Rating: 
Summary: A MUST!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars for R & J and Remanso
Review: The dancing on this video is as flawless as one should expect from a company like A.B.T.. Perfect technique from all dancers. However, the performance qualities of Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca in the R&J Balcony Pas really stand out. Their bodies are so expressive and so emotional that they're almost not even dancing; it's pure movement and emotion interlaced. WOW!! The 3 men in "Remanso" have pristine lines and technique more beautiful than most ballerinas. their execution of this contemporary choreography is amazing to watch. Balletomanes should buy this video for these 2 works alone!
Rating:
Summary: Great dancing of some of ballets best known scenes
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great dancing of some of ballets best known scenes
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: This is simply amazing. I am not a big dancer myself, but I found this DVD breathtaking. I love it becuase of the variety, just as the title implies - "Variety and Virtuosity". I bought a couple DVD's all at once and this is my favorite. If you like classical ballet, it's here. If you like more contemporary modern ballet (like me), it's also here.
Rating:
Summary: A great show of variety
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: When they say "variety", it's true
Review: This video showcases mainly pas de deux pieces - the Black Swan pas de deux, the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, the Don Q. grand pas de deux, and excerpts from "The Leaves are Fading" and "Cruel World". My favorite was Black Swan, with Susan Jaffe and Jose Manuel Carreno. Each has impeccable technique, they dance well together, and Jaffe's interpretation of the character is really superb. "Remanso", a pas de trois of men, was my other favorite - the men are so graceful and athletic, and the music is so beautiful. As for the Don Quixote pas de deux, I found it a little bit hard to watch after the dramatic lyricism of Romeo and Juliet - certainly the dancers have flawless technique, but they seemed rather immature - Corella, to my eyes, was positively spazzing out trying to squeeze in the maximum number of pirouettes. There's really something on this video for everyone though - I say, buy it, because you will certainly find that you like a couple pieces well enough to be glad that you own it.
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