Stevie

4 hours ago, Balletfanp said:

I was getting very irritated by the camera angles - why would we want to see a view from the side, for heaven’s sake?? And the sound was completely out of synch with the dancers in the pas de Deux part of the the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. Thankfully they had sorted it by the time they did their solos and coda. But Muntagirov had to cut off the end of his manage because there was no room on the stage for him to finish it.

 

All that said, I’ll take what I can get at the moment!

I am very grateful for ALL the events given to us in the times of this coronavirus pandemic thread, and to be in sufficient good health to be able to enjoy them. I suspect my 91 year old friend would have appreciated this Gala, were he not in a neurological hospital being treated for delirium, brought on by Covid infection. 

Scottish Ballet are releasing 'The Snow Queen' on 29th January, on DVD and Blu-Ray.

12 minutes ago, Stevie said:

 

I found this listing on KULTUR, stating it has been digitally enhanced, but appears at the moment to be DVD only.

 

This historic 1968 Covent Garden production of Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece captures Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Nureyev's legendary performance makes this the definitive "Nutcracker" on DVD. Also features Merle Park as Clara, with Artists of the Royal Ballet, London.

Now digitally re-mastered for DVD, this Nutcracker will be the highlight of every holiday season for years to come

I remain cautious. This has a different bar code to that released on KULTUR in 2000, but has exactly the same product code. I wonder if the mentioned digital tampering is when it was transferred to DVD from VHS.

26 minutes ago, David said:

 

I remain confused re this. Amongst my plethora of Nutcrackers, I have a performance recorded in 1985 in which Lesley Collier is partnered by Michael Coleman, and a performance from 1968, choreographed by Nureyev in which he is partnered by Merle Park as Clara. I had no knowledge of a performance in which Nureyev is partnered by Collier but now see it listed, DVD only, on amazon in which, contrary to the Nureyev/Collier listing, the blurb identifies it as the Nureyev/Park 1968 recording!!!

 

If the blurb is correct and it is the 1968 Nureyev/Park version, though it is a performance to be treasured, it would need a heck of a lot of restoration to justify a re-purchase if my current copy is anything to go by but perhaps with modern technology it will emerge in pristine form.

 

Like Stevie I find it an odd choice.

 

 

I found this listing on KULTUR, stating it has been digitally enhanced, but appears at the moment to be DVD only.

This historic 1968 Covent Garden production of Tchaikovsky's ballet masterpiece captures Rudolf Nureyev at the peak of his career. Nureyev's legendary performance makes this the definitive "Nutcracker" on DVD. Also features Merle Park as Clara, with Artists of the Royal Ballet, London.

Now digitally re-mastered for DVD, this Nutcracker will be the highlight of every holiday season for years to come

43 minutes ago, Naomi M said:

The Bolshoi's Jewels must be a pirated one. But there is a Mariinsky Ballet version (available on disc as well) which is a legal online version. 

Diamonds with Uliana Lopatkina is just divine.

 

 

 

 

There's also the POB version available on disc, but as I have stated in my begging mails to Naxos, neither of them come close to the Royal Ballet Version in my humble opinion.

Opus Arte are about to re issue the DVD  of The Nureyev/ Lesley Collier Nutcracker from the ROH. All that I can see is that it is re packaged. It is not clear if it has been restored or enhanced in any way.

I would have expected the recent Jewells to be a better commercial option, due to the modern filming techniques, but maybe hope for us yet.

17 minutes ago, Stevie said:

Currently being streamed complete on youtube

That is The Lovers Garden. Don't think our chances for Jewels on disc are very good, although the Bolshoi version with a good cast is currently streaming on youtube.

1 hour ago, David said:

Oh Stevie - I really must stop spending money - but as the man said I can resist anything but temptation! Can't see a cheap copy comparable to the Zurich/Hagen Dance and Quartet you found but I've set up a search on eBay and will wait for one to come along.  For now though I think I've got quite enough to keep me going!

