The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet | Kevin McKenzie, Georgina Parkinson

The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet | Kevin McKenzie, Georgina Parkinson | Wonderful Video!

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The Video Dictiona...

	The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet Kevin McKenzie, Georgina Parkinson Kultur Video, 1991 average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Now on DVD! The essential video dictionary of all classical ballet movements performed by some of the greatest names in American Ballet. Teachers and students alike find the Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet the most innovative and dynamic tool ever developed for learning and studying the movements of ballet. 4 1/2 hours on two DVDs, this set includes over 800 variations in Russian, French, and Cecchetti styles. Many of the movements are shown in slow motion with multiple camera angles and voice-over narrative description. This engaging program demonstrates the complete language of ballet:Positions and Directions ? Barre ? Linking Steps ? Center Practice ? Pirouettes ? Adage ? Allegro ? Batterie ? Pointe ? Musical Enchainements. For easy reference, a printed index of all the movements and variations performed is included. This comprehensive guide is demonstrated by four of the most outstanding figures in American Ballet: ? Kevin McKenzie (Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, former principal dancer, ABT) ? Georgina Parkinson (Ballet Mistress of ABT; former principal dancer, Royal Ballet) ? Merrill Ashley (former principal dancer, New York City Ballet) ? Denise Jackson (former principal dancer, Joffrey Ballet)

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For the advanced student of professional only

I am under the impression that many people buy this DVD to learn ballet. That is not the point. You can look up moves, positions, etc., but this is not a step-by-step to teach you something you haven't learned in class. It's basically a summary of how steps are done. If I'm trying to remember how move X is started, I'll pull out the DVD and already know what to look for. But it will not teach me step X. You will be disappointed if you buy expecting a class replacement, but will be happy if your intention is to use this DVD solely as a reference and as a supplement to proper classes.

It's not an overly-pretty DVD. There aren't fancy costumes, and the dancers are wearing classwear. Music in the background is to keep tempo, so don't expect to pop in the DVD and hear a beautiful orchestra and watch full dances. You will see the word, hear it pronounced in French, then see the move performed a couple times in a class setting (without onlookers). This is all. You can easily skip from scene to scene to find what you want. This is what you get.

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Wonderful Video!

I think this is a video for every ballet enthusiast. It is well spoken and pronounces the French words easily. The steps are clear and put in slow motion and fast motion. I recommend that ANYONE, ages 1 to 100, should see this video.

Learning the language

This 2 CD set is the perfect aid for those who want to learn the basic vocabulary of classical ballet. There is no better way to learn than to see the positions, barre, center work, combinations, etc. expertly demonstrated then deconstructed and explained. Each section is numbered for reference and is indexed to the insert that is included with the CD set. I myself am not a dancer but, because of a book I'm writing in which one of the main characters is a dancer, I need to learn the basic language of dance. There are many published glossaries of dance terms, but nothing written could ever come close to depicting what classical ballet is composed of: for that purpose the medium has to be visual.

Others who better know ballet can decide if this is the definitive work on the subject. To me it seems so.

A note about the technical quality: some reviewers complained about sound quality. In my opinion, that's being really nitpicky. The visuals are spectacular. Let's leave it at that.

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Intriguing!

I have always wanted to be a ballerina and always fascinated about the many different styles and techniques, BUT, I didn't realize how many different positions there were! I loved this DVD, it was so fascinating and amazing at what these dancers can do. All the hard work they put in by conditioning their bodies to give us a beautiful outcome of a performance. The DVD shows different dancers doing different postions of dance. I have a deeper respect and love of ballet.

Very good resource

This video series has so much information, so many different ballet moves, it really is a good resource. I didn't give it 5 stars because some of the dance moves aren't given a title by the narator. But this would probably help any beginner with learning ballet. Very thorough.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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