I love Balanchine's works, and this choreography is good. I think it does respect the tempo, if you listen to the music carefully. However, I had to read previous comments to understand the movements. I couldn't find the «arabian» aspect of them at first. Now that I do understand, this version is quite interesting.
Balanchine intended to represent the Arabian as a horse instead of the usual steamy coffee. Her movements are quite equine, and I think that it is an innovative interpretation of the music. Long, languid movements are almost expected and somewhat overused, in my opinion.
@skinnylyni This is interesting! I have started studying Egyptian Folkloric dance and many of the women's folkloric steps were inspired by the horses the Egyptian men would train for hours to march and prance to traditional rhythms. I have read that they would try to get their husbands attention by mimicking the way a horse would move. I wonder if Balanchine knew this as well. This dance has taken on new meaning for me. Thank you for the post!
@Maggie2515 It's all about preference.. I think Balanchine's version of this is beautiful and goes quite well with Piotr Ilyich's music. I've been dancing Vaganova for 25 years, and have an academic background in piano so my opinion, in my opinion, has some validity....
the tempo of this piece was meant to be more moderato than con modo in the original suite by tchaikovsky...I agree with the MrDec02 in that the dance was meant to express "languid sensuality." It is meant to represent the feeling that you get when you smell the warmth of hot arabic coffee...
I just saw the show last week! it was truly amazing and magical! I wrote a review for this show please check it out and comment at janescritiqualize.blogspot.com
Badlt choreographed, the languid sensuality of the music is totally lost and the dancers movements are choppy. Balanchine is not respecting the music and It shows. A great choreographer would have respected the tempo and worked within the framework of it.
I was piano soloist for the New York City Ballet...for many years....I never heard or played it this fast...Should be a little slower... that is how Balanchine choreographed it!!!
@MrDec202 I also have to agree to some extent. I don't think the choreography was the best compliment for the music. I don't think it had any of the sensuality it needed either. Although I respect Ms. Whelan and her facility, I am not the biggest fan of her artistry and I don't think she did the part justice. Thank you for posting the vid, I'm glad I got to see this interpretation.
@MrDec202 i on the other hand, agree entirely with you! balanchine was talented, no doubt, but i always found he distorted beautiful music with abrupt and perhaps awkward choreography. arabian is meant to be an adagio, long and fluid (with long extensions and pors de bras) i can't help but get a little annoyed when i see such brisk movements with such a gummy legato piece of music.
i've been dancing ballet around 15 years, and played the violin for 10 years. i have a bit of a background in both!
I've never seen an Arabian match this one. Wendy Whelan's legs and feet make me sick - in a good way, lol. She is stunning and that choreography shows her off brilliantly.
@SimTripps: Can you upload the pas de deux, the marzipan and the waltz of the flowers? Pleasssseee......please please please please please please....??? I really like those parts.
@solidlove015 I'll have to have a look lol.. I think I only had this one on my VHS tape... You should be able to find this Nutcracker on dvd from Amazon - it's the one with Macaulay Culkin in it LOL...
too fast - this bit is supposed to be langorous, sensuous - an opium trance, a hashish dream in the warm desert darkness - if it's done right, it'll make your nostrils flare and your eyes roll back
@SupernalOne I most whole heartedly agree with you!! Ms Whelan is an incredible dancer, but the music is way too fast....this is supposed to be very dreamy......
just so - some musical pieces inspire an emotional reaction more than others do, and one can feel it immediately when it works right, or doesn't --
You know what popular song inspires a similar feeling - Nights Over Egypt by the 3 degrees - check it out: a very nocturnal dreamy feel, even with with a persistent dance beat :)
Is my opinion that Balanchine Nutcracker sucks with 2 notable exceptions: Arabian Coffee which has better choreography than any other nutcracker and the Russian Dance (in here is name something else) which is really good. The best Nutcracker is the Bolshoi's even tough The Marinski's snowflakes is really good
on november 22 1997 in the projects of brooklyn i saw this and this and the rest of balanchines nutcracker on channel11 inspired me to dance. i have also been wendy whelans biggest fan since then
THANK YOU for uploading! i've been looking for the Balanchine version of Arabian/coffee all morning (just saw the Nutcracker last night- i see it almost every year). This is one of my fave parts of the show.
