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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => The Polling Station => Topic started by: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:10:23 PM

Title: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:10:23 PM
Please......just one more top 10 thread! :D In no particular order (with one per composer):

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: The Firebird
VW: Job: A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
de Falla: El amor brujo
Ginastera: Estancia
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne
Bartok: The Wooden Prince
Szymanowski: Harnasie

Honorable mentions: Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, Copland: Appalachian Spring, Shostakovich: The Golden Age, Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba, Villa-Lobos: Uirapuru, Tubin: Kratt, Tveitt: Baldur's Dreams, Karayev: In the Path of Thunder, Gliere: The Red Poppy, Khachaturian: Spartacus, Glazunov: The Seasons, Martinu: Spalicek, Nosyrev: Song of Triumphant Love, Bliss: Adam Zero
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 24, 2013, 05:26:19 PM
Now this is something I can participate in and not complain about! ;) My 10 favorite ballets (in no particular order) and some no doubt will match Kyle's:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne (but I could have gone just as easily with Le festin de l'araignée)
Prokofiev: Le pas d'acier
Ginastera: Estancia
Pierne: Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied
Schnittke: Peer Gynt
Copland: Dance Panels
W. Schuman: Undertow
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:48:50 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 24, 2013, 05:26:19 PM
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne (but I could have gone just as easily with Le festin de l'araignée)

Ah, that's what I was forgetting, the good ol' Golden Age! Yes, I could've easily went with Le festin de l'araignée as well. Another one I forgot was Respighi's Belkis, Queen of Sheba, with its thrilling War Dance.

P.S. No Job, John? :(
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Daverz on September 24, 2013, 06:16:05 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:10:23 PM
Please......just one more top 10 thread! :D In no particular order (with one per composer):

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: The Firebird
VW: Job: A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
de Falla: El amor brujo
Ginastera: Estancia
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Copland: Appalachian Spring

Honorable mentions: Shostakovich: The Golden Age, Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba, Villa-Lobos: Uirapuru, Tubin: Kratt, Tveitt: Baldur's Dreams, Karayev: In the Path of Thunder, Gliere: The Red Poppy, Khachaturian: Spartacus, Glazunov: The Seasons, Martinu: Spalicek, Nosyrev: Song of Triumphant Love, Bliss: Adam Zero

I'd include more Prokofiev, at least Cinderella.  I don't know the Nosyrev, and haven't gotten to the Tveitt.  I don't like Job much.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 06:41:50 PM
Quote from: Daverz on September 24, 2013, 06:16:05 PM
I'd include more Prokofiev, at least Cinderella.  I don't know the Nosyrev, and haven't gotten to the Tveitt.  I don't like Job much.

I was limiting myself to one work per composer. Had I not done so, I would have included Prokofiev's Cinderella and On the Dnieper and Stravinsky's Petrushka and The Rite of Spring. Here's the link to the Nosyrev, a meltingly lyrical, exotic work:

[asin]B00004Y6ZI[/asin]

Judging from what I've read about his life, Nosyrev suffered even more under Stalin's regime than did Shostakovich!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 24, 2013, 07:34:35 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:48:50 PM

P.S. No Job, John? :(

I love Job, but it hasn't fallen under my radar in quite some time. Again, I simply can't be all inclusive with these kinds of lists. I listed some long-time favorites and listed some recent favorites.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2013, 12:44:18 AM
Stravinsky: L'oiseau de feu, Sacre, Les noces, Agon
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Britten: The Prince of the Pagodas
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Szymanowski: Harnasie
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 02:37:53 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2013, 12:44:18 AM
Szymanowski: Harnasie

Why is it that I keep forgetting Szymanowski in my lists? I think I'll replace Appalachian Spring with Harnasie. :)
Title: Re: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Karl Henning on September 25, 2013, 03:01:43 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 06:41:50 PM
Judging from what I've read about his life, Nosyrev suffered even more under Stalin's regime than did Shostakovich!

Well, truly, that was no horse race either. Those angels weep who weigh the suffering of mortals.
Title: Re: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Karl Henning on September 25, 2013, 03:03:26 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2013, 12:44:18 AM

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet


Yes, I agree that if we might choose only one, it must be the Op.64.
Title: Re: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2013, 03:40:30 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 02:37:53 AM
Why is it that I keep forgetting Szymanowski in my lists? I think I'll replace Appalachian Spring with Harnasie. :)
Well, it's good that I can remind you :)


Quote from: karlhenning on September 25, 2013, 03:03:26 AM
Yes, I agree that if we might choose only one, it must be the Op.64.
Plenty of other excellent ballets, but they're not even close really.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brahmsian on September 25, 2013, 04:10:02 AM
Ooooh!  I will be participating in this thread.  One of my favourite mediums of Classical Music.  :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 25, 2013, 04:11:03 AM
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake.
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet.
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé.
Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba.
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin.
Szymanowski: Harnasie.
Glazunov: The Seasons.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2013, 04:26:05 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 24, 2013, 05:10:23 PM
Please......just one more top 10 thread! :D In no particular order (with one per composer):

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: The Firebird
VW: Job: A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
de Falla: El amor brujo
Ginastera: Estancia
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Szymanowski: Harnasie

Honorable mentions: Copland: Appalachian Spring, Shostakovich: The Golden Age, Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba, Villa-Lobos: Uirapuru, Tubin: Kratt, Tveitt: Baldur's Dreams, Karayev: In the Path of Thunder, Gliere: The Red Poppy, Khachaturian: Spartacus, Glazunov: The Seasons, Martinu: Spalicek, Nosyrev: Song of Triumphant Love, Bliss: Adam Zero

You know, Kyjo, you always cheat. You never list just 10 in your Top 10 threads  :D  In this case you've given us your Top 23 Favorite Ballets  ;)

Sarge
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: mc ukrneal on September 25, 2013, 04:39:40 AM
Some of us make the hard choices!! :) 

Lovenskiold: La Sylphide (I think this is my #1)
Minkus: la Bayedere
Delibes: Coppelia
Glazunov: Raymonda
Adam: Giselle
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Prokofiev: Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2013, 04:40:54 AM
Hmmm. This list is 90% French/Russian.

