Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake / Ananiashvili, Fadeyetchev, Russian State Perm Ballet

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ananiashvili dances this ballet with such exquisite technique, such perfection of "line" and such emotional integrity, that it eclipses all other performances of Odette-Odile I have ever seen--and I have seen many in my long life. Fadeyetchev as the Prince, although not dancing with the emotional intensity of a Malakhov or Nureyev, nevertheless presents his ballerina almost with his own self-effacement. He knows what he's there for, and it's not to show off himself. And, at the least, he is beautiful to look at. The corps is well rehearsed, and again, defers to Ms. Ananiashvili, who doesn't simply dance the Swan Queen, but becomes her so truly that one cannot help but suspend disbelief.

Ananiashvili has the confidence that comes from knowing that she does not have to compromise with the laws of physics. The rest of the company-- and I dare say the orchestra (it's Japanese)-- is not world class but good enough, but it is the prima ballerina "natural" who rates five stars. (Rothbart actually bops Odette on the noodle accidentally with his hand in Act 3.) Particularly noteworthy are Ananiashvili's beautiful long arms, which undulate like fronds in subtle undersea currents. She understands her characters, stays in character, and is charismatic. See also her vivacious performance in Don Quixote.

I bought this dvd to see the principals perform one of my favorite ballets and I was not disappointed, much. Both Ananiashvili and Fadeyetchev give wonderful and accurate performances. This version is pretty much a traditional one, with most of Petipa's ideas. I was a little disappointed that there was not much very new, exciting, and technically challenging, as one should expect at this point in ballet history. The prince does not dance much in the first act, but they have given him a new solo adagio, which was refreshing. Another refreshment is the fourth act which uses some music that is often cut out. All the acts are a nice full length. Aside for the sedate principal dancer's choreography, everything else is well done: the costumes, sets, group choreography, and the character dancing. Maybe this would not be my first choice in traditional Swan Lakes, but if you have a collection, as I do, this should find a place in it.

This ballet is still available, and at a reasonable price through another vendor. Click here:......Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake [DVD Video].......Enjoy it. If you do not know Ananiashvili, by all means get to know her. If you are normal, you WILL fall in love with her, for sure. If you want to see her in a happier mood, get her and Fadeyechev in Don Quixote......Léon Minkus: Don Quixote [DVD Video].....(This is the later release of "DQ". An older release IS out of print and way overpriced.)

I'll tell you just how common I am. I had to look up the spelling of common. Another thing is when I saw Nina's last name it looked a lot like the city I used to live in, Nashville, Tn. I thought to myself, now I should be able to remember her name, Ananiashvili sounds a lot like Nashville.
Well anyway, it may surprise you to know that there are some Tennessee hillbillies who really do love classical music and do not care that much for the Grand Ole Opry style of music, not withstanding the fact that country and western music put "The Music City" on the map.

I've just started my collection of classical ballet and cannot claim to be an expert but I'm learning. I now know how to pronounce fouette, and I think I know what they are. It's hard to believe just how beautiful they are when done by someone as good as Nina Ananiashvili. This DVD is filmed in front of an audience and it was plain to see there were no clips in the film to suggest that she might have had time to rest before she did them, or to do it over in case it wasn't quite right. I know that sort of thing takes place, because in "Don Quixote" Minkus - Don Quixote / Ananiashvili, Fadeyechev one can see that her fouettes were inserted later as there is no Don Quixote sitting in the chair behind her, as there should have been. The very next scene shows him seated in his chair with his sidekick Sancho. But no matter, she was just as beautiful in Don Quixote as she was in Swan Lake.

When Nina is "in character", as when she is Odette, one can see that she is a very unhappy Swan-Maiden, and one can also see that she cannot lose that composure even when members of the audience are yelling and screaming their bravos. Except, that is, until she becomes Odile. Then there is a completely different Nina on the stage. A completely different personality. Saucy and mischievous and deliciously beautiful in her Black Swan outfit. Prince Siegfried isn't the only one who fell in love with her, I did too.

Nina has the best balance when she is en pointe than any ballerina I have seen so far. I do not know what the pose is called (it's shown on the back cover of the keep case from Kultur). After she releases Fadeyechev's hand she holds her balance for an eternity before slowly slowly lowering her leg without a moment of imbalance until her foot is beside the other, (yes I meant to say slowly twice). I look at that over and over again, it's so remarkable. I lose my balance just trying to put my pants on unless I lean against something. Hey, I'm 77 years old.

Even if this was a Japanese orchestra, it sounded very good to me, and it sounded just as good (to me) as the Kirov Theatre Orchestra, when they performed for their Swan Lake production with Yulia Makhalina and Igor Zelensky. Tchaikovsky, Petipa - Swan Lake / Kirov Ballet, Yulia Makhalina, Igor Zelensky Yulia is another gorgeous creature, by the way. You wont go wrong with owning both versions of Swan Lake, however both musical scores sounded identical (to me).

You will also love to see her (Nina) kiss the little Japanese flower girl at the end when she is taking her bows. She is just wonderful.

(Grand ole Opry is a registered trademark of WSM Radio) I think.

Ms. Ananiashvili was very good, but her partner Fadeyetchev was very, very mediocre. I wonder why he was chosen as a lead performer. I'm sure he loves to dance, but he should not be a premiere in any ballet.

Although, i like Ms. Anaisshvili very much, I did not enjoy the production. The worst thing though was the last scene at the lake. The music was not the same music from Tschiakovsky's score that is usually played for that scene of the ballet. It did not fit at all!!!

If you have not seen Swan Lake, especially the German ballet version with Steffi Scherzer, then perhaps you will enjoy it. I have seen so many versions of this one-derful ballet, but this was the worst. It's not bad, but it's not good either.

I bought the VHS and subsequently DVD of this performance because of Nina.To me,she is currently the most accomplished classical ballet dancer.( hopefully she does not retire soon ).She has solid foot-works and always dances with great confidence.Her upper torso is so soft and expressive.This performance is of no difference.

The only criticism I have is that the recording/video quality is not the best I've seen.It's ashamed that none of her performances of full length ballet at the ABT was recorded.That would have left us with important documents of what great classical ballet dancing should be.

Brava Nina.