it may well be. But there is absolutely no reason for the court to be all pastel and grey in Act I, or for the lake to be a grey-lit pond in Act II, especially considering that it inexplicably turns into the more usual blue-lit magical place in Act IV. The lighting seems to be rather harsh, or perhaps shaded strangely (or it is the recording). Whatever the case, the swans look slightly corpse-like and the overall effect is not so much tragic as claustrophobic.
The dancing itself is fairly good, if not brilliant. Matz is excellent as Siegfried, his leaps especially are terrific. Scherzer is also good, although obviously too-careful and severely lacking expression in her movements. This may be stylistic, but it looks to me more like not having her heart in the role. It could also be due to the changes in the choreography, or simply not having a good day. Whatever the reason, she is competent but unexciting to watch.
Perhaps the biggest problem overall is that the changes just do not gel well with the entire ballet. Petipa's original practically screams to be let out of the straitjacket into which it has been thrust, and almost manages it in Act IV, with the (unexplained, and illogical) return to the magical blue-lit setting. However, the appearance of the Queen puts a lid on the magic and reasserts the pretentious nonsense -- and you can't help but come out of the experience feeling depressed and vaguely cheated.
Movie Review: A Nontraditional Version of Immense Quality!
Summary: 5 Stars
It is not entirely fair to compare this version of Swan Lake with other more traditional versions, otherwise I would rate this as the single finest Swan Lake in all of discography! First of all, how is this different from the usual offerings? The setting has been moved to the late 19th century still in Europe. More significantly, The part of the Queen has been made into a dancing part(danced on pointe) and instead of wanting her son to marry, she wants him to stay by her side. Rotbart has been made her prime minister(that appears to be his day job; evil magician by night). Both the Queen and Rotbart are given virtuoso dance solos. I have always liked to see Rotbart dance his part but I never thought of the Queen doing so. I particularly like the Czardas danced by Rotbart. The Queen also has an amazing adagio. The famous solo male adagio by the prince is here expanded, but based on the usual one, and done in the finest form I have ever seen. Keep in mind that though this is nontraditional(only in some ways), it is still completely classical. The artistic balance is perfect in this. If you are looking for a traditional Swan Lake don't buy this(go for the Swedish version), but if you want to see a very different Swan Lake with dancing that will knock your socks off, this is it!Movie Review: Steffi Scherzer
Summary: 5 Stars
Of all the different productions of Swan Lake that I have seen thus far, Steffi Scherzer is the best Principal dancer I have had the pure pleasure of watching. She is at one with her performance. The thing that I noticed most about her is delicate movement of her arms, which are so expressive and feminine. Actually, I really cannot convey as much as I would like about the beauty of her performance. Also, Oliver Mats'performance is wonderful. His turns and leaps are done quite excellently. My last praise goes to the ballet troupe in general, with special attention for the swans at the lake. They are ALL in step with one another from every angle. And speaking of angle, the camera work is excellent. It allows the viewer to see what the dancers are actually accomplishing. My only critism is that I didn't like the Queen Mother's elongated performance. This should not have been so. It was too long. And she should not have been the one to close the show. Bravo to Steffi Scherzer and to Oliver Matz.