Search - Shchedrin - The Little Humpbacked Horse / Maya Plisetskaya on DVD

Shchedrin's score ruined.

Harry M. Geduld | Bloomington, IN USA | 10/11/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Much as I wanted to see Plisetskaya and the Bolshoi dance "The Humpbacked Horse," this version was definitely not the way to experience it. I already loved Shchedrin's score before buying, some years ago, a VHS of this Kultur release now on DVD. Imagine my horror on discovering that Shchedrin's music is drowned out by a voice-over commentary. It's a disservice to one of Russia's most talented composers. Why on earth the commentary couldn't have been provided in titles below the screen is beyond me."

A Worthy Classic For Ballet Lovers

Expressive Dance Mom | Elkton, VA | 01/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have watched this ballet many times, especially certain segments of it, and never fail to enjoy it. Please don't be put off by the fact that there are moments of narration in this ballet, it is most definitely worth seeing. One has to remember that it was filmed as entertainment for the Russian viewing audience which included enjoyment for children as well as adults. The narration is tastefully done in that it quickly describes a full sequence of events at the beginning of an act or scene and then says no more for the duration of the act or scene. It's understandable that this would certainly be annoying to anyone seeking to simply listen to the music, but this is a NOT a Music CD, it is a Ballet DVD. The option of inserting subtitles would be a detraction for viewers who desire to watch the dancers' performances, especially since most subtitles get inserted over the dancers' legs and feet. Also keep in mind that this ballet was performed in the early sixties before the emphasis on dancer flexibility and extension had become the norm in ballet for both female and male dancers. In fact, Maya Pleisetskaya's first performances in the west (once the Russian Government finally allowed her to tour outside of Russia) stunned audiences with her fluid style and she was a key contributor in the shift to newer ballet techniques as other dancers tried to emulate her. (She was about 36 when this was filmed and she's still going strong.) Some of the scenes, especially those at the beginning before the hero, "Ivan", acquires his magic "horse", are geared to the younger audience, but beyond that this ballet is very noteworthy. Watch for Maya Pleisetskaya's outstanding musicality, her amazing mastery of dance mime to express her character's emotions, and her obvious love for and mastery of her art. The mime arts of the pompous "King", the scheming "Stable Master", and the King's "Courtiers" are also outstanding. Any serious dance student seeking to learn ballet mime will do well to get this DVD. The whole gamut of human emotion is expressed in dance mime on this DVD. Also, watch for Natalya Toborko, another famous and talented Russian ballerina, who dances the part of the "Queen of the Sea" with some amazing lifts and some very fast turns and jumps that are lovely. Her entire underwater scene is well done and also sports some excellent, yet remarkably simple costumes, used to create anemones, schooling fish, jelly fish, etc. Indeed, many of the costumes in this ballet are very creative and anyone looking for fresh ideas to costume dancers (as I have done), will benefit by giving a serious second look at the underwater costumes and the costumes for the birds in the "Realm of the Queen Maiden". Relax and watch this ballet for its intended entertainment factor with the childlike enthusiasm of one hearing a fairy tale for the first time. I think you will enjoy it."