Copland: Rodeo (complete uncut version (http://www.amazon.com/Copland-Rodeo-Four-Dance-Episodes/dp/B00CE28SR4/))
Khachaturian: Gayaneh
Offenbach/Rosenthal: Gaîté Parisienne
Pierne: Cydalise et le chèvre-pied
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

Unpopular opinion alert!!: I do not like The Nutcracker except a few highlight bits.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 25, 2013, 04:43:13 AM
Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet; On The Dnieper; The Prodigal Son
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin

That's all I can think of right now, wait did Strauss write a ballet? Oh yes he did ;D ....

Strauss: Josephslegende

Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2013, 04:45:34 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 04:40:54 AM

Ravel: Ma mère l'oye
I knew I forgot something.   :-[

Revised list:

Stravinsky: L'oiseau de feu Sacre, Les noces, Agon
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Britten: The Prince of the Pagodas
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Szymanowski: Harnasie
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2013, 05:37:10 AM
A baker's dozen...plus one two  8)

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Schnittke Peer Gynt
Stravinsky Le sacre du printemps
Stravinsky Le baiser de la fée
Stravinsky Agon
Strauss Josephslegende
Vaughan Williams Job
Copland Rodeo
Piston The Incredible Flutist
Hindemith The Four Temperaments
Satie Parade
Bernstein Fancy Free
Elena Kats-Chernin Wild Swans
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2013, 06:31:27 AM
Quote from: mc ukrneal on September 25, 2013, 04:39:40 AM
Lovenskiold: La Sylphide (I think this is my #1)
I've never even heard of this composer! Listening now!  8)
Title: Re: Top 15 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Drasko on September 25, 2013, 08:54:08 AM
Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake
Delibes Sylvia
Adam Giselle
Debussy Prelude a l'après-midi d'un faune
Ravel Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky Sacre du Printemps
Stravinsky Les Noces
Stravinsky Pulcinella
Prokofiev Le pas d'acier
de Falla El Amor brujo
Poulenc Les Biches
Milhaud Le Train Bleu
Bartok The Miraculous Mandarin
Henze Undine

... and that's leaving French baroque out of equation.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: mc ukrneal on September 25, 2013, 09:02:15 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 06:31:27 AM
I've never even heard of this composer! Listening now!  8)
It is firmly in the romantic tradition. I fell for this on Mezzo one day. It is pure fun and beautiful music. I only know of two recorded versions on CD - CPO and Chandos. There is a DVD as well.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 10:55:08 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2013, 04:26:05 AM
You know, Kyjo, you always cheat. You never list just 10 in your Top 10 threads  :D  In this case you've given us your Top 23 Favorite Ballets  ;)

Sarge

;D

Well, I did give a defined top ten, at least! I can't stop there, though! ;)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 10:58:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 04:40:54 AM
Hmmm. This list is 90% French/Russian.

Copland: Rodeo (complete uncut version (http://www.amazon.com/Copland-Rodeo-Four-Dance-Episodes/dp/B00CE28SR4/))
Khachaturian: Gayaneh
Offenbach/Rosenthal: Gaîté Parisienne
Pierne: Cydalise et le chèvre-pied
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

Unpopular opinion alert!!: I do not like The Nutcracker except a few highlight bits.

I, too, would have included Ma mere l'oye had I allowed myself more than one example per composer. You're the second person to mention the Pierne; I'll have to revisit it! Yeah, I'm not a huge Nutcracker fan either, mostly because it's so overplayed. I love the Pas de deux, though. This movement alone is worth the entire price of admission for the ballet IMO.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 10:59:49 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2013, 04:45:34 AM
Stravinsky: L'oiseau de feu

NOOOOOO!!!! :( :D
Title: Re: Top 15 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 11:01:28 AM
Quote from: Drasko on September 25, 2013, 08:54:08 AM
Henze Undine

Nice pick, Drasko! Undine is a work of great power and beauty. :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Karl Henning on September 25, 2013, 11:06:34 AM
Top 15, eh?  I think I see the trend here . . . .
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 11:08:12 AM
Anyone who enjoys Rimsky, Liadov, Khachaturian, or any other Russian/Soviet composers of "exotic" persuasion can't afford to miss out on Kara Karayev's wonderful ballet suites:

[asin]B005A0FDKC[/asin]

They have the same soaring melodies and catchy rhythms of the Khachaturian ballets but are overall less banal, so don't be put off by any comparisons to the Armenian composer if you're not too fond of his music. Karayev was also a better orchestrator than Khachaturian, bringing him closer to Rimsky in his use of glittering orchestral colors.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2013, 12:29:27 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 10:59:49 AM
NOOOOOO!!!! :( :D
I hate myself for doing that, but one early Stravinsky had to go.  :-X
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2013, 12:39:52 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 11:08:12 AMKarayev was also a better orchestrator than Khachaturian,
!!!
That's it, I'm listening immediately. That's like saying "Karayev had a deeper voice than James Earl Jones."
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 12:50:26 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 12:39:52 PM
!!!
That's it, I'm listening immediately. That's like saying "Karayev had a deeper voice than James Earl Jones."

Don't get me wrong, I love Khachaturian's music, but his orchestration isn't exactly the last word in mastery, though it is far from bad. I love the music of some composers who weren't particularly noted orchestrators (Rachmaninov, for example). And, of course, I loathe the music of one of the most acclaimed orchestrators of all time, he who need not be named! :D I take it you believe Khachaturian was a great orchestrator, and there's nothing wrong with that. BTW let us know what you think of the Karayev works, Brian. :)

Here's the YouTube links for The Seven Beauties (which the uploader appropriately denotes as "must be heard!"):

1/3: http://youtu.be/VTgkq7WcHJg
2/3: http://youtu.be/tXCsUuymRoQ
3/3: http://youtu.be/svUeCeAzjBs

Couldn't find a YT upload of In the Path of Thunder.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 12:57:29 PM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2013, 12:29:27 PM
I hate myself for doing that, but one early Stravinsky had to go.  :-X

It's okay, Karlo. All the Stravinsky ballets are great, but I just had to pick Firebird because I've loved it for a long time. The Finale is one of the most awesome three minutes in all of classical music! :D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2013, 01:09:54 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 12:57:29 PM
It's okay, Karlo. All the Stravinsky ballets are great, but I just had to pick Firebird because I've loved it for a long time. The Finale is one of the most awesome three minutes in all of classical music! :D
I might have been a bit melodramatic..
Yes indeed, and the beginning is one of the best, too, incredibly ominous. :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2013, 01:31:51 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 12:50:26 PMAnd, of course, I loathe the music of one of the most acclaimed orchestrators of all time, he who need not be named! :D

Stravinsky? Rimsky? Ravel? Mahler? Voldemort?

