Paperback. By: Mikhail Baryshnikov. 1978 edition. Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher. Illustrated in black and white. Music. Ballet. Introduction by Charles Engell. A hard to find book! Text - clean and tight - no marks. Covers - have edge and corner wear.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Master photography and opinions from a master of dance,
By Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Baryshnikov at Work: Mikhail Baryshnikov Discusses His Roles (Hardcover)
One of the great dancers of the twentieth century, and perhaps of all time, Mikhail Baryshnikov's work is captured briefly but magnificently in this volume. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to see Baryshnikov in a live performance, but only on videos and DVDs. Even in this limited format however, Baryshnikov is brilliant, and a major reason for his superb technique is his attitude. Another dancer could perhaps execute his movements, but Baryshnikov comes across like someone who knows why he is dancing, and not just following the choreography. He creates the impression that he is feeling every movement, and he is celebrating himself to the fullest extent through every execution of such movement. How fortunate we are that Baryshnikov agreed to tell us his opinions on the works covered in the book. That gives a special insight into his attitudes and general philosophy of dance. Baryshnikov gave credit to his teacher, the great Alexander Pushkin, for teaching him that on stage one must be free, and not just carrying through the techniques learned in class. "Classical technique", he says, "is like any language: it can be correctly spoken in many voices." And it is refreshing to read that Baryshnikov believed that dancing ability is the result of discipline and hard work, that a dancer is (self) made, not born. Baryshnikov gives detailed remarks on the works Giselle, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Coppelia, Theme and Variations, Les Patineurs, La Fille Mal Gardee, La Sylphide, Le Corsaire, Vestris, Medea, Shadowplay, Spectre de la Rose, Le Pavillon d'Armide, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Awakening, Hamlet Connotations, Push Comes To Shove, Other Dances, Pas de Duke, Sleeping Beauty, Petrouchka, Le Sacre du Printemps, Once More Frank, and my all time favorite Le Jeune Homme Et La Mort. The photography is all black and white, and superbly done. One can breathe a sigh of relief that the Soviet government did not choose to eliminate ballet as being too "bourgeois" when it took over in 1917. Baryshnikov and other Russian ballet greats would not have came about if this had been the case. And in addition, the Soviets would have taken away the absolute prerequisite for all healthy civilizations: the dance.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poetry in motion,
This review is from: Baryshnikov at Work: Mikhail Baryshnikov Discusses His Roles (Hardcover)
A wonderful book that sadly is out of print. Ballet, like professional sports demands youth, strength, agility, and Baryshnikov was the superstar in his time. This book is loaded with photos that capture the beauty, grace, and skill of a man who admired Fred Astaire. And like Astaire, spent countless hours practicing and perfecting their art. Who can forget probably the best ever rendition of the "Nutcracker" with Gelsey Kirkland, and the scenes are wonderfully captured here. I've never lent this book out to anyone cause I knew I'd never get it back. This is a treasure if you can find it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Baryishnikov at Work, book review,
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This review is from: Baryshnikov at Work: Mikhail Baryshnikov Discusses His Roles (Hardcover)
In Baryisnikov's own words, he gives the reader an excellent idea, from a dancer's point of view, of what is involved in dancing his most popular productions. Very interesting to read.
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