Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker - San Francisco Ballet
by Matthew Diamond
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DVD details
Actor: Damian Smith, David Arce, Davit Karapetyan, Elizabeth Powell, Yuan Yuan TanDirector: Matthew Diamond
Brand: Powell
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); French (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled)
Format: Classical, Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 132 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-11-18
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Bbc / Opus
DVD Reviews of Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker - San Francisco Ballet
DVD Review: Delightful to little eyes
Summary: 4 Stars
The SF Ballet's version of The Nutcracker is beautifully choreographed and visually appealing. My young daughters (2 & 4) ask to watch it over and over. They love the "bad guy Mouse King" and are captivated by the scenery and costumes. Set in SF in the early 1900's, it is definitely on the more playful side which keeps the attention of my little ones. The lighting is brilliant, costumes and background absolutely stunning, and the dancing is captivating. As a parent, I appreciate the fact that my girls are learning to appreciate art both in dance and music. Having seen 3 live performances, this DVD by far has held our attention and kept even the smallest ones entranced. Highly recommended for little viewers and enjoyable for adults as well.DVD Review: Missing precision
Summary: 4 Stars
It's hard to criticize anything to do with a Nutcracker performance, but this one is just B-rated. I guess there is a different standard between East Coast and West coast as far as acceptable performance. While conceding that it's hard to work with children, the overall performance of the children was sloppy and needed much more rehersal. This performance would be perfectly fine for a matinee similar to any large city's local ballet company's holiday performance, but it should not have been recorded onto video where even medium scrutiny shows less than stellar performance. All of the performers have great potential and I know they worked hard, but the director should have demanded more before recording a performance. DVD Review: the best production ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I took my son to see this live in San Francisco and it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The snow scene was so beautiful that I wanted to jump right in! This video is wonderful. My 6 year old son was enthralled the entire performance and never asked when it would be over. He was even more thrilled when he saw it on tv and watched it all over again! You will not regret this purchase at all.DVD Review: Not Compelling
Summary: 2 Stars
If I had kids that were in third grade or younger, perhaps this would be one of the better "Nutcracker" performances. It's been thoughtfully produced to be wholesome family entertainment. For that, I respect it. The picture quality is clear, and the sound is good. As an adult viewer, however, I didn't find it very compelling to watch. Seeing the children in the performance brought back memories of watching my sister's earliest ballet recitals. There's a level of informality here that's quite untypical in a release from a major ballet company. When children appear in a Kirov performance of "Sleeping Beauty," for instance, it's on a much higher level of performance. But, I will admit that SFB's children were cute and fun to watch.
Alas, the adult performances failed to do much for me. I thought that Flowers was quite surprising, because I expected more based on SFB's reputation. After a while, it sounds like a broken record, but there just isn't a substitute for Kirov and Bolshoi corps work. No, there really isn't. As far as the soloists and principals, there aren't any especially distinguished performances here.
I don't mind if other people want to enjoy this ballet. I have no doubt that my wife and I would have enjoyed a nice night out in seeing a live performance of this SFB production. What I am doubting is whether it would be better to try and borrow or rent this dvd before purchasing it as a keepsake. In a larger video collection of many versions of the "Nutcracker," this isn't going to be played often--at least not in my house. There are simply better versions out there. In the event that you've found yourself here and wanting something better, then read on, because I intend to help you to the best of my ability.
Over a period of years, I've come to the conclusion that it is not Christmas for me until I've watched the following excerpts: first and foremost, I enjoy Irina Kolpakova and Vladilen Semenyov on "Classic Kirov Performances" from Kultur Video in the "Nutcracker" pas de deux (no variations nor coda included on the tape). Secondly, anytime that Merle Park and Rudolf Nureyev are partnering together in the Royal Ballet performance from 1968 is a favorite, although I often watch the entire performance. I find the Arabian divertissement on "Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker" by the Russian State Theater Academy of Classical Ballet (Kultur Video, 1995) to be very satisfying. [I generally do not watch this latter tape in its entirety.] Finally, I love watching Bolshoi Snowflakes (see below).
In my collection, this San Francisco Ballet performance is doomed to join a bunch of other "Nutcracker" videos and DVDs that I rarely take off the shelf, including: Birmingham Royal Ballet (Yoshida / Mukhammedov, 1994); Royal Ballet (Collier / Dowell, 1985); "Nutcracker: The Motion Picture" by Pacific Northwest Ballet; "The Hard Nut" by the Mark Morris Dance Group; Staatsoper Berlin (Saidakova / Malakov, 1999); American Ballet Theatre (Kirkland / Baryshnikov, 1977); and "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" (Kistler / Woetzel, 1993).
When I watch a full length version of the "Nutcracker," the competition is tough, and I do not have a current favorite. Kirov (Lezhnina / Baranov, 1994): Their parnering is very satisfying and the corps work is fantastic. Not as strong theatrically as some western productions. Bolshoi (Arkipova and Mukhammedov, 1989): Mukhammedov is wonderfully graceful, and Arkipova acquits herself nicely trying to jump alongside her powerful partner. This is the only tape I have of her dancing, and I value it. Their performace grows on me every year. Bolshoi (Maximova / Vasiliev, 1984): They are wonderfully polished dancers with a great repertory of DVDs available. Perhaps the sets look slightly dated and I wish it were filmed a little earlier in their careers. Bolshoi (Maximova / Vasiliev and Pavlova / Gordeyev, 1978). My least favorite of the Bolshoi performances, but I still occasionally watch it. Sets also look dated. Royal Ballet (Peter Wright's Production with Alina Cojocaru, circa 2001). I'm kind of on the fence with thise one, but it works well for me from a theatrical standpoint, and there's enough good dancing to hold my interest. If I was going to ask my wife, who is primarily interested in opera and muicals, to watch with me, I think that Peter Wright prouctions are about as good as one can find.
DVD Review: Excellent Nutcracker
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a magical Nutcracker that takes your breath away. Imaginative and amazing. Better than the usual more 'clasical' productions.
Description of Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker - San Francisco Ballet
This visually stunning, all-new production of Nutcracker,choreographed by Helgi Tomasson (artistic director of the San
Francisco Ballet) is a graceful and timeless adventure on a grand
scale. The scenic design by Michael Yeargan, setting the tale at
the time of the 1915 San Francisco World Fair, is sensational.
From the lovely Waltz of the Flowers to the crystalline beauty of
the stunning Snowflake Waltz, each scene is more breathtaking
than the last, bringing to life all the well-known and beloved
characters with fresh sparkle and compelling originality.
Recorded in High Definition video and true surround sound,
this age-transcending production offers a dazzling magical
journey which has received critical acclaim throughout the
world. Illustrated synopsis & cast gallery.
Interviews with Helgi Tomasson, Michael Yeargan and Martin
Pakledinaz.
Documentary: 1915 World's Fair.
Recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco,
California, on 19th & 20th December 2007.
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