Customer Reviews

Tribute to Nijinsky: Petrouchka / Le Spectre de la Rose / L' Apres-midi d'un Faune [VHS]

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We have no footage of Nijinsky (as far as we know) which is a crime. Nureyev was the best of his time. So Nureyev recreating Nijinsky's dancing (and his choreography in Faune) is about as close as we (getting close to 100 years after now) will ever come to seeing what Nijinsky did to change ballet. I saw versions of all three of these ballets when I was a young adult and have loved them ever since, these are probably my most favourite ballets because they are so emotionally expressive and techniquely beautiful--and they all feature a male dancer which is refreshing. If you want to see beautiful non-standard ballet, this is the tape to see. I wish they'd converted it to DVD because my tape will disintegrate in not too many years and I will be without again.

This video is not only a tribute to Nijinsky but also to Nureyev.
I have seen this ballet in the 80's as I was young and I never forgot the exotic music and dance such as L' Apres-midi d' un Faune and the Stravinsky's masterpiece Petrouchka since then. There is also the most classical e known piece: The Spectre of Rose.
That is a pity the VHS version has not been remastered and transferred to DVD. Probably the new viewers will find the set production and the quality of the sound rather poor but those who appreciate a good dancer and variety of performances this is the video.

While I would not classify myself as an expert in this art form, I found the film very enlightening regarding Mr. Nijinsky not only for the historical clips provided but also for the comments and views shared by Mr. Nureyev and Mr. Joffrey. Having never seen these ballets before viewing the video, these performances have set a standard to which I would certainly judge all others. I found the film quite good and it has become my personal favorite, especially The Spectre of the Rose.