Khachaturian

Starring:Khachaturian, Rostopovich, Oistrakh
Studio: Video Artists Int'l
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Best so far
AS PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY IN MINNESOTA: AWSOME!
STUNNING
The Glory of Spartacus Revealed!

Khachaturian - Spartacus / Mukhamedov, Semenyaka, Vetrov, Bilova, Zhuraitis, Bolshoi Ballet
Starring: Irek Mukhamedov , Maria Bilova , Lyudmilla Semenyaka , Algis Zhuraitis , and Bolshoi Opera Ballet
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0009X24R0
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Customer Reviews:

Best so far.......2007-04-11

The best version available today. When is a new production going to be in DVD (and may be in HD)with surround sound? who knows...

AS PEOPLE LIKE TO SAY IN MINNESOTA: AWSOME!.......2005-09-23

This is truly worth the price tag even though you may not be a big fan of ballet, this performance will make one out of you. This is just superb on every level. I have the old Bolshoi production which was filmed on a soundstage. Try as they might, they couldn't bring the soundtrack up to modern expectations. The laser disc version came close. I was thrilled to see this new 1990 production on DVD with sound as spectacular as the dancing. The music of this ballet can stand alone. I have it on CD. It's one of the best works by Khachaturian. Add the fantastic dancers and colorful sets and you've got a dynamite production. I highly recommend this one!

STUNNING.......2005-09-10

I am only a minor fan of ballet. However, this performance was truly moving.

Ballet must communicate its story without using dialogue. The choreography and expressive dancing fully succeeded here. The dancers' movements were both strikingly athletic and gracefully delicate and the costumes and scenery were extremely effective in setting the period atmosphere. Aram Khachaturian's music was lush, beautiful and sometimes poignant, well performed by the theater orchestra.

The Romans, led by Crassus, are obviously the bad guys. Having the Roman soldiers march in a goose-step like the Nazis was extremely expressive. Also, in some of the scenes the motions of the aristocratic Romans were more fluid and graceful than those of Spartacus' slave followers, who were more primitive and athletic. This powerful visual symbolism was used to show the class differences between the antagonists.

Phyrigia danced with heart-breaking grace, expressing feminine beauty at its loveliest. Her love scenes with Spartacus were beautifully erotic.

All technical aspects of this dvd were first rate.

This production grabbed my attention from start to finish. Highly recommended.

The Glory of Spartacus Revealed!.......2005-08-16

*If you're reading this review, I assume you have already read the one I wrote about the 1977 film-version of the Spartacus ballet (starring Vasiliev), entitled "A Problematic Film: some remedies". If not, I urge you to read that one first. You can locate it and my reviews about other videos of this ballet in my archives by clicking on my name above.

I am overjoyed that the live 1990 complete performance of the Grigorovich/Bolshoi Spartacus has been reissued on DVD. Incidentally, this was the first Spartacus I ever saw. And interestingly, I got the complete companion CD to this performance before I got the video. So, by the time I purchased the video--which was in VHS format--I already knew the music by heart. As a result, the visuals only added to the enjoyment, and it certainly clarified what some of the sounds I heard were. For example, the crackles at the beginning of Act I turned out to have come from the thrashing of the whips on the floor by Crassus' henchmen.

So, what of the performance? Well, although none of the original cast-members were still performing at this late date, the younger generation proved that it was every bit the successor. The stars in this performance were: Irek Mukhamedov as Spartacus, Lyudmilla Semenyaka as Phrygia, Alexander Vetrov as Crassus, and Maria Bilova as Aegina.