It's beautiful! I finally found an arabian dance that fits the music! Dancer is incredible. She is dancing on the counts and has a non-western feel.
lauraalouiseem24 1 week ago
@lauraalouiseem24 Oh good - finally someone who sees the beauty of the Balanchine interpretation as I do lol! ;)
SimTripps 1 week ago
Actually beautiful
warriorsofthemoon 2 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
From someone with no background in dance, the choreography is beautiful. Loved everything about this Balanchine version.
longboatfla 1 month ago
I met her!!!
ZhinspirationMoi 1 month ago
I love Balanchine's works, and this choreography is good. I think it does respect the tempo, if you listen to the music carefully. However, I had to read previous comments to understand the movements. I couldn't find the «arabian» aspect of them at first. Now that I do understand, this version is quite interesting.
ainavirin 1 month ago
Arabian dance is beautiful like smooth and graceful
pinkprincesslexshue 2 months ago
Balanchine intended to represent the Arabian as a horse instead of the usual steamy coffee. Her movements are quite equine, and I think that it is an innovative interpretation of the music. Long, languid movements are almost expected and somewhat overused, in my opinion.
skinnylyni 2 months ago 2
@skinnylyni This is interesting! I have started studying Egyptian Folkloric dance and many of the women's folkloric steps were inspired by the horses the Egyptian men would train for hours to march and prance to traditional rhythms. I have read that they would try to get their husbands attention by mimicking the way a horse would move. I wonder if Balanchine knew this as well. This dance has taken on new meaning for me. Thank you for the post!
alwil454 2 months ago
The choreography is too fast. Doesn't go with the music at all.
Maggie2515 2 months ago
@Maggie2515 It's all about preference.. I think Balanchine's version of this is beautiful and goes quite well with Piotr Ilyich's music. I've been dancing Vaganova for 25 years, and have an academic background in piano so my opinion, in my opinion, has some validity....
SimTripps 2 months ago 5
@SimTripps I love this dance and the music. But i'm confused. Isn't there supposed to be a peacock dancing????
Blacklilly22 1 month ago
the tempo of this piece was meant to be more moderato than con modo in the original suite by tchaikovsky...I agree with the MrDec02 in that the dance was meant to express "languid sensuality." It is meant to represent the feeling that you get when you smell the warmth of hot arabic coffee...
pinyrose 2 months ago
I just saw the show last week! it was truly amazing and magical! I wrote a review for this show please check it out and comment at janescritiqualize.blogspot.com
janeshon1106 2 months ago
the music is toooo fasstttttt
dancingeliza 2 months ago
Badlt choreographed, the languid sensuality of the music is totally lost and the dancers movements are choppy. Balanchine is not respecting the music and It shows. A great choreographer would have respected the tempo and worked within the framework of it.
MrDec202 2 months ago
@MrDec202 I don't agree however everyone's entitled to their opinion... ;)
SimTripps 2 months ago 4
I was piano soloist for the New York City Ballet...for many years....I never heard or played it this fast...Should be a little slower... that is how Balanchine choreographed it!!!
ddchil41 2 months ago
@MrDec202 I also have to agree to some extent. I don't think the choreography was the best compliment for the music. I don't think it had any of the sensuality it needed either. Although I respect Ms. Whelan and her facility, I am not the biggest fan of her artistry and I don't think she did the part justice. Thank you for posting the vid, I'm glad I got to see this interpretation.
-K
kmodancer 2 months ago
@MrDec202 Gotta agree with you on this one. It feels as though the orchestra is racing through the music. I love the Bolshoi version better.
Quiddler 2 months ago
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bayadere27 2 months ago
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bayadere27 2 months ago
@MrDec202 One thing that is so important in Balanchine is musicality. You should listen more classical music..
alejandromazorin 2 months ago
@MrDec202 i on the other hand, agree entirely with you! balanchine was talented, no doubt, but i always found he distorted beautiful music with abrupt and perhaps awkward choreography. arabian is meant to be an adagio, long and fluid (with long extensions and pors de bras) i can't help but get a little annoyed when i see such brisk movements with such a gummy legato piece of music.
i've been dancing ballet around 15 years, and played the violin for 10 years. i have a bit of a background in both!
