loveclassics Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Watching a programme about Shostakovich today On SKY Arts and a clip from the ballet 'The Bolt' was shown. I wasn't aware of this ballet before - has anyone seen a performance? What did you think of it? Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Yes - it was shown on TV (possibly Sky) some year's ago and I recorded it. The opening in the factory is very strong. Giant mechanical figures & smoke actually made me think of the Terminator movies!!! Some very inventive "drill" movements for the workers at that point too. The rest as far as I remember (must watch it again) is also good - what one would expect from the choreographer Ratmansky whose career has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Shostakovich is also one of my favourite composers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) The best description of this ballet was made by Dmitry Shostakovich himself: “The plot is of vital importance here. There was an engine, then it packed up (extensive wear problem). Then it was repaired (amortisation problem). Then they all dance around the new engine. Apotheosis. All this fills three acts...” The composer didn't live long enough to see Ratmanasky's production. Edit: the last line added. Edited February 14, 2015 by Amelia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummykool Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 The whole ballet is available on a Bel Air Classiques DVD recorded at the Bolshoi in 2006. The principals were Anastasia Yatsenko, Andrei Merkuriev, Denis Savin and Morikhiro Iwata The scene in 'The Boozer' features a very young Natalia Osipova. It's a bit silly (especially Act 3) but we love it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Yes - it was shown on TV (possibly Sky) some year's ago and I recorded it. It was actually on terrestrial for once, because I recorded it too! Don't think I've ever got around to watching it, though ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Years ago, Yuro Grigorovitch was also choreographing a ballet also called The Bolt. He is shown working on it with the Bolshoi in a video documentary dating back to the 1980s, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 Years ago, Yuro Grigorovitch was also choreographing a ballet also called The Bolt. He is shown working on it with the Bolshoi in a video documentary dating back to the 1980s, I think. I believe he was choreographing it for Mukhamedov. After he left it was shelved and the idea never revived. I really enjoyed the Ratmansky version, though I can understand why it hasn't been exported. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveclassics Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Thanks to everyone for the information. Sounds like it might be worth seeing. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummykool Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I've found the whole ballet on You Tube if anyone is interested. The scene 'In the Boozer' starts at about 26 minutes and is well worth a watch. The goofy dream sequence with the silly submarines starts about an hour in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx9i7S2XxCc Enjoy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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