True, Mukhamedov was no Vasiliev; he was about 30 at the time of this performance and was already a tad slower than Vasiliev when he was at that age; note that Vasiliev had to wait till he was about 37 before his legendary film-version was shot--albeit, poorly shot. However, what Mukhamedov lacked he made up for with his athleticism. I would like to call the reader's attention to the leap sequence that he does near the end of Act II, Scene 1, in which the final leap looks like a, for lack of a better term, spinning flying-roundhouse-kick (Vasiliev does a version without the roundhouse in the '79 and omits it entirely in the '77)--that's a mouthful! And he does it lightning-fast (regaining his former speed there, momentarily)--incredible! Sounds martial-art-like? That's how it looked. A friend of mine said of Mukhamedov as being more of an acrobat than a dancer. In any case, Mukhamedov danced the role with aplomb throughout. Semenyaka, the former Kirov dancer, fitted nicely into the Bolshoi company. She dances as Phrygia flawlessly. She nearly matches Bessmertnova in technical brilliance, but is more expressive than the latter.

The two baddies here are also excellent. Granted Vetrov's interpretation is coarser than Liepa's, but he brings to the role his own inimitable style--certainly a far better Crassus than Gabovich ('79 Vasiliev and '84 Mukhamedov) ever was. To me, Bilova was the best Aegina in all of the videos (she danced the same role in the '84 Mukhamedov version). She is slender and statuesque. And her movements are clean and precise, which can't be said for Golikova ('79 Vasiliev). Even Timofeyeva ('77 Vasiliev) was no match.

Also, the corps de ballet gives an excellent performance as usual.

Finally, as I've already raved elsewhere, the '90 version beats all others in picture and sound quality hands down! The DVD version is even better in that respect. For once, you are able to see the background, and what do you know? It ain't always black! And you will hear Khachaturian's complete score (as modified by Grigorovich and Zhuraitis) in stereo. Get this quick!

FOOTNOTE:

1) In the video you will see Grigorovich come onto the stage and take several bows during the final curtain call.

2) The booklet that comes with the DVD states that Lyudmilla Semenyaka was trained at the Moscow Ballet School, when, in fact, she was trained at the Leningrad Ballet School.

Khachaturian - Spartacus / Vasiliev, Bessmertnova, Bolshoi Ballet

Average customer rating:

Worth having it
A Problematic Film: some remedies
Best, best, best!
Perfection!
Great ballet

Khachaturian - Spartacus / Vasiliev, Bessmertnova, Bolshoi Ballet
Starring: Nina Timofeyeva , Vladimir Vasilyev , Natalya Bessmertnova , and Maris Liepa
Director: Vadim Derbenyov , and Yuri Grigorovich
Manufacturer: Video Artists International
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Khachaturian - Spartacus / Mukhamedov, Semenyaka, Vetrov, Bilova, Zhuraitis, Bolshoi Ballet
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Glory of the Bolshoi / Vladimir Vasiliev, Galina Ulanova, Irek Mukhamedov, more

ASIN: B0000YEDLS
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Customer Reviews:

Worth having it.......2006-06-08

I saw this version of Spartacus first in 1979 at a movie theater. I was a young teenager then. I remember I liked it very much, but I thought the cinematography was rather dated even then and the picture quality was poor, full of blemishes and annoying white dots, even back then. It's also sad that Aegina's parts were severely cut. All that said, it's still an amazing ballet movie. Of course, it is heavily cut (only 90 minutes). But the longest existing version which seems to be the 1990 Bolshoi version with Irek Mokhamedoff is only about 135 minutes long. Grigoryevich did not use the entire score for his choreography, nor did any other choreographer before him. The original score is 3.5 hrs. My recommendation to Spartacus fans is to buy the 1977 as well as the 1990 versions (the latter version's sound quality is unbelievable) plus a CD recording of the full score.

A Problematic Film: some remedies.......2005-07-26

Aram Khachaturian wrote the melodious score to the Spartacus ballet between 1950 and '54. The first choreographer was Leonid Jacobson. His version, which premiered at the Kirov on December 27, 1956, was not a real success. The problem was that the choreography contained too much mime and not enough actual dancing. Two years later, Igor Moiseyev staged a version for the Bolshoi, which had a similar fate; that one received only nine performances. Later there was a revision by Jacobson, which also didn't find favor with the public. Incidentally, excerpts from one of Jacobson's versions (it is not clear which--maybe both) can be seen in "The Glory of the Kirov" DVD; I don't think his choreography was all that bad, really, but you be the judge.

