Customer Reviews

Variety and Virtuosity: American Ballet Theatre Now

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Finally, this thrilling gala performance is available on DVD! The transfer is crisp and the dances are nicely indexed so you can jump to your favorites...not that you'll want to skip even one of them. But I'm sure every balletomane will have her or his favorite. Mine is "Remanso", a pas de trois for men based on a Garcia Lorca poem. Taped in 1998, these performances feature many of ABTs upcoming stars (Corella, Carreno, Herrera, Stiefel) as well as seasoned veterans (Jaffe, Bocca, Hill, McKerrow). Angel Corella delivers breath-taking turns in his pas de deux with Paloma Herrera from "Don Quixote."

Although comprised of eight separate dance performances, each segment is intercut with fragments of backstage interviews with the dancers and artistic director Kevin McKenzie. Nothing momentous is revealed, but it's nice to hear the dancers express their enthusiasm for the works they perform and for the company that have the priviledge to dance for. Introduced by prima ballerina assoluta Natalia Makarava (looking great in a maroon silk and velvet gown by Gianfranco Ferre), it moves quickly and is the type of DVD you'll want to watch over and over. Far superior to ABTs other recent offering on DVD, "Le Corsaire," in which the dancers make fun of ballet (with justification) in between-the-acts interviews...and which is difficult to watch more than once.

I never understand why "fine art" DVDs offer so few "extras" (in this case, none). If you go to a live performance of a ballet, you get program notes on the music and choreography and short biographies of each principal dancer. Is that so difficult to transfer to a bonus material section on a DVD? Are there copyright issues? Anyway, don't let the absence of extras deter you, this DVD really delivers the goods. Buy it, watch it, love it.

"Variety and Virtuosity" is a very good DVD that will provide any dance fan with excellent entertainment value and an easy way to view some classic Pas de Deux. The all-star American Ballet Theatre cast (1998 version) is enjoyable to watch, and performs admirably. The dialogue between the pieces is a nice way to provide a little background about the dances as well as a little insight into the personalities of the performers.

Aside from the opening three-minute "Polonaise" (lots of walking around) leading to the introductory words by Natalia Makarova, there are seven dance numbers performed. Five feature a Pas de Deux, and only one shows a dance in its entirety, "Remanso," choreographed by Nacho Duato (not to be missed; it's awesome). The partnering is very good: the younger Jose Manuel Carreno provides a strong complement to the seasoned Susan Jaffe in a number from "Swan Lake," husband and wife John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow are likewise well-matched ("The Leaves are Fading"), and Julie Kent and Robert Hill convey interesting straight-faced emotion in a work ("Cruel World") choreographed specifically on them by James Kudelka. Julio Bocca comes across as a little overly sappy in the Balcony Pas de Deux with Alessandra Ferri (one of my favorite ballerinas), but it's still great to watch. The most exceptional pair is Paloma Herrera and Angel Corella, in the Grand Pas de Deux from "Don Quixote," who elicited the loudest cheers for their combination of energy, athleticism, grace and balance. As mentioned earlier, "Remanso" was unbelievable; I was spellbound (also check out "Three by Duato," one of the best modern dance DVDs). The 3rd Movement from "Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 was pretty good."

I'd give this DVD a 5-star rating were it not for a few little negatives which combined to knock it down a notch. First, with a run time of 83 minutes, there's very little dancing left after the introduction (not necessary, but typical for an episode of "Great Performances") and interviews with the director and dancers. Secondly, I was frustrated by camera work and editing that was a little spotty, with too many instances of dancers running in and out of the picture ... I wasn't seeing where my eyes wanted to look. Lastly, there are zero DVD extras (included in most other performance discs) that would have provided some welcome extra dimensions to the viewing experience (e.g., biographies, more behind-the-scenes footage).

Overall, this is a nice compilation of highlights for anyone wanting an good introductory look into ballet. Also, it's great for seasoned ballet fans, especially those of ABT.

American Ballet Theatre Now is probably the most wonderful ballet video I have seen , with beautiful pas de deux , like the Black Swan and Don Quixote and wonderful new coreographies like Remanso. All dancers in this film have a fautless technique and a "bright" that you cannot see in no other film. It's a treat for people who like ballet.

