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| Return of the Firebird: Petrushka/Firebird/Scheherazade | 
 enlarge | Director: Andrey Chistiakov
Actors: Bolshoi Ballet, Nina Ananiashvili, Andris Liepa
Studio: Decca
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $19.09
You Save: $10.89 (36%)
New (27) Used (9) from $19.09
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 31105
Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 120
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 079322
UPC: 044007932292
EAN: 0044007932292
ASIN: B00006L74J
Theatrical Release Date: November 18, 2002
Release Date: February 11, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new, factory sealed. Fast shipping!
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 A feast for the eyes and ears. April 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this DVD because it states that it is a reconstruction of the original ballets based on the original choreography by Fokine and sets and costumes designed by Leon Baskst for the original productions by the Ballet Russes at the beginning of the 20th century.
Although there is a little cinnemagraphic special effects added, they are few and judiciously used to enhance the overall effect. The sets and costumes are breathtaking and as colorful as a Faberge Egg. The music is equally rich and exotic. There are interesting and varied camera shots unlike sitting in an audience viewing a stage from the same angle the entire time.
I was a little dissapointed that the storyline of Scheherazade did not follow Rimsky-Korsakov's original, however, that would not be practical to exicute on stage with all the original different scenes. Since, of the three works, it was not originally intended as a ballet, some compromises are to be expected.
The best recommendation I can make is to report that in addition to the original copy I bought, I have subsequently given out 2 more as gifts: one to a professional musician who has played all of these works many times, and the other to non-musicians, who probably have never heard all three works. I feel this is an excellent way to introduce someone who is not familiar with classical music to these masterpieces, by having them in so accessible and enjoyable presentations. It is also a excellent gift for anyone who already knows these scores, as I did. I strongly recommend this production which appears to have been produced with the intention to be the most difinitive performances as well as the most lavish, with no expense spared.
 A reconstruction of Fokine's choreography for Ballets Russes July 28, 2006
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
In 1909 Serge Diaghilev founded the Ballets Russes in Paris as a venue for Modernist ballet. This DVD presents reconstructions of three of his earliest productions: "Petrushka" and "The Firebird," both commissioned from Igor Stravinsky, and an adaptation of Rimsky-Korsakov's 1888 symphonic suite "Scheherazade," all dating from 1910-11. These three works were choreographed by Michel Fokine. The original sets and costumes for "Petrushka" were designed by Alexander Benois, for "The Firebird" by Alexander Golovin and Leon Bakst, and for "Scheherazade" by Bakst.
Here the "Russian Seasons" ("Les Saisons Russes") Dance Ensemble, led by Andris Liepa, use Fokine's original choreography, with the assistance of Isabelle Fokina as a consultant; the sets and costumes for each ballet are "revived on the basis of the original sketches" by Benois, Bakst and Golovin. Thus this DVD gives us important insight into Diaghilev's artistic vision of a century ago, a time when radical Modernism was breaking loose from 19th Century convention in music and the visual and performing arts. (The title "Return of the Firebird" is meant to signify the resurrection of these ballets in something close to their original form. Liepa spent several years working on their reconstruction, finally mounting them in 1992 first at the Maryinsky and then at the Bolshoi.)
However, this is very much a film rather than a stage performance, and while I generally prefer a roving camera for ballet, when done skillfully, I feel that under Liepa's direction the camera angles and distance are frequently not used to best effect. There's also too much offstage interpolation, such as horseback scenes, and many omitted staging transitions, and he shares an unfortunate tendency in some Russian ballet films for indulgence in cheesy and distracting special effects; overall both the directing and editing feel gimmicky at times. It would have been far preferable to have filmed an actual onstage performance, which would have earned it a solid 5-stars. (There's an obviously tacked-on segment of applause with bows from the principals and troupe at the end.)