It wasn't till April 9, 1968 did Spartacus achieve its definitive form in a performance given at the Bolshoi, this time, with choreography by Yuri Grigorovich. His version is a three-act ballet divided into two main categories. There are the major soldier/crowd scenes and also the monologues in which one of the four principal dancers is the only one onstage, and he or she dances against a dark background. At the premiere, the four principals were: Vladimir Vasiliev as Spartacus, Ekaterina Maximova as Phrygia, Maris Liepa as Crassus, and Nina Timofeyeva as Aegina. So, with the exception of Maximova, who was replaced by Bessmertnova as Phrygia, these were the dancers in this famous 1977 film, not 1979 as Amazon indicates.

But that's where the good news ends and the problems begin. First, as others have already pointed out, they used some dated cinematic techniques that are downright irritating. For example, they superimposed images to make one scene look like a big battle was going on. Elsewhere, they did a reverse time-lapse (slowing everything down) on Spartacus in one particular leap sequence; I'm sorry, that format just doesn't suit ballet--dance movements should correspond with the music. Furthermore, the picture itself is sometimes very dark, which makes it hard to see the corps de ballet. And the sound quality is only passable.

Even if you can overlook all this, there remains the ultimate sacrilege. Here we have three-quarters of the original principal cast, along with Bessmertnova and a superb corps de ballet dancing their hearts out, and the producer decides to cut forty-odd minutes of dance and music out of the film, which makes the work much less coherent. Notable moments are the beginning of Act II, Scene 1; the Aegina monologue in Act II, Scene 2 (danced to some hauntingly beautiful music); and a series of leaps, performed by Spartacus near the end of Act II, Scene 1.

Now, lest you think I was just carping without actually presenting a solution, I'll let you in on a secret. As far as I'm aware of, there are at least three COMPLETE videos of the Grigorovich/Bolshoi-production Spartacus in existence.

The most recent is the one starring Irek Mukhamedov and Lyudmila Semenyaka, shot live in 1990 (Arthaus Musik DVD). This is by far the best overall video of the ballet. It boasts the best picture and sound quality--with exemplary dancing to boot! Plus Mukhamedov does a version of the Act II, Scene 1, leap sequence, missing in the present film, in which the final leap looks like a spinning flying-roundhouse-kick--AMAZING!

There is another video of Mukhamedov in the role (Kultur DVD), and this time, he partners Bessmertnova in a 1984 live performance. Picture and sound are of good quality. This otherwise solid performance was marred by Mikhail Gabovich's tepid portrayal of Crassus.

A third video (Via Classic DVD) was shot live in 1979. This one is marred by even worse picture and sound quality than the '77. And some of the principals made a couple of mistakes. However, you have the benefit of, again, seeing Vasiliev as Spartacus and, this time, Ekaterina Maximova as (the original) Phrygia in a COMPLETE performance. Sadly, Vasiliev does a less technically-demanding version of the Act II, Scene 1, leap sequence--no roundhouse-kick.

Of the three COMPLETE videos, my #1 choice would be the '90 version, starring Muhamedov, for the very reasons I stated earlier.

His '84 is also recommendable, but it's been surpassed by the version above.

Because of the overall (poor) quality of the '79 Vasiliev, I will recommend it to true aficionados ONLY for its completeness. Alas, if only it were better shot...
NOTE: This DVD is not in NTSC format. Rather, it is in PAL format, which means most DVD players sold in North America will not be able to play it. You can purchase a multi-format compatible DVD player at your local specialty electronics store.

