Classes in Classical Ballet (Paperback)

~ Messerer Asa (Author) "THE RULES of the art of ballet, the harmony of a plastic form and its beauty, and the picturesque realization of ballet productions become apparent..." (more)
Key Phrases: petit assemblé, position croisé, sissonne tombée, Preparation Starting, Asaf Messerer, Bolshoi Theatre (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Asaf Messerer is a master of this style and in this book, translated by the Western star and teacher Oleg Briansky, Messerer has for the first time provided a textbook of the Bolshoi style." -Clive Barnes, dance/drama critic"

Product Description

A companion guide to one of the bestselling Limelight Edition titles, this book by Asaf Messerer, a founder of what has become known as the Bolshoi School, is one of the most celebrated manuals of classic dance instruction in the world. Messerer has gained an international reputation for his classes in classical technique-models of invention and well-rounded exercise, stressing both precision and fluid artistic control. Nearly 500 photographs of principal Bolshoi dancers illustrate the positions and steps indicated, and an introductory section by Messerer outlines his basic plan and philosophy of teaching.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions; illustrated edition edition (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879103442
• ISBN-13: 978-0879103446
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,997 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Six complete ballet classes of the BOLSHOI SCHOOL., September 11, 2005

By	L. Klaja (New York, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Classes in Classical Ballet (Paperback)

This book is not for a beginner. It contains six virtuosic ballet classes by the great Bolshoi teacher, Asef Messerer, uncle and teacher of Maya Plisetskaya. The classes are abundantly illustrated followed by a section on Bolshoi Theatre Artists in performance including those of Asef Messerer himself.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teachers and dancers will find it a top instructional pick., August 8, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

CLASSES IN CLASSICAL BALLET has long been a classic out of print, so its reappearance after thirty years makes it a 'must' acquisition for any serious dance or ballet collection. Author Asef Messerer is a celebrated dancer and teacher, the founder of the Bolshoi school of ballet, and here provides six of his classes with notes, positions and steps illustrated by nearly 500 black and white photos of principal Bolshoi dancers. Teachers and dancers will find it a top instructional pick.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stimulating reading, December 20, 2007

By	D. Wharton (Taupo, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once you get to grips with the (Bolshoi) excercises being described in measures rather than counts it's a wonderful resource for the serious teacher and adolescent student. There are lots of clear(if old fashioned) photos: Plisetskya and a young Maximova included. This book should be on every ballet teacher's bookshelf, along with theory books relating to Cecchetti, Kirov and English schools of training... A serious book for passionate bookworms like me.