Nutcracker [Blu-ray] [Import]

The Nutcracker, in Yuri Grigorovich's production, as performed by the Bolshoi Theater, has to be one of the most perfect ballets. With charming sets and costumes by the genius Simon Virsaladze, Tchaikovsky's renowned score, and the stunning dancers of the Bolshoi Theater, Grigorovich creates an aesthetically, emotionally, and musically perfect ballet. It's as if Tchaikovsky's ideas for the ballet were carried over for a century, until they found their home in Grigorovich's choreography. Personally, as a fan of ballet, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker has actually become somewhat of a banal eyesore, with virtually thousands of versions of the ballet in existence. This is the one of very few that I enjoy, and I believe the only one that I'm genuinely excited to see.
The music is played exquisitely, and the dancers are all perfect: in technique, musicality, and artistry. Nina Kaptsova is a charming and convincing Marie, somewhat reminiscent of the brilliant Ekaterina Maximova (available on another Nutcracker DVD by the Bolshoi). Artem Ovcharenko is a wonderful Nutcracker Prince, and it is evident that he was coached by the genius Nikolai Tsiskaridze, through the expressions of his arms and general understanding of the emotional palettes necessary for this ballet. Denis Savin is a strange, yet athletic, Drosselmeyer. The rest of the soloists are all excellent, I can hardly see any flaws at all - it is a pleasure to watch them.
The video is shot in HD, and the cameraman definitely knew what he was doing: all of the shots are in the right place at the right time, something uncommon in the realm of ballet DVDs.

I believe this DVD to be the perfect introduction to ballet for EVERYONE. I recommend absolutely everyone to purchase a copy, and it goes without saying - this is a must-have for any ballet lover and collector.

I now have three Blu-rays of the Nutcracker (Mariinsky and Covent Garden are the others), and it is hard to tell which is the best. This latest version is very traditional and very different to the equally good, but more Russian Mariinsky release, brilliantly performed and staged. The dancers almost defy gravity and the Prince and Drosselmeyer are quite exceptional. I found Masha in the Mariinsky very special too and the Covent Garden is a well rounded performance with Miyako Yoshida a wonderful Sugar Plum Fairy. Whichever you get you will enjoy and frankly I have no regrets about owning the lot. Only the San Francisco version failed to hit the right spot, too quirky for my taste. I do wish these Russians would give us more on Blu-ray, DVD is history after viewing this lot! A quite wonderful disc that can be viewed endlessly!

This is a 2010 performance of the popular Grigorovich version, featuring an all adult cast(with one notable exception! See if you can find the very talented child) and great energetic choreography for which Grigorovich is well known and appreciated.(This DVD does NOT contain the same performance that was live steamed to theaters, as some seem to believe; The ballerina doesn't fall in the Indian Dance in the performance featured on this DVD.) The first act is danced by adults in the children's roles and there is robust choreography for everyone, including Drosselmeyer. The Mouse King also does some impressive dancing and this version contains the usual battle between the mice and the Nutcracker Prince with his army.
In this version, the young girl is called Marie(normally, she is Clara) and she dances the final pas de deux with the Prince in the last act. In other versions, it is the Sugar Plum Fairy who dances it(in case you are wondering exactly who the Sugar Plum Fairy is, she rules in the Land of Sweets in place of the Prince who was bewitched and transformed into a nutcracker). I find that since Marie is the central character and the motivation for the entire ballet, it makes more sense for her to transform in her dream into a princess to dance with her prince. After all, what is the point to a dream if not that? This final pas de deux, danced by Nina Kaptsova as Marie and Artem Ovcharenko as the Prince is one of the best I have seen. Kaptsova dances with exceptional musicality and precision and Ovcharenko is very smooth with great leaps landing with precise surety and cushioned silence. The other dancers also perform impressively.
The sets and costumes are colorful and stunning. Especially noteworthy is the lighting, which makes the entire ballet sparkle with clarity. The image and sound on this DVD is as fine as I have seen. This Nutcracker is a great addition to the genre.