Le Corsaire

Le Corsaire Review

Had I written this review 10 years ago, I would have given it the full five stars. The masters of this DVD could have actually re-processed it a bit to make it a little clearer. Just pure laziness and a 'take it or leave it' attitude I guess.
This performance has just about every mark of greatness of execution that can ever be expected. Seeing Asylmuratova and Pankova together.... that is what great stuff is made of. Music has been performed quite well and given the fact that it was recorded eons ago,very very acceptable recording.

I know people have gone gaga over Ruzimatov. Frankly, he just doesn't compare well enough with ever so many others. In fact the old tape of Rudolph Nureyev dancing the slave dance is about the ultimate one can think in terms of this. I have seen another recording of Ruzimatov's performance in London of the same stuff in the Makarova's first reunion with the Kirov with practically the same cast. Ruzimatov has this totally unacceptable expression on his face as though he troubled by a nasty smell all the time. Just observe it next time you watch it..

There is only that much you can do with this ballet, and I don't think I shall BUY another even if it comes out in High Definition and wide screen, UNLESS the newbies come up to Asylmuratova/Pankova standards. The men other than Ali don't have too much to do anyway, with the exception of that one slave dance, which has so far never matched the old Nureyev recording. Not to my knowledge.

Le Corsaire Overview

Magnificent scenic effects and dramatic choreography have ensured the popularity of Petipa’s exotic ballet Le Corsaire, a story of pirates and shipwreck, set on the Ionian coast. This production features the Kirov Ballet with Altynai Asylmuratova and Faroukh Ruzimatov who give exuberant and extroverted performances. "…the leading dancers were little short of sensational". THE STAGE. With the Kirov Theatre Orchestra

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