I have Naxos Music Library... on scene 10 of 11 from the Seven Beauties. So far very enjoyable (esp. Slavonic Dance), but without the big gushing melodies that make Khachaturian more immediately appealing. It's well-scored but not unusually so, I don't think.

Oh hey the final procession is very cool. Might take back that last bit about the scoring in light of the beginning for clarinets and piccolo duet.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 01:48:40 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 01:31:51 PM
Stravinsky? Rimsky? Ravel? Mahler? Voldemort?

Nope! Haven't you been reading my posts? ;)

Thanks for the report. Is In the Path of Thunder on Naxos Music Library as well? If so, don't fail to check it out!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 01:49:43 PM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2013, 01:09:54 PM
I might have been a bit melodramatic..
Yes indeed, and the beginning is one of the best, too, incredibly ominous. :)

Melodramatic? Far from it! Yes, agree with you about the opening. :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 01:59:55 PM
Here's the link to a YT playlist of Nosyrev's fantastic Song of Triumphant Love: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhk6tNxasa_gw0b50aMzdVCw5jn1BKJjV
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brahmsian on September 25, 2013, 02:23:23 PM
Here goes, and trying to stick to just one per composer.

In composer alphabetical order

Adam - Giselle
Bartok - The Wooden Prince
Beethoven - The Creatures of Prometheus
Delibes - Sylvia
Glazunov - The Seasons
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliette
Ravel - Daphne et Chloe
Shostakovich - The Golden Age
Stravinsky - Petrouchka
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake

Honorable mentions:  Too many, but I'll list one: Vaughan Williams - Job: A Masque for Dancing
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: amw on September 25, 2013, 03:57:18 PM
Do all of you keep your eyes tightly shut when you go to the ballet? ;P

I'm not sure I could name 10 favourites, but some of the ones I recall enjoying include -

Balanchine/Stravinsky - Stravinsky Violin Concerto (may be my overall favourite)
Balanchine/Stravinsky - Orpheus
Balanchine/Prokofiev - The Prodigal Son
Robbins/Bernstein - Fancy Free
Robbins/Gould - Interplay
Martins/Barber - Barber Violin Concerto (I think that's the title...)
Ailey/Ellington - ? (I know it's not Revelations, it had a band onstage with some pretty scary trumpet playing and... stuff...)
And several by less well-known choreographers whose names I don't remember unfortunately (most of which were indebted in some way to modern dance as well as the ballet tradition, but I suppose that's where my tastes lie) with various sources of music. Outside the big houses most of the repertoire rarely if ever acknowledges the composer, and almost never mentions the name of the composition. I recall some pieces to music by a band/solo project called something like Murcof (does that sound familiar?) which were both choreographically and musically interesting, although not really "classical".

Very New York-centric, since I actually haven't been to a single ballet performance since leaving there. Unless Māori traditional dancing counts XD
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 04:15:14 PM
Another ballet I really enjoy which I haven't mentioned yet is Antill's earthy, colorful Corroboree:

[asin]B0018PJEJO[/asin]

http://youtu.be/62eN2sthuWk

I've seen I dubbed "The Australian Rite of Spring" and I can see why! :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 05:27:18 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 04:15:14 PM
Another ballet I really enjoy which I haven't mentioned yet is Antill's earthy, colorful Corroboree:

[asin]B0018PJEJO[/asin]

http://youtu.be/62eN2sthuWk

I've seen I dubbed "The Australian Rite of Spring" and I can see why! :)

A very cool ballet, Kyle. I need to revisit this one at some juncture.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 05:28:55 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 05:27:18 PM
A very cool ballet, Kyle. I need to revisit this one at some juncture.

Yeah, it seems like a work that would be right up your alley!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 05:54:55 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 05:28:55 PM
Yeah, it seems like a work that would be right up your alley!

Yeah, I've heard it several times. Another Australian ballet I like a lot is Sculthorpe's Sun Music I-IV. Some unreal textures and from my understanding a very difficult work to perform well at least according to Sydney Symphony Orchestra members who nearly cancelled the premiere of the work.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 06:05:33 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 05:54:55 PM
Yeah, I've heard it several times. Another Australian ballet I like a lot is Sculthorpe's Sun Music I-IV. Some unreal textures and from my understanding a very difficult work to perform well at least according to Sydney Symphony Orchestra members who nearly cancelled the premiere of the work.

It's quite possible to detect influences from Antill's ballet in Sculthorpe's music. Primal rhythms, rough-hewn textures, and evocations of the Australian landscape are features of both Corroboree and Sculhorpe's music.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kishnevi on September 25, 2013, 06:12:54 PM
Must admit ballet is not something I'm keen on, especially the classic 19th century kind. I fell alseep once watching La Bayadere.  So if there doesn't seem to be anything that's not appallingly mainstream, that's why.

Stravinsky: Petrushka
Stravinsky: The Firebird
Stravinsky: Le Sacre de Printemps
Vaughn Williams:  Job
de Falla: el Amor Brujo
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Copland: Rodeo
Verdi: Ballet Music from Aida*

*I'd list Gershwin's American in Paris,  except I'm not sure if Gene Kelley dancing on the silver screen counts for purposes of this thread.

Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2013, 08:02:21 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2013, 04:15:14 PM
Another ballet I really enjoy which I haven't mentioned yet is Antill's earthy, colorful Corroboree:

[asin]B0018PJEJO[/asin]

http://youtu.be/62eN2sthuWk

I've seen I dubbed "The Australian Rite of Spring" and I can see why! :)

I have a great memory of this one. In 2008, Houston was struck by a hurricane and I was walking back to my apartment from college, along a temporarily abandoned train track (the trains returned when power was restored). As I walked I had Corroboree blasting at high volume in my headphones. Something about listening to that music at 1 a.m. in an abandoned nighttime cityscape was really, really cool.

But no, I don't remember a post of yours where you confess to hating some really good orchestrator.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 25, 2013, 09:06:14 PM
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
Bartok: Miraculous Mandarin
Henze: Undine
Schnittke: Peer Gynt
Tubin: Kratt
Ravel: Daphne et Chloe
Stravinsky: Petrushka
Szymanowski: Harnasie
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (got to have at least one traditional one)
Strauss: Dance of the Seven Veils (I know it is not technically a ballet, but it can be!!!)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 09:30:38 PM
Nice picks, Paul!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 25, 2013, 09:41:32 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 25, 2013, 09:30:38 PM
Nice picks, Paul!