This is the first video that has shown me how great acompany can be. Anyone who has an interest in ballet should own this video. This video shows such wonderful claassical numbers such as Swan Lake and a couple modern numbers as well. I enjoyed watching Susan Jaffe and Jose Carreno dance the Black Swan pas de deux but the highlight of the video for me was the Don Quixote pas de deux danced by Paloma Herrera and Angel Corella. Corella is one of the up and coming male dancers today. I had the opportunity to see him dance recently and needless to say I was amazed. This video is a must for any ballet lover.

I am a ballerina myself and I love this. I found the big prblem with the dancing videos are the camera angles..you always get the wrong one. With this you won't have a problem. The dancers are on the music and the dancing is great. You get both the classics and modern works. Along this the dances you also get behind the scences and short interviews from the dancers. This is really good.

Probably my favorite and most watched ballet DVD!

The title of this DVD really fits perfectly; "Variety and Virtuosity" features not only some of the classical standards of ballet but also a few modern works to show off the talented dancers that make up the American Ballet Theatre. In this disc the group performs ensemble sets as well as several Pas de Deux.

Although the DVD only lasts 83 minutes it contains some real gems: just to mention a few......

- the great athletic and dancing skills (along with the colorful costumes) of Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera in Minkus's Don Quixote.

-Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca do a wonderful interpretation of young lovers in their balcony scene Pas de Deux from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Their dancing and expressions are so sensitive that you could almost feel the love that their characters had for one another. In addition, Ferri has in some way, an indescribable allure to go with her infectious smile that draws your eye to her.

-However, the highlight of the entire disc was, to me, the husband and wife team of Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner in The Leaves are Fading . ( choreography by Antony Tudor, music by Antonin Dvorak) This is one of those ballets that combine the perfect music with the perfect dance; and McKerrow and Gardner simply do a magnificent job in expressing the quiet joy and subtle sadness of this masterpiece by Mr. Tudor. I have watched this particular dance frequently since I got this DVD and I seem to see something new with each viewing. The ending is so exquisitely beautiful and peaceful it near moves me to tears. It has gotten to the point that I cannot imagine this music being played without this dance accompanying it.

All in all, this fabulous disc is a must have if you have any interest in great ballet. Highly recommended.

...oh, I can do SOME nit picking...at 83 minutes it is a sadly
short program. It is choice, however. The opening has two
wonderful dancers but the gentleman is in black tights against
a black background...I would have had him change to medium gray.
But if you have the movie: "Center Stage" and the ballet: "La
Corsaire"...you will find many old friends and some new ones.
I have some ABT laser discs (remember them?)..."ABT at the Met"
and "ABT in San Francisco" as well as the ABT/Baryshnikov production of "Don Quiote"...and it is my hope that these and
many other ABT performances will be made available on dvd. ABT
is primarily a touring company, and some of us are not in cities
where we can see them. Frequent dvd releases can keep us current on new dancers and choreographers and hopefully allow
us in our way to be fans and support ABT, too.
..."ABT Variety and Virtuosity" is a delightful addition to
the ABT dvd's. I especially loved the "Don Quixote Pas de Deux"
...but really 83 minutes is a very short program. I would like
to see ABT do a revival of "Gaite Parisienne" and "Pinepple Pol"
on dvd...watching the ABT company is always a delight...please
bring us more!

American Ballet Theatre Now: Variety and Virtuosity is simply the finest example of classical ballet available at this time. This company's awareness of technique in order to portray emotion is unparalled. From the articulate insteeps, to the extension of each dancers hands are all sights of constant enlightenment, and unimaginable beauty. From the sensitivity of Ferri, to the fire of Herra there is something that will affect us all!

As with several other ABT rep. programs and galas captured for television, this DVD contains several pas de deux, an ensemble piece, and in this case, the pas de trois "Remanso". And as with galas and rep. programs, it is a mix of classical and neo-classical choreography. The interspersed interviews with the Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and the dancers provide context: roles, preparation, importance to ABT's repertoire, and biographical info re both dancers and choreographer's intent. As an overview of ABT's vast eclectic repertoire and intro to ballet in general, it is an excellent dvd to own--and the strength and technique of the dancers is also well worth viewing. But the MOST important use of this dvd is when it is viewed in comparison to other ABT performances (available on similar dvd's) of the same pieces...

BLACK SWAN: It is wonderful that Susan Jaffe (sadly now retired) was captured on this dvd with the always impeccable partnering and technique of Jose Manuel Carreno. Her beautiful extensions, relish in the role, and slinky grace are very much evident. Is it the ultimate fluid grace of Cynthia Gregory and bravura of Fernando Bujones (What a shock his passing was! How sad.)on the video/dvd "ABT in San Francisco"? Or Makarova? Or the technical mastery of Gillian Murphy in the recent HD performance for PBS? No, but that's why balletomanes view different casts, to compare. Personally, Carreno still does the most complex controlled (dare I say difficult?) improvs to the standard male variation of most present/previous ABT casts.

