Baryshnikov - Live at Wolf Trap

Rating:
Summary: Gelsey Kirkland & Baryshnikov Together Shine Like Gold
Review: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, and Marianna Tcherkassky display live performances that can move a dancer or viewer so much as to repeatedly see this video over and over to learn about true technique, elegance, and classical styles of ballet.

The first part, "Coppelia" has a Pas de Deux with Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. Although Gelsey has moments where her body shakes you know as a past dancer those are just moments any dancer faces when too much training hours and poor diet get the best of you. Yet despite her moments of displaying little contol you enjoy her style of arm movements, extensions, and true elegance. Her Arabesque Allongee's, Attitude Devant's are executed beautifully.

Next, Baryshnikov has the stage to himself doing extraordinary leaps and pirouettes with such ease, confidence, perfection and total strength that any male dancer would only dream of.

Then you have Gelsey again solo. Her balance, poise and grace shine through. I would say her Adagio and leg extensions are great but she needs to improve her height in her jumps. Unlike Gelsey, Baryshnikov can jump as high as 10 feet.

After this act you have "Le Spectre De La Rose" with Baryshnikov and Marianna Tcherkassky. I find her to be lacking somewhat in neckline posture and Porte de Bras. Here you have Baryshnikov performing a slow dance with nice slow pirouettes, jumps and the most complex of steps only true professionals dare to try. He has drama in his movements as he goes with the story of falling slowly in love with the female dancer. They dance together. This act is pretty average, not my favorite compared to others. I would say she is not the one for the part.

Baryshnikov also very well performs "Vestris". He has a George Washington wig and is dressed in the times of the 1400's where beauty and the art of ballet evolved. More than anything he displays character, unwitting comical movements, and true passion for attention.

The best part of this video is this last part: Don Quixote (Pas de Deux) with Baryshnikov & Gelsey Kirkland. Her extensions are remarkable. The way he lifts her high with such ease and control is simply amazing. Here you see Gelsey displaying much more confidence in her abilities as a dancer. She does nice positions such as: Attitude Derriere, perfect straight 180 Arabesque's (Panche) and more. Her turns are well balanced as if she is pulled from above and planted firmly as she turns. His leaps in the air are spectacular, with such ease it is as if he is as light as a feather. His Tour en L'Air are flawless. They make the perfect combination in this set. This act was flawless and simply the best!

I have played this video so many times I can see it in my sleep. I can say if you buy this you won't regret it. There's excellent dancing, stage production, costumes, scenery, music, and classical techniques. It can move any dancer, student or viewer to really feel the passion, art and beauty balley truly merits.

PERFECT 5 STARS!

Rating:
Summary: Get it for Gelsey
Review: She's hideously underrepresented on video and DVD. The first and last pieces on this tape show you why she is considered the greatest ballerina ever. It should be on DVD so you can access chapters and not have to fast-forward through the two, rather disappointing, poorly choreographed, middle excerpts (without Kirkland). Baryshnikov isn't exactly chopped liver, either.

Rating:
Summary: Gelsey Shines!
Review: This, one of the few taped performances of Gelsey Kirkland live, is a must for balletomanes everywhere. This performance showcases both Misha and Gelsey at the height of their fame, the mid-1970's. The technique and refinement is evident in their Don Quixote varation. Gelsey's pointework is divine, and no one quite matches the height of Misha's tours en l'air. Their popularity touched off the dance craze that carried through much of the 80's and is a nice portrait of 2 of American Ballet Theater's finest artists. If you are a dance enthusiast, you will treasure this.