 

Meanwhile, going back to your earlier comments abut the RB Jewels, I'm still hoping that this might still be released. I'm reminded of Menuhin's comment - "I admire virtuosity, I enjoy virtuosity but at the end of the day it is self-defeating". The same could be said about tchnology and the obsession with perfection. If such obsession had been in place in the past, many of the greatest performances ever released on record would never have been heard. We don't worry about the odd fluffed note or, for that matter the odd misstep in live performance. If Jewels can't be released on disk then it should be streamed. It was far too fine to be left to wither. 

Currently being streamed complete on youtube

On 08/10/2020 at 03:03, David said:

Wow, that's a bargain! I've always been a fan of the Hagens and have recordings by them going back to the 80s including the pieces on this disk. Their combination with the Zurich Ballet is a mouthwatering prospect so I've snapped it up. Something to watch while I'm waiting for the pre-orders! Thank you.

Should you find that you are interested by quartets and quintets fronted by ballet performance, you may wish to take a look at 'The Lovers Garden' from La Scala, if you don't already have it. Although not wishing to lead you to further expenditure, you can see my review on Amazon.

On 08/10/2020 at 03:03, David said:

Wow, that's a bargain! I've always been a fan of the Hagens and have recordings by them going back to the 80s including the pieces on this disk. Their combination with the Zurich Ballet is a mouthwatering prospect so I've snapped it up. Something to watch while I'm waiting for the pre-orders! Thank you.

I would be interested to learn how your recordings compare with this production. I haven't any recordings of theirs other than this and the sound is good played through a DAC.

L'Arlesienne, Paris Opera Ballet, Bizet,  is being streamed on 'Stingray Classica', available free with Amazon Prime and free 7 day trial, also on you tube. Stars Eleonora Abbagnato and Jeremie Belingard.

6 hours ago, David said:

Sorry Stevie - our contributions seem to have crossed. Helpful as always. Apart from Bayadere, there is of course Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Cellist/dances to look forward to. I have so many recordings of the Verdi Requiem, both audio and video, going back to the 50's but like the Ukraine Carmina Burana that I acquired on your recommendation yonks ago, the prospect of a choral, choreographed version is attractive, particularly since I have seen at least two of the soloists in performance at the Royal Opera. Not so keen of R&J - we've had rather a lot of that recently and the bar is pretty high but given the price reduction I've decided to have a punt. So thank you.   

Just watched my Verdi requiem through again and enjoyed even more than I remembered. However I also recall that I was wary of the Nutcracker and so didn't venture to buy it. Instead I invested in another Zurich ballet Blu-Ray production, currently available on ebay to buy, at £6, free p&p, very easy watching , 'Dance & Quartet / Blu Ray / Hagen Quartet / Zurcher Ballett / Heinz 3 Ballets.

1 hour ago, David said:

 

I already have 4 blu-rays on pre-order and that's just in the Dance category. Suddenly they seem to be coming think and fast. I'm ashamed to say I don't know Christian Spuck's work, let alone these productions and, committed though I am to supporting both the format and the Art form, I really would need some advice if I am to lash out on another 3 in these straitened times! Can anyone help please?     

I wouldn't call him contemporary, but  a modern take on classical style. Easy watching and I like his version of the Verdi Requiem best of these three. His colors are in his choreography and not in his staging. If it were available separately at a fare price, requiem would be my selection. I believe there are better Nutcracker and R&J's. I am currently spending nothing on Theater and so cost is not such an issue. My advise, for what it is worth, is, as long as you have La Bayadere on pre-order, then you are doing extremely well, a must have. When I purchase I have an additional decision, what is to go to make space for it and there are things that I do not want to part with. I do hope this helps, Regards, Steve

19 hours ago, Beryl H said:

 

 

Amazon have the Blu-Ray now for £21.81 (funny price) released on 6th November.

I've ordered it, sounds fascinating!

With more emphasis on male dancing in the first act, including a dancing High Brahmin, Indian influenced head and hand movements in the choreography, removal of the 'dead parrot scene' and retention of the purity of the final act, sounds excellent.

Ballet Zurich are releasing a Christian Spuck triple bill on DVD & Blu-Ray on 20th Nov 2020. Verdi Requiem, Nutcracker and Romeo &Juliet

1 hour ago, bridiem said:

 

Sorry, Stevie, I wasn't clear. I did 'like' your post because of the measures the studios are taking - I was just letting off steam generally!

