Joffrey Ballet Rite of Spring 1987 (2 of 3)

These people were the first to perform this original Nijinsky ballet (also known as Le Sacre du Printemps) after its being lost for 70 years. Some of it was found in the margins of Stravinsky's original score. They pieced it together and had to fly blind in places but thank god it was done. Nothing like this has ever or will ever exist again. If you watch the Kirov (Mariinsky) do this same ballet and I have it here on my channel for the comparison, you'll find it strikingly ridiculous. Though the video quality is much better (as it is 20 years later) the Russian dancers of the Mariinsky seem to feel nothing, hear no music, have no comprehension of this history changing piece of work of which they are fortunate enough to be involved in. It's annoying actually. This is, on the other hand, possibly what Nijinsky & Stravinsky were shooting for though I guess no one will ever know. Roll out to the last 4 minutes for the best part, then check out part 3 of 3 for the fantastic ending.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Joffrey
• le
• sacre
• du
• printemps
• reconstruction
• nijinsky
• stravinsky
• rite
• of
• spring

[fatovamingus]

Considering that the Joffrey restored the ballet from Nijinsky's notes, I;d say they are closer to the original. It's a little wilder, more abandon. That's also more like Stravinsky. You really have to want to hear Stravinsky to watch a ballet set to his music. I think the Russians hold back like crazy. Too refined, too trained, too Russian. I'm the daughter of a Russian mother, trust me I know.

[jojokerus]

@fatovamingus Thanks again for uploading this. Do you know about the costumes? Are they also based on notes from the original production? And are they based on what are thought to be the dress of "pagan Russia?"

[fatovamingus]

@jojokerus The costumes were designed by Nicholas Roerich who allegedly came up with the whole idea of Le Sacre. Please check out my channel which has a link to my blog - there is a LOT about this there. You can also find the BBC movie "Riot at the Rite" there which is fantastic. -Fatova

[whatevernice345]

@KnickKnack The beginning of the introduction section is at the conclusion of part 3 of this video. I watched part3 and the introduction section was at the end of part 3. I wonder why it was at the end though.

[KnickKnack]

woah at the beginning of Part 2, did they skip the entire Introduction section? that's a shame; that part of the music was always one of my favorites. i wonder why they skipped it here?

[IDhuff]

where can you buy a copy of this?

[Tensaihime]

I love her expression at 9:00, it's just perfect.

[douglasmatley]

Hyperactivesky, the defining moment of the ballet is in this part, when or where the sacrifice is chosen, for there are 13 maidens and the one who does not keep up is the sacrifice. This is my favorite ballet, for me, by far the best of Stravinsky's. doug

[dancekitty135]

To me, it is very evident that Joffrey's video quality is a lot better...much sharper, and shows the scene slightly from above, which allows us to see the choreographic shapes and changes. Too bad the Mariinsky video doesn't do that... Though that would still not compel me to watch the whole Rite of Spring, unless I was bored! Sorry! ...hey, you gotta give me credit for watching Les Noces--and I found it very interesting, esp. with the special features/explanations/behind-t­he-scenes