ROMEO & JULIET Balcony Sc.: Of course the Ferri-Bocca partnership is legend at ABT and around the world. But I am sorry, this performance looked majorly under-rehearsed. Even Ms. Ferri herself, says they don't need to rehearse or speak often. Ok, they have done it countless times in the last twenty years; but if not together in a while, timing/placement issues will arise. And that's what's visible here. The placement on many of the lifts looks rushed, glossed over, and a bit uncomfortable. The follow thru and epaulement is missing. All in all, the fluidity and flow through each move and phrase to the end of this beautiful pas de deux is sometimes rather choppy. How can I say this? Because I have seen them dance much better elsewhere. And when this performance is viewed in comparison to the Ferri/Corella pairing at La Scala, those slips are more evident. Though taken at a faster clip, (with a better orchestra), the Ferri/Corella Balcony pas de deux is probably the more perfect technically and dramatically. Of course, both Ferri and Bocca are accomplished actors and this performance is fine in that department, if a little overdone. (That's to be expected from dancers so comfortable in the roles and with each other.) Comparisons can also be made with Ferri/Eagling 15 years earlier,and even an excerpt of Kent/Stiefel on the "CenterStage" dvd. (I except Fonteyn/Nureyev which stands alone.)

LEAVES ARE FADING: A lovely performance by a lovely dancer, Amanda McKerrow, who embodies Tudor's eloquent choreography as naturally as breathing. That she is partnered by her husband, John Gardner, only makes it more special for the delicacy and trust evident in their partnering. An excerpt that makes one yearn for the entire piece. It brought back memories of Gelsey: different, bolder, but still amazing. Other Tudor pieces by ABT are available on dvd for comparison, it not "Leaves..." entirely.

DON QUIXOTE Grand Pas: In the interviews prefacing this performance, both Herrera and Corella admit to being young--21 (and 23?)at the time--but are they really the "unseasoned prodigies" a NY critic called them? Not in this performance! View this in comparison to the Baryshnikov/Harvey performance, and both the technique, partnering, and interplay are very much superior. Again, Corella takes things at a faster clip than Baryshnikov. Corella's speed allows more rotations in the pirouettes, and that, and his astonishing ballon make that jete entrelace/entournant amazing both for speed and precision. But watch the details in the partnering: The mirrored line in both partners' sautes, epaulement, and turn of hand & foot; the precise musical phrasing; and the joyous insouciance in the interactions between them. (Even Baryshnikov & Gelsey in '74 missed that, though technically equal.) Paloma Herrera, too, has formidible technique and she takes full advantage of the chances this pas offers, and her partner displays, with aplomb. Bravura dancing is always going to elicit loud claps and cheers, but as McKenzie notes earlier, technique is not all, and here it's the glow that emanates from both dancers, coupled with that technique that really makes this work.

REMANSO provides a different opportunity to view Malakov and Parrish in a nonclassical performance. And a chance to see Duato's choreography beyond the limited dvd's released here. Others have reviewed this, and I have no disagreements with their superlative assessments. It is a small jewel of a ballet that slyly comments on human interactions, through the comparison, contrast, and collaboration of three very talented dancers.

CRUEL WORLD and the concluding BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO lets one see the Kent/Hill partnership in action and like the other partnerships on display in this dvd, it is a joy to watch.

Finally, Ethan Stiefel's comments are always pertinenet and that very precise, powerful technique is always worthwhile viewing. It's a quick view, but it's there. Ditto, Ashley Tuttle. And yes,unfortunately, the camera gets a little sloppy in this final piece--too many bodies to watch?--though the TD seems able to punch on the beat.

So, this dvd is definately worth purchasing for a chance to view most of the current stars of ABT in performance, and to sample various classic (and soon-to-be-classic?) choreography.
Enjoy.

It's pretty hard to add to all the positive comments noted in the other reviewers pieces. Yes, one could nitpick a bit here and there, but why? This is tremendously enjoyable and showcases
not only a wonderful group of dancers but a fascinating selection
of ballets of all styles and periods.

The title Variety and Virtuosity sums up the DVD perfectly.
Just GET IT!