I know you'd like it.

I did not have room for Dance Panels, Job and Romeo and Juliette
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Christo on September 26, 2013, 10:29:15 AM
Again, a mixture of the over-familiar and perhaps less familiar (almost forgot Falla, and yes, Corroboree and many more could also be mentioned; I love all Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky ballets for example, and also those by Prokoviev, but just not enough to include them here). And though Vaughan Williams is my all-time favourite composer, his Job leaves me rather cold, I thought I should let you know in advance. Perhaps I should have opted for his other ballets or 'masques for dancing', Old King Cole, On Christmas Night, or The Bridal Day.)   ;)

Tchaikovsky, Lebedinoye ozero (1876)
Maurice Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé (1912)
Igor Stravinsky, Le Sacre du Printemps (1913)
Gabriel Pierné, Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied (1915)
Manuel de Falla, El sombrero de tres picos (1915)
Bohuslav Martinů, Špalíček (1931/40)
Eduard Tubin, Kratt (1940)
Alberto Ginastera, Estancia (1941)
Aram Khachaturian, Gayane (1942)
Arthur Bliss, Miracle in the Gorbals (1944)
Stevan Hristić, Ohridska legenda (1947)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kishnevi on September 26, 2013, 10:32:34 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on September 25, 2013, 06:12:54 PM
Must admit ballet is not something I'm keen on, especially the classic 19th century kind. I fell alseep once watching La Bayadere.  So if there doesn't seem to be anything that's not appallingly mainstream, that's why.

Stravinsky: Petrushka
Stravinsky: The Firebird
Stravinsky: Le Sacre de Printemps
Vaughn Williams:  Job
de Falla: el Amor Brujo
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
Tchaikovksy:  Nutcracker 
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Verdi: Ballet Music from Aida*


*alright, if that doesn't qualify,  then put in either Swan Lake or Les Noces

I managed to completely forget that Daphnis et Chloe was a ballet until Springrite's post reminded me;  list has been amended accordingly by deleting Sleeping Beauty.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Drasko on September 26, 2013, 12:13:26 PM
Quote from: amw on September 25, 2013, 03:57:18 PM
Do all of you keep your eyes tightly shut when you go to the ballet? ;P

I'm not sure I could name 10 favourites, but some of the ones I recall enjoying include -

Balanchine/Stravinsky - Stravinsky Violin Concerto (may be my overall favourite)
Balanchine/Stravinsky - Orpheus
Balanchine/Prokofiev - The Prodigal Son
Robbins/Bernstein - Fancy Free
Robbins/Gould - Interplay
Martins/Barber - Barber Violin Concerto (I think that's the title...)
Ailey/Ellington - ? (I know it's not Revelations, it had a band onstage with some pretty scary trumpet playing and... stuff...)
And several by less well-known choreographers whose names I don't remember unfortunately (most of which were indebted in some way to modern dance as well as the ballet tradition, but I suppose that's where my tastes lie) with various sources of music. Outside the big houses most of the repertoire rarely if ever acknowledges the composer, and almost never mentions the name of the composition. I recall some pieces to music by a band/solo project called something like Murcof (does that sound familiar?) which were both choreographically and musically interesting, although not really "classical".

Very New York-centric, since I actually haven't been to a single ballet performance since leaving there. Unless Māori traditional dancing counts XD

I'm pretty sure thread starter meant ballet as piece of music written for the ballet rather than staged choreography. This is not very dance oriented forum, doubt that more than three members could list ten favorite ballets as staged dance productions. I'll give it a try:

Sleeping Beauty - Marius Petipa
Giselle - Coralli/Perrot/Petipa
Petite Mort - Jiri Kylian
Six Dances - Jiri Kylian
In the middle, somewhat elevated - William Forsythe
Jewels - Balanchine
Apollo - Balanchine
Le Sacre du printemps - Angelin Preljocaj
Sylvia - John Neumeier
Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune - Vaslav Nijinsky (Nureyev reconstruction)
Le Train bleu - Bronislava Nijinska
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Karl Henning on September 26, 2013, 12:34:49 PM
Quote from: Drasko on September 26, 2013, 12:13:26 PM
I'm pretty sure thread starter meant ballet as piece of music written for the ballet rather than staged choreography.

But, there is that ambiguity.

Thread Duty:

Only ten? Impossible!  But, here are ten I always think highly of, in no particular order:

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet, Op.64
Prokofiev, L'enfant prodigue, Op.46
Copland, Billy the Kid
Stravinsky, Agon
Stravinsky, Le baiser de la fée
Debussy, Jeux
Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66
Cage, Cheap Imitation
Barber, Cave of the Heart
Wuorinen, Dante Trilogy
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 26, 2013, 12:43:05 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2013, 05:37:10 AM
A baker's dozen...plus one  8)

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake
Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker
Schnittke Peer Gynt
Stravinsky Le sacre du printemps
Stravinsky Le baiser de la fée
Stravinsky Agon
Strauss Josephslegende
Vaughan Williams Job
Copland Rodeo
Piston The Incredible Flutist
Hindemith The Four Temperaments
Satie Parade
Bernstein Fancy Free

Talk of Australian ballet composers reminds me of another I really like. Add  Elena Kats-Chernin Wild Swans to my list.

Sarge
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 26, 2013, 12:53:21 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 26, 2013, 12:34:49 PM
Stravinsky, Agon
Stravinsky, Le baiser de la fée
Debussy, Jeux

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/asheville/thumbup.jpg)


I knew those three would make the list...if you made a list. And you have  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kishnevi on September 26, 2013, 01:02:17 PM
This thread keeps reminding me of ballet/dance music I like but didn't have at the front of my memory.
This is MyList 3.0.  Pyotr Ilyich has been entirely elided.

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on September 25, 2013, 06:12:54 PM
Must admit ballet is not something I'm keen on, especially the classic 19th century kind. I fell alseep once watching La Bayadere.  So if there doesn't seem to be anything that's not appallingly mainstream, that's why.