In the present climate, its best to relieve pressure, otherwise we may just burst.

4 hours ago, bridiem said:

 

I get very tired of being told that my preferences, choices and tastes are out of kilter with the majority and so should no longer be catered for. It seems to me that a lot of tech 'advances' are simply ways of making more money for the providers and reducing choice for consumers.

 

Not sure what your preferences are ? However, if you note, this article states how the studios are setting about marketing discs  to meet the challenges of streaming. Thus whatever preferences an individual has, can be met. I suspect you have read it incorrectly.

I came across this article which reflects on the future of physical discs and clearly this business is responding to the challenges of streaming. It still continues to be a Multi Billion $ business. Of course performing arts is a small proportion of this, as is streaming.

'The market for DVD and Blu-ray discs has been on life support for years, as streaming has become the technology of choice for home video customers.
In the last decade, the U.S. market for physical discs has gone from a more than $10-billion business to roughly a third of that in terms of consumer spending, according to data from the Digital Entertainment Group.
But studios aren’t ready to give up just yet. Two major players, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros., have proposed an unusual plan to stay in the business of selling shiny physical discs.
The studios on Wednesday announced a plan to team up on a joint venture that, if approved by regulators, would handle North American distribution for DVDs, Blu-rays and 4K UHD discs for new releases, library titles and television shows. The idea is to combine resources to continue selling discs — while saving money.
The joint venture is expected to operate for up to 10 years, according to a news release.'

On 01/10/2020 at 09:32, David said:

 

Thanks for pointing us to this, Stevie. The Blu-Ray is up on Amazon but not available for Pre-order yet. Haven't found it anywhere else. The description is intriguing and I shall certainly go for it when it becomes available to order:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08JRGP574?pf_rd_r=DGCYAC5X0VAE7F6V2K6Y&pf_rd_p=e632fea2-678f-4848-9a97-bcecda59cb4e

 

 

Presto Classical for pre release to order now.

C-Major are releasing 'The Sleeping Beauty' (Nureyev Version) on DVD/BLU-RAY on 13th Nov 2020. Starring Polina Semionova, at La Scala Milan. Listed on Presto Classical.

https://youtu.be/38UFV3aT7Uc

1 hour ago, David said:

 

Thanks for pointing us to this, Stevie. The Blu-Ray is up on Amazon but not available for Pre-order yet. Haven't found it anywhere else. The description is intriguing and I shall certainly go for it when it becomes available to order:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08JRGP574?pf_rd_r=DGCYAC5X0VAE7F6V2K6Y&pf_rd_p=e632fea2-678f-4848-9a97-bcecda59cb4e

 

 

It stars Angelina Vorontsova as Nikiya. She left the Bolshoi right after the acid attack on Felin. Supposedly she was being held back unfairly and the girlfriend of Dmitrichenko. I was wondering how she turned out given opportunity and here it is. It is up on youtube, all three acts, so had a sneak peek. Very good I would say. 

Bel-Air Classical are releasing on 6th Nov, La Bayadere,  Mikhailovsky Theatre, Nacho Duato after Petipa. Trailer on Vimeo & youtube.

26 minutes ago, Rob S said:

 

The ROH posted out an A3 sized seating plan as part of its campaign to get people to spend as much as £10,000 to name a seat after you or a loved one.

Checked it out. It says

"it is great to know that each performance someone will be sitting in ‘their seat’, wondering who they are!"

I always got into an argument when someone was sitting in my seat. Just shows how unreasonable I was.

9 minutes ago, Rob S said:

 

Well they don't need to include a pullout poster of the ROH seating plan as I got one of those through the post this morning....and the accompanying literature left me surprised beyond words!!

This was filmed on location, not at ROH. I doubt that OPUS ARTE or NAXOS have any knowledge of ROH seating plans.

40 minutes ago, oncnp said:

There was a short but interesting "making of" when it was shown on public television in the US . Hope they include that at least.

Opus Arte are usually very good with bonus extras.

https://youtu.be/9tJgc-Cbykc

https://youtu.be/c3SfdssLVUw

https://youtu.be/ZULd-gEAKMo