In contrast, I felt that the troupe itself is superb; the dancers turned in uniformly excellent and beautiful performances. (Ilze Liepa, in the role of Zobeide, is Andris' sister, and the stunning Ekaterina Liepa, as the Princess in "The Firebird," is his wife.) As another reviewer has mentioned, the Eunuch seems overdone, but I'm not otherwise familiar with this production of "Scheherazade," and assume the costuming and choreography are taken directly from Diaghilev. I agree somewhat with a different reviewer that Andrey Chistiakov's conducting of the Bolshoi State Academic Theatre Orchestra could have been more understanding of Stravinsky's uniquely astringent and urgent sound, but still it's quite well presented. Judging from a few other reviews, it seems important to remember that while these ballets may or may not follow one or another familiar folk tale, they are significant in representing the artistic vision, at a supremely important time of change in the arts, of Diaghilev, Stravinsky (Rimsky-Korsakov's widow objected to this adaptation of "Scheherazade"), Fokine, and the set and costume designers.
Both video and audio quality are fine on the DVD. This is a Mosfilm production, released with English titles by Universal/Decca. I note that Amazon also lists another 3-DVD set, "The Magic of Russian Ballet," on the Philips label, appearing to credit the Kirov Ballet. I haven't seen this set, but it cannot be a different production performed by the Kirov. Philips is another Universal label, and a close-up of the cover shows "Kirov Ballet Gala, Covent Garden" (which must be the listed "Nutcracker"), and "Russian Ballet Gala, Red Square" (which would be these three short ballets); the pictured Firebird character is obviously the same Nina Ananiashvili. Following Liepa's lead, the Kirov however does have its own productions of just the two Stravinsky ballets on the Immortal label (again starring Liepa, this time with Gabriella Komleva, with choreography credited to Boris Eifman and Oleg Vinogradov), and another containing yet different productions of "The Firebird" and "Scheherazade," among others, on a Kultur DVD. It's probably also worth pointing out that although this "Return of the Firebird" film was shot in Moscow and employs a Bolshoi orchestra, this is *not* a production of the Bolshoi Ballet; Andris Liepa's Russian Seasons Dance Ensemble is an independent troupe, performing at both the Bolshoi and the Maryinski, and other venues. In addition to the three ballets, the DVD includes a dialog-free behind-the-scenes rehearsal film, and a rather long ad for a special-effects graphics company.
Addendum: Amazon also lists another version of both "Firebird" and "Rite of Spring," together with Bartok's "Miraculous Mandarin," performed by "Moscow Classikal Ballet of N. Kasatkina and V. Vasilyov" on a Videoland DVD that doesn't show up under the English titles; search for "Sacre du Printemps," "Feuervogel," or "Wunderbare Mandarin." I've never seen this, but it might be of interest.
Middle School Kids are Spellbound June 3, 2006
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
I teach in a very racially diverse district in a city. My kids have seen The Firebird and Petrushka. I labeled the Moor character as the Moor-clown puppet. They didn't have any problem with that at all. In fact, in the opening sequence of Petrushka some of my little girls were saying "I'm her" "No, I call her". They were dancing vicariously through the TV. Some of them actually got up and tried some turns and spins in the dancing space of the music classroom.
My 6th Graders studied the Firebird in depth. They loved the effects and costumes.
Scheherezade is actually the story of the Prince who eventually married Scheherezade. The story is great, but the Princess' lover is like the extreemly efeminate Cuban character from Sex in the City. Once you get past that in a sparkled turban it's good. Very erotic costumes. I'm not showing it below 7th Grade.
Cheers
Buy this one! December 27, 2005
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
My husband and i both rate this 5 stars. He's a music expert; he says the orchestra played difficult music perfectly. He says it's our best ballet -- rich period costumes,lush color, wide variety of characters, exciting pacing, special effects, great for kids,too. I know Russian folktales illustrated by Bilibin, and the Firebird well captures the spirit of Bilibin's fabulous illustrations. We loved the crowd scenes in Petrushka. Scheherazadeh is a non-traditional, altered story-line, but well done, exotic.
A nice treat November 11, 2004
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
In October 2004 I was in Riga, Latvia and saw the live performance of these three ballets by the "Russian Ballet" company. Very impressive performance. I bought the DVD when I returned to the United States and comparing it to the live performance I can say that this DVD is a rare treat. I highly recommend it.
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