Stravinsky: Petrushka
Stravinsky: The Firebird
Stravinsky: Le Sacre de Printemps
Vaughn Williams:  Job
de Falla: el Amor Brujo
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Copland: Rodeo
Verdi: Ballet Music from Aida*

*I'd list Gershwin's American in Paris,  except I'm not sure if Gene Kelley dancing on the silver screen counts for purposes of this thread.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 01:32:33 PM
Nice to see some votes for Tubin's Kratt! It's a really stunning work:

[asin]B000CSUMTO[/asin]
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 01:34:07 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2013, 08:02:21 PM
I have a great memory of this one. In 2008, Houston was struck by a hurricane and I was walking back to my apartment from college, along a temporarily abandoned train track (the trains returned when power was restored). As I walked I had Corroboree blasting at high volume in my headphones. Something about listening to that music at 1 a.m. in an abandoned nighttime cityscape was really, really cool.

But no, I don't remember a post of yours where you confess to hating some really good orchestrator.

Cool story, Brian! OK, the really good orchestrator whose music I happen to hate is R. Strauss.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 01:37:18 PM
Quote from: Christo on September 26, 2013, 10:29:15 AM
Stevan Hristić, Ohridska legenda (1947)

I have this one in my collection and think quite highly of it. It's a hugely exciting and colorful work: http://youtu.be/w5MFnMuXtRU

It's real shame Croatian (and Balkan in general) music is so neglected by the record companies. :(
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 26, 2013, 01:47:57 PM
Favourite ballet i've seen is the Klami/Aho Pyörteitä (Whirls) (Aho finished the orchestrating and wrote much of the 3rd tableau from scratch, with quotations from other Klami works) - though I hated the first two tableau's choreography. Enjoyed the music very much indeed, though. Of course, this is also the only one I've seen...
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kishnevi on September 26, 2013, 01:57:21 PM
Quote from: North Star on September 26, 2013, 01:47:57 PM
Of course, this is also the only one I've seen...

You've still seen more live ballet than I've seen (not counting DVDs/TV broadcasts, etc.)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 26, 2013, 02:04:47 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on September 26, 2013, 01:57:21 PM
You've still seen more live ballet than I've seen (not counting DVDs/TV broadcasts, etc.)
I wish I could have just heard it...  ::)
I can watch sth. like Le Sacre, Tchaikovsky, Faun, though, but might just as well be just listening.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 02:09:08 PM
Quote from: North Star on September 26, 2013, 01:47:57 PM
Favourite ballet i've seen is the Klami/Aho Pyörteitä (Whirls) (Aho finished the orchestrating and wrote much of the 3rd tableau from scratch, with quotations from other Klami works) - though I hated the first two tableau's choreography. Enjoyed the music very much indeed, though. Of course, this is also the only one I've seen...

Whirls is a great piece, and Aho's Symphonic Dances (the completion of the 3rd tableau) is a real favorite of mine. Such a dazzling score!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 26, 2013, 02:24:48 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 02:09:08 PM
Whirls is a great piece, and Aho's Symphonic Dances (the completion of the 3rd tableau) is a real favorite of mine. Such a dazzling score!
I knew you'd know them :) Great pieces indeed!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Christo on September 26, 2013, 09:52:37 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 02:09:08 PM
Whirls is a great piece, and Aho's Symphonic Dances (the completion of the 3rd tableau) is a real favorite of mine. Such a dazzling score!

Seconded! I only heard the Suites and Act 1 (both Bis) from Pyörteitä (Whirls) and for me they are Klami's best score.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Drasko on September 27, 2013, 03:57:36 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 26, 2013, 01:37:18 PM
I have this one in my collection and think quite highly of it. It's a hugely exciting and colorful work: http://youtu.be/w5MFnMuXtRU

It's real shame Croatian (and Balkan in general) music is so neglected by the record companies. :(

What you linked are four suites culled out of complete ballet (recorded multiple times). Complete ballet is about 90 minutes. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ4sXX9yBTs , though I don't think there is an official release of that recording, nor any other full length for that matter. Hristic is Serbian btw.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Christo on September 27, 2013, 08:38:30 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 26, 2013, 01:47:57 PM
Favourite ballet i've seen is the Klami/Aho Pyörteitä (Whirls) (Aho finished the orchestrating and wrote much of the 3rd tableau from scratch, with quotations from other Klami works) - though I hated the first two tableau's choreography. Enjoyed the music very much indeed, though. Of course, this is also the only one I've seen...

Pardon?  ;)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 11:08:45 AM
Quote from: Drasko on September 27, 2013, 03:57:36 AM
What you linked are four suites culled out of complete ballet (recorded multiple times). Complete ballet is about 90 minutes. Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ4sXX9yBTs , though I don't think there is an official release of that recording, nor any other full length for that matter. Hristic is Serbian btw.

Thanks for the link, Drasko! How rash of me to assume Hristic is Croatian. ::)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on September 27, 2013, 02:48:43 PM
Quote from: Christo on September 27, 2013, 08:38:30 AM
Pardon?  ;)
Whaaaaat?  :laugh:
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 06:45:38 PM
Discussion of Bartok has led me to remember that I FORGOT THE WOODEN PRINCE!!!!! I can't be having memory disorders already! It'll displace Sleeping Beauty in my top 10. Had I allowed more than one per composer, I would have included The Miraculous Mandarin as well.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kishnevi on September 27, 2013, 07:04:11 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 06:45:38 PM
Discussion of Bartok has led me to remember that I FORGOT THE WOODEN PRINCE!!!!! I can't be having memory disorders already! It'll displace Sleeping Beauty in my top 10. Had I allowed more than one per composer, I would have included The Miraculous Mandarin as well.

This thread is full of posts mentioning works that I've heard but don't think of off the top of my head, or which I forgot were  ballets.  The two Bartoks are good examples of that.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brahmsian on September 28, 2013, 03:02:34 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 06:45:38 PM
Discussion of Bartok has led me to remember that I FORGOT THE WOODEN PRINCE!!!!! I can't be having memory disorders already! It'll displace Sleeping Beauty in my top 10. Had I allowed more than one per composer, I would have included The Miraculous Mandarin as well.

I mentioned The Wooden Prince in my top 10.  :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 06:15:00 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 28, 2013, 03:02:34 AM
I mentioned The Wooden Prince in my top 10.  :)

Then I should have remembered it sooner......
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 06:18:31 AM
I'm still extremely satisfied with the list I gave of my favorite ballets or I should say I feel confident enough in my choices that I don't feel I should take any of the ballets off to accommodate another one. Kyle, you're more indecisive than I am! :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 08:45:25 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 06:18:31 AM
Kyle, you're more indecisive than I am! :)

I wouldn't go that far! :laugh: Here is my final top 10, version 1.3:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: The Firebird
VW: Job: A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
de Falla: El amor brujo
Ginastera: Estancia
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne
Bartok: The Wooden Prince
Szymanowski: Harnasie


Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 28, 2013, 08:56:31 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 08:45:25 AM
I wouldn't go that far! :laugh: Here is my final top 10, version 1.3:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: The Firebird
VW: Job: A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Debussy: Jeux
de Falla: El amor brujo
Ginastera: Estancia
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne
Bartok: The Wooden Prince
Szymanowski: Harnasie

like Bruckner, your earlier versions tends to be better.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 09:14:43 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 28, 2013, 08:56:31 AM
like Bruckner, your earlier versions tends to be better.