NinjaTree6 1 month ago
I've never seen an Arabian match this one. Wendy Whelan's legs and feet make me sick - in a good way, lol. She is stunning and that choreography shows her off brilliantly.
Camifenzz 2 months ago
She must have been doing this for years because this is from 1993 and I saw this last December and she was the Arabian
Brenanashee 2 months ago
Mesmerizingly gorgeous, how very talented!
suzannalapanna 3 months ago
Wendy Whelan is my dance idol! she makes everything seem so flawless and easy
MikeyXKun 3 months ago
@SimTripps: Can you upload the pas de deux, the marzipan and the waltz of the flowers? Pleasssseee......please please please please please please....??? I really like those parts.
solidlove015 3 months ago in playlist Contemporary Ballet
@solidlove015 I'll have to have a look lol.. I think I only had this one on my VHS tape... You should be able to find this Nutcracker on dvd from Amazon - it's the one with Macaulay Culkin in it LOL...
SimTripps 3 months ago
@SimTripps Just upload it, please. LOL. I really don't wanna buy the DVD when I could watch it online. XD
solidlove015 3 months ago
@solidlove015 Sorry - I only had this part on VHS...
SimTripps 3 months ago
too fast - this bit is supposed to be langorous, sensuous - an opium trance, a hashish dream in the warm desert darkness - if it's done right, it'll make your nostrils flare and your eyes roll back
SupernalOne 3 months ago
@SupernalOne I most whole heartedly agree with you!! Ms Whelan is an incredible dancer, but the music is way too fast....this is supposed to be very dreamy......
Trebuchet1066 2 months ago
@Trebuchet1066
just so - some musical pieces inspire an emotional reaction more than others do, and one can feel it immediately when it works right, or doesn't --
You know what popular song inspires a similar feeling - Nights Over Egypt by the 3 degrees - check it out: a very nocturnal dreamy feel, even with with a persistent dance beat :)
SupernalOne 2 months ago
It doesn't make any sense how effortless she makes this looks. Love her!
MisterMel92 3 months ago
I've been searching for this version of the dance ever since I saw the movie about 1 year ago. Thank you so much for uploading this!
This is probably the ONLY version I've seen of this dance with only 1 person dancing... Congratulations Wendy Whelan, because you really have talent!
PandoraHearchu 3 months ago
This is so fabulous, thank you so much for posting it.
1NYCHombre 4 months ago
Exquisite and she's one of the few dancers who knows how to walk gracefully
SuperPoppyfields 4 months ago
Is my opinion that Balanchine Nutcracker sucks with 2 notable exceptions: Arabian Coffee which has better choreography than any other nutcracker and the Russian Dance (in here is name something else) which is really good. The best Nutcracker is the Bolshoi's even tough The Marinski's snowflakes is really good
malku65 5 months ago
thank you for posting this. This woman is the reason I got into belly dance to begin with. I love her!!!
TheLampDancer 6 months ago
on november 22 1997 in the projects of brooklyn i saw this and this and the rest of balanchines nutcracker on channel11 inspired me to dance. i have also been wendy whelans biggest fan since then
sylvieguillemfanx10 7 months ago
Wendy Whelan really does this dance justice!
MikeyXKun 7 months ago
Tres belle!
teeellecee 11 months ago
THANK YOU for uploading! i've been looking for the Balanchine version of Arabian/coffee all morning (just saw the Nutcracker last night- i see it almost every year). This is one of my fave parts of the show.
borogal81 1 year ago 4
@borogal81
No problem! Apologies for the video quality - it's a capture from an old VHS tape hehe... :o)
SimTripps 1 year ago
@borogal81
wait the miami city ballet one?
BMWdancer1 4 months ago
@BMWdancer1
I'm in NYC so I go to Lincoln Center & see the New York City Ballet production in Dec. :) Pure magic.
borogal81 4 months ago
Singularly gorgeous. Thanks for posting this.
(ding!!)
mca1218 1 year ago