The '77 Vasiliev has been long regarded as the ultimate Spartacus ballet video, because most fans neither have had the opportunity to sample, nor, indeed, even have been aware of the existence of the other Grigorovich/Bolshoi Spartacus videos. The present version is neither fish nor flesh. Buy it for its "cult" status. But if you're looking to experience the ballet in its full glory, I suggest you go elsewhere for that.

For further recommendations...I've created a Listmania List, called "Spartacus Ballet Videos, CDs, and More", for those interested. To locate it, check out my Listmania Lists section by clicking my name.

Happy viewing!

FOOTNOTE:

Khachaturian's original score was NOT used in any of the aforementioned versions of the ballet. Everybody from Jacobson to Grigorovich had used modified versions of the score.

Best, best, best!.......2005-07-07

I watched this ballet for the first time...rarely ever a large-scale work has captured me from the first hearing. I'm moved especially by the work of the composer. Khachaturian is now my favourite composer. His gift is apperantly greater than even Prokofiev's or Shostakovich's. No other composer can make such orgasmic pathos in orchestration. This is simply fantastic!!!

And the slight imperfection of the technical production shouldn't matter at all. This is a must-have ballet!

Perfection!.......2004-11-20

Much has already been written about this, so I will add only a few points. It would be impossible to find a better cast of dancers for this ballet. This is a legendary performance and I have never seen an entire ensemble as up for a performance as this one. This performance is on movie stock, not video stock, sort of like the Russian version of cinemascope. It is technically very well done, especially considering that at this time in history the Soviets didn't participate much in the latest Hollywood technology. The dvd quality is perfect. The lighting is exactly as it is supposed to be. So stop complaining about nonsense and enjoy the perfection! (The dvd includes a nice little extra feature with Vasiliev and Plisetskaya.)

Great ballet.......2004-06-11

Although I haven't purchased the vhs version of Spartacus it seems that some technical problems such as the jump between the scenes and some white points in the film pointed out by some previous reviewers have been diminished in the dvd version (shown in widescreen): I was distracted by those imperfections only three or four times. However what most annoyed me was the "special effects" such as the splitting scenes and superimposing images. The sound quality is poor: there is a constant "hiss" that is hard to be filtered by the receiver. The lightning in the stage is rather dark. However all of that is a minor detail if one consider the work as whole: This is a great ballet that alternates vigorous and sensual dances, supported by powerful and exquisite music rightly conducted, great production and first rate performances by the dancers. Surely a must-buy ballet.

Average customer rating:

Who is the blonde?
Wow!!!

Khachaturian
Starring: Eric Bogosian , and Aram Khachaturian
Director: Peter Rosen
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002Y4SQQ
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Customer Reviews:

Who is the blonde?.......2006-03-04

This is a terrific documentary. I will always have two lasting impressions: the wonderfully filmed and edited cello piece conducted by Khachaturian and the vibrant, colorful, and dizzyingly edited piano playing and fashion show of the blonde. Curious? buy the DVD; it is hugely intertaining and informative.

Wow!!!.......2005-12-22

The best, most touching documentary I have ever seen. I would even give ten stars if I could. The music is just beyond-words amazing. A must see film for anyone wether you're a musician or not. You'd wanna watch it over and over again!!!

Average customer rating:

Could have been better

Spartacus
Starring: Khachaturian , Klevtsof , Berezina , and Muravlyov
Manufacturer: Videoland
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000F6ZPHM
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Customer Reviews:

Could have been better.......2007-02-07

This DVD was, to say the least, spectacular except for two things:
1) The sound quality was a bit below par, a little raspy when the orchestra would play with great volume.
2) The Russian dialogue was unexpected, but not unpleasant.
Overall, I would recommend this DVD for the serious collector of less frequently performed ballets.