:P

I take it you're not big fans of either Harnasie or The Wooden Prince, then? BTW Paul, you have a really great sense of humor. You should be a comedian! I ain't kiddin'! :D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 28, 2013, 09:23:48 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 09:14:43 AM
:P

I take it you're not big fans of either Harnasie or The Wooden Prince, then? BTW Paul, you have a really great sense of humor. You should be a comedian! I ain't kiddin'! :D
Actually Harnasie was on my list, and Wooden Prince is good, too. I certainly could be a comedian, and was when I was in high school. But that was a dangerous thing here in China, if you know what you mean.

Guess I always maintained that comedian tendency in me, and I am not about to lose an opportunity, with John being my preferred target and you slowly getting onto my hit list. My wife heard a type of Rocking Rodney Dangerfield so I have been properly warned against the wife jabs. So I have to look for my own Fat Albert.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 02:14:13 PM
Quote from: springrite on September 28, 2013, 09:23:48 AM
Actually Harnasie was on my list, and Wooden Prince is good, too. I certainly could be a comedian, and was when I was in high school. But that was a dangerous thing here in China, if you know what you mean.

Guess I always maintained that comedian tendency in me, and I am not about to lose an opportunity, with John being my preferred target and you slowly getting onto my hit list. My wife heard a type of Rocking Rodney Dangerfield so I have been properly warned against the wife jabs. So I have to look for my own Fat Albert.

I wish I was as funny as I think I am! ;) Keep it up with the humor-it's quite easy to direct sarcasm at myself! ;D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 06:28:43 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 08:45:25 AM
I wouldn't go that far! :laugh: Here is my final top 10, version 1.3:

I would! You just made another list! Looks like I'm beginning to look much more sane than you are. But it's good that you're hanging around here, you certainly take a lot of heat off me. ;) :D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 06:35:52 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 06:28:43 PM
I would! You just made another list! Looks like I'm beginning to look much more sane than you are. But it's good that you're hanging around here, you certainly take a lot of heat off me. ;) :D

I guess you could say I'm picking up where you left off! :D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 06:49:10 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 06:35:52 PM
I guess you could say I'm picking up where you left off! :D

And you're doing a fine job sir!!!! :P
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 07:05:09 PM
I'm now up to an average of 16 posts a day! I'll soon be surpassing you! :D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 07:11:54 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 07:05:09 PM
I'm now up to an average of 16 posts a day! I'll soon be surpassing you! :D

You've got a llllloooooonnnnnggggg way to go before you catch up with me. :)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on September 28, 2013, 11:54:06 PM
Job by Vaughan Williams
Rite of Spring Stravinsky
Daphnis and Chloe Ravel
Adam Zero Bliss
Miracle in the Gorbals Bliss
Checkmate Bliss
The Seasons Glazunov
Billy the Kid Copland
Rodeo Copland
Romeo and Juliet Prokofiev
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 29, 2013, 05:44:11 AM
One per composer.. :D

Stravinsky: Le Sacre
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake
de Falla: The Three Cornered Hat
Respighi: Belkis
Glazunov: The Seasons
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Khachaturian: Gayaneh
Debussy: Jeux
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 29, 2013, 05:49:59 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 29, 2013, 05:44:11 AM
Respighi: Belkis


Now, I approve of that addition!
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Christo on September 29, 2013, 11:42:31 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 29, 2013, 05:49:59 AM
Now, I approve of that addition!

I don't trust you!  ;)  :) The only thing we have are two recordings of the Suite from Belkis, not the whole d-d thing!  >:D
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: springrite on September 29, 2013, 11:44:59 AM
Quote from: Christo on September 29, 2013, 11:42:31 AM
I don't trust you!  ;)  :) The only thing we have are two recordings of the Suite from Belkis, not the whole d-d thing!  >:D

Well, Kimi only listens to (and dance to) the War Dance anyway.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Christo on September 29, 2013, 11:55:42 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 29, 2013, 11:44:59 AM
Well, Kimi only listens to (and dance to) the War Dance anyway.

Aha! Kimi's favourite ballets then:

1. War dance (from Belkis, Respighi)
2. Sword dance (from Gayane, Khatchaturian)
3. Attack (from Checkmate, Bliss)
4. Danse infernale (from Firebird, Stravinsky)
5. Medea's Dance of Vengeance (from Medea, Barber) etc.  ::)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: SymphonicAddict on August 23, 2018, 11:02:35 PM
Well, my list will consist in this:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
Karayev - The Seven Beauties
Stravinsky - Le Sacre du Printemps
Respighi - Belkis
Tubin - Kratt
Alfvén - Bergakungen
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Khachaturian - Gayaneh
Antill - Corroboree
Glazunov - The Seasons

I'm exploring new repertoire (Pierné Cydalise, Martinu Spalicek, Shostakovich The Golden Age. The excerpts are delighting me.

Appendix

Jokers/Wildcards:

Wagner - Rienzi Ballettmusik
Gounod - Faust Musique de ballet
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: North Star on August 23, 2018, 11:19:01 PM
Bartók - The Miraculous Mandarin
Debussy - Jeux
Prokofiev - Romeo & Juliet
Ravel - Daphnis
Schnittke - Peer Gynt
Stravinsky - Petrushka, Rite of Spring, Pulcinella, Apollo, Agon
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: NikF on August 24, 2018, 11:51:17 AM
I don't enjoy making lists and so the following are those which first came to mind in a generally positive way.

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: Apollo
Stravinsky: Agon
Henze: Ondine
Karayev: The Seven Beauties
Bartok: Miraculous Mandarin
Milhaud: Le Train Bleu
de Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat
Shostakovich: The Golden Age

And a mention for the 1970s Neumeier ballet 'Lady of the Camellias' using the music of Chopin.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 24, 2018, 12:56:03 PM
New List:

Melikov: A Legend of Love
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
Vaughan Williams: Old King Cole
Holst: The Perfect Fool
Amirov: The Arabian Nights
Bliss: Adam Zero
Bliss:Miracle in the Gorbals
Lambert: Horoscope
Gliere: The Bronze Horsman
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: NikF on August 24, 2018, 01:06:33 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 24, 2018, 12:56:03 PM
New List:

Melikov: A Legend of Love
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
Vaughan Williams: Old King Cole
Holst: The Perfect Fool
Amirov: The Arabian Nights
Bliss: Adam Zero
Bliss:Miracle in the Gorbals
Lambert: Horoscope
Gliere: The Bronze Horsman

I have a recording (on Naxos) of that, but I'd like to see the ballet - if only because I spent the first few years of my life living there.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Draško on August 25, 2018, 08:24:59 AM
Quote from: NikF on August 24, 2018, 11:51:17 AM

Milhaud: Le Train Bleu


Cool. I thought I was the only fan around here.  8)

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,15143.msg639127.html#msg639127
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: NikF on August 25, 2018, 08:56:14 AM
Quote from: Draško on August 25, 2018, 08:24:59 AM
Cool. I thought I was the only fan around here.  8)

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,15143.msg639127.html#msg639127

Yeah, for a number of reasons Le Train Bleu is very much my bag.

And that's a cool linked post.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 25, 2018, 03:32:21 PM
Should have included Glazunov's 'The Seasons'.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: NikF on August 25, 2018, 04:36:39 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 25, 2018, 03:32:21 PM
Should have included Glazunov's 'The Seasons'.

You can have the Glazunov if I can have the (Drigo?) pas de trois from  Die Puppenfee by Bayer.

http://www.youtube.com/v/3lduZ7Zsv8c
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: SymphonicAddict on August 25, 2018, 06:26:29 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 24, 2018, 12:56:03 PM
New List:

Melikov: A Legend of Love
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring
Vaughan Williams: Old King Cole
Holst: The Perfect Fool
Amirov: The Arabian Nights
Bliss: Adam Zero
Bliss:Miracle in the Gorbals
Lambert: Horoscope
Gliere: The Bronze Horsman

I'm intrigued by the Melikov and the Amirov. How are they, Jeffrey?

This is the interesting thing about the lists, you always find new suggestions and wide your musical spectre.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 26, 2018, 05:33:36 AM
Quote from: NikF on August 25, 2018, 04:36:39 PM
You can have the Glazunov if I can have the (Drigo?) pas de trois from  Die Puppenfee by Bayer.

http://www.youtube.com/v/3lduZ7Zsv8c
Ok you're on  8)
Although not my thread of course!
Kyle will have to give special permission!
:)
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Biffo on August 26, 2018, 06:21:24 AM
When I initially saw the thread title I thought I would be pushed to name more than 2 or 3 but seeing the postings reminded me how many ballets (including those from operas) I had in my collection and how varied they are, so here goes (in no particular order) -

Vaughan Williams - Job: A Masque for Dancing
Verdi: The Four Seasons (from 'Les Vepres siciliennes')
Wagner: Venusberg music from 'Tannhauser'
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
Berlioz: Royal Hunt and Storm (from 'Les Troyens')
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Ravel: Bolero
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Copland: Rodeo
Shostakovich: Bolt

No doubt some of the choices are a bit corny but they are the works I have listened to a lot, usually without thinking too much about the balletic action.

The Shostakovich is the only one I have on DVD. It is a production from the Bolshoi Ballet choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. I first saw it on television and had to buy the DVD. It is very inventive and often hilariously funny; the super-patriotic finale outstays its welcome but Ratmansky does his best with it.

I have the Decca box 'Fete du Ballet' - it has lots of colourful, tuneful music and I often dip into it for a bit of light relief.

Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on August 26, 2018, 11:24:39 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 24, 2013, 05:26:19 PM
Now this is something I can participate in and not complain about! ;) My 10 favorite ballets (in no particular order) and some no doubt will match Kyle's:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps
Shostakovich: The Golden Age
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariadne (but I could have gone just as easily with Le festin de l'araignée)
Prokofiev: Le pas d'acier
Ginastera: Estancia
Pierne: Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied
Schnittke: Peer Gynt
Copland: Dance Panels
W. Schuman: Undertow

I still feel this is a really strong list, but I'd probably make several changes to it now:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Stravinsky: Apollon musagète
Debussy: Jeux
Vaughan Williams: Job, A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Le pas d'acier
Copland: Appalachian Spring (esp. the chamber version)
Schnittke: Peer Gynt
Villa-Lobos: Gênesis
Chávez: La hija de Cólquide
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 26, 2018, 11:51:41 PM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on August 25, 2018, 06:26:29 PM
I'm intrigued by the Melikov and the Amirov. How are they, Jeffrey?

This is the interesting thing about the lists, you always find new suggestions and wide your musical spectre.
I think that as you enjoy Khachaturian's ballets you will find them of interest Cesar - they both have that exotic 'Eastern' quality about them.

If it works, here is a link to the opening of the Melikov which will give you a sense of the work:
https://youtu.be/pyw9n2py7ik

Here is the rather striking cover of the Melikov:
[asin]B00SSLUVP2[/asin]

I remember that Francis Wilson, the late head of Olympia Records, with whom I had some nice correspondence about their releases years ago, thought very highly of the Amirov score. Olympia released the work originally.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 27, 2018, 12:13:14 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 26, 2018, 11:24:39 AM
I still feel this is a really strong list, but I'd probably make several changes to it now:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Stravinsky: Apollon musagète
Debussy: Jeux
Vaughan Williams: Job, A Masque for Dancing
Prokofiev: Le pas d'acier
Copland: Appalachian Spring (esp. the chamber version)
Schnittke: Peer Gynt
Villa-Lobos: Gênesis
Chávez: La hija de Cólquide
I don't know the Chavez John - must investigate that one! I think that I should have including one of Copland's ballets, probably 'Rodeo' which I'd love to see live. V interesting list.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Mirror Image on August 27, 2018, 08:57:15 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 27, 2018, 12:13:14 AM
I don't know the Chavez John - must investigate that one! I think that I should have including one of Copland's ballets, probably 'Rodeo' which I'd love to see live. V interesting list.