Khachaturian - Spartacus (ballet in two acts) - Moscow Classical Ballet

Average customer rating:

Khachaturian - Spartacus (ballet in two acts) - Moscow Classical Ballet

Manufacturer: Videoland GmbH
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

Musik von Aram Khachaturyan. Libretto basierend auf historischen Schriftstucken, Leitmotiv nach dem Roman von R. Gioagnoli und einer. Idee von N. Kasatkina und V. Vasilev. Spartakus-Yuri Klevtsof, Aurelia-Ekaterina Berezina, Crassus-Vladimir Muravlyov, Ex-Diktator-Sergey Belorybkin. Orchester des "Moscow Classical Ballet". Dirigent-Alexander Petukhov. Production und Choreographie-Natalia Kasatkina und Vladimir Vasilev. Buhnenbild-Joseph Sumbatashvili. Kostume-Elizaveta Dvorkina.

Khachaturian - Spartacus - The Bolshoi Theatre

Average customer rating:

Vasiliev's Little-Known 1979 Performance: An Opportunity Missed...But Still Worth Seeing

Khachaturian - Spartacus - The Bolshoi Theatre

Manufacturer: Via Classic
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

The DVD is featured by original recording of the ballet and NOT digitally re-mastered. Composer A. Khachaturian. Director I. Grigorovich. Soloists: Ekaterina Maximova, Vladimir Vassiliev. Recorded in 1979.

Customer Reviews:

Vasiliev's Little-Known 1979 Performance: An Opportunity Missed...But Still Worth Seeing.......2005-08-17

*If you're reading this review, I assume you have already read the one I wrote about the 1977 film-version of the Spartacus ballet (starring Vasiliev), entitled "A Problematic Film: some remedies". If not, I urge you to read that one first. You can locate it and my reviews about other videos of this ballet in my archives by clicking on my name above.

No, the '79 COMPLETE version starring Vladimir Vasiliev is nowhere near perfect. For a start, the picture quality is worse in this one than in the '77. The problem becomes severe in scenes with dark backgrounds, such as at the beginning of the mourning scene at the end of the ballet, where Phrygia comes out of the darkness draped in black. Sonically, this version fares no better. There are a couple of minor skips, too, which seems to have been caused by problems in the master tape.

As for the performance itself, it is mistake-ridden. The most noticeable mistake comes from Ekaterina Maximova--who stars as Phrygia--who in the Phrygia-Adagio misses grabbing her foot in one of those leg-way-behind-the-back attitudes. Another mistake comes from Vasiliev himself, who, in the final battle scene, slides a little too far--due to the slippery floor--in a kneeling position, just after he lands from a leap; he saves the scene by intentionally falling to the side, pretending that it was all part of a deliberate move. I also noticed that Tatyana Golikova, who danced the role of Aegina, missed quite a few steps. The Crassus in this version, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gabovich (son of Mikhail Gabovich Sr.), may have made no major mistakes, but he gave a generally lackluster performance. **NOTE: The latter two dancers' names aren't even listed.

However as always, the corps de ballet did a fine job.

So, the verdict? In spite of the flaws, I would recommend this video, but to aficionados ONLY. If you can somehow look past the imperfections--admittedly, there are many--you will doubtless find gold mixed in with the trash. The saving grace? Vasiliev, naturally! For it is here that we get to truly witness his greatness. Bear in mind, this was a live performance, which means there were no retakes. Yet, Vasiliev actually danced with such vigor and precision (aside from that one unavoidable mishap) in real life! On top of that, this was also a COMPLETE performance, so, all the material excised in the '77 version has been restored.

It's a pity, really...if this version had been blessed with all the original cast-members giving a near-flawless performance in their respective roles, and had been better shot, it might very well have rendered all other versions redundant. Truly, a missed-opportunity...

NOTE:

This DVD is not in NTSC format. Rather, it is in PAL format, which means most DVD players sold in North America will not be able to play it. You can purchase a multi-format compatible DVD player at your local specialty electronics store.

Average customer rating:

Gayne Ballet
Starring: Khachaturian , Tuisova , and Rumiantsev
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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