Indeed, Jeffrey. I could have easily included Shostakovich's The Golden Age in my list, which I did in the first list I made. This is an awesome piece of music.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 27, 2018, 11:37:26 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 27, 2018, 08:57:15 AM
Indeed, Jeffrey. I could have easily included Shostakovich's The Golden Age in my list, which I did in the first list I made. This is an awesome piece of music.
Must give it another list John as I hardly know it.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: SymphonicAddict on August 28, 2018, 11:54:02 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on August 26, 2018, 11:51:41 PM
I think that as you enjoy Khachaturian's ballets you will find them of interest Cesar - they both have that exotic 'Eastern' quality about them.

If it works, here is a link to the opening of the Melikov which will give you a sense of the work:
https://youtu.be/pyw9n2py7ik

Here is the rather striking cover of the Melikov:
[asin]B00SSLUVP2[/asin]

I remember that Francis Wilson, the late head of Olympia Records, with whom I had some nice correspondence about their releases years ago, thought very highly of the Amirov score. Olympia released the work originally.

Many thanks for the reply, Jeffrey! The audio excerpt was enough to want to hear the rest. I'm a sucker for exotic oriental flavor in music.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on August 29, 2018, 05:47:41 AM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on August 28, 2018, 11:54:02 AM
Many thanks for the reply, Jeffrey! The audio excerpt was enough to want to hear the rest. I'm a sucker for exotic oriental flavor in music.
My pleasure Cesar. Yes, me too re: oriental music.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on September 15, 2018, 04:09:20 AM
The Sleeping Beauty
Josephslegende
Firebird
Golden Age
Romeo and Juliet
Nutcracker
Swan lake
Daphnis et Chloé
The Rite of Spring
Orpheus

Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on October 16, 2018, 12:43:51 AM
Quote from: Alberich on September 15, 2018, 04:09:20 AM
The Sleeping Beauty
Josephslegende
Firebird
Golden Age
Romeo and Juliet
Nutcracker
Swan lake
Daphnis et Chloé
The Rite of Spring
Orpheus
I recently listened to the Firebird having not done so for years and should probably have included it myself.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on October 16, 2018, 06:22:09 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 16, 2018, 12:43:51 AM
I recently listened to the Firebird having not done so for years and should probably have included it myself.

It is an exquisite work, Jeffrey! My favorite from Stravinsky, in fact.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Maestro267 on October 17, 2018, 02:26:41 AM
It must be said that my top 10 comes from an entirely musical point of view:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloe
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet
Schnittke - Peer Gynt
Bliss - Checkmate
Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane
Vaughan Williams - Job
Bartók - The Wooden Prince
Glière - The Red Poppy
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: vandermolen on October 19, 2018, 06:11:07 AM
Quote from: Maestro267 on October 17, 2018, 02:26:41 AM
It must be said that my top 10 comes from an entirely musical point of view:

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloe
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet
Schnittke - Peer Gynt
Bliss - Checkmate
Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane
Vaughan Williams - Job
Bartók - The Wooden Prince
Glière - The Red Poppy
Nice to see the Gliere get a mention.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Brian on October 22, 2018, 08:59:23 AM
Pronounced French theme to my list - especially a pronounced Diaghilev in Paris theme.

Falla - El sombrero de tres picos
Offenbach/Rosenthal - Gaîté parisienne
Pierné - Cydalise et le chèvre-pied
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet
Poulenc - Les biches
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Ravel - Ma mère l'oye
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane
Stravinsky - Petrushka
Tchaikovsky - Sleeping Beauty
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on March 29, 2021, 08:42:40 AM
Alfvén - Bergakungen
Bliss - Adam Zero
Falla - El sombrero de tres picos
Glazunov - The Seasons
Novák - Signorina Gioventú
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane
Stravinsky - L'oiseau de feu
Vaughan Williams - Job

Bonus: Arnold - Homage to the Queen, Ginastera - Estancia
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Symphonic Addict on July 19, 2023, 06:25:42 PM
Time for an update:

Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos
Glière: The Red Poppy
Khachaturian: Gayaneh
Poulenc: Les Animaux modèles
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
Shchedrin: The Little-Humpbacked Horse
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake
Tubin: Kratt
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on July 19, 2023, 07:16:05 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on July 19, 2023, 06:25:42 PMTime for an update:

Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin
Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos
Glière: The Red Poppy
Khachaturian: Gayaneh
Poulenc: Les Animaux modèles
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
Shchedrin: The Little-Humpbacked Horse
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake
Tubin: Kratt

The Poulenc and Shchedrin ballets were both great (relatively) recent discoveries of mine. I'm surprised how little-known the Poulenc is considering it's by a relatively famous composer - it's right up there with some of his best works IMO.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: atardecer on July 19, 2023, 08:27:00 PM
A lot of great works listed here. One I think gets overlooked is Stravinsky's Apollo. For me it is not just among my favorite ballets but among my favorite works in any genre by any composer. I think of all of his works this one perhaps most clearly demonstrates Stravinsky's harmonic mastery, how expressive he could be with subtle manipulation of dissonance.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Roasted Swan on July 20, 2023, 02:08:37 AM
Quote from: kyjo on July 19, 2023, 07:16:05 PMThe Poulenc and Shchedrin ballets were both great (relatively) recent discoveries of mine. I'm surprised how little-known the Poulenc is considering it's by a relatively famous composer - it's right up there with some of his best works IMO.

That is an excellent list.  The Poulenc I have the Dutoit recording but am not sure I know a note of it (it came as part of the orchestral works set) so I will have to rectify that.  Personally I'd swap Cinderella for R&J and (regretfully) Nutcracker for Swan Lake.  I'd have to find room for Checkmate and probably Appalachian Spring too.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 20, 2023, 02:57:37 AM
I'll update my old list a little:

Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker.
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet.
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé.
Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba.
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin.
Szymanowski: Harnasie.
Glazunov: The Seasons.
Falla: El amor brujo.
Title: Re: Top 10 Favorite Ballets
Post by: kyjo on July 20, 2023, 02:11:45 PM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on July 20, 2023, 02:08:37 AMThat is an excellent list.  The Poulenc I have the Dutoit recording but am not sure I know a note of it (it came as part of the orchestral works set) so I will have to rectify that.  Personally I'd swap Cinderella for R&J and (regretfully) Nutcracker for Swan Lake.  I'd have to find room for Checkmate and probably Appalachian Spring too.

The Dutoit recording of Les animaux modèles is only of the suite extracted from the ballet - definitely check out the full ballet, which has been recorded twice I believe (Latham-Koenig on AVIE and Bramwell Tovey on Chandos). The suite leaves out some wonderful music IIRC.