Shchedrin - The Little Humpbacked Horse / Maya Plisetskaya

I have watched this ballet many times, especially certain segments of it, and never fail to enjoy it. Please don't be put off by the fact that there are moments of narration in this ballet, it is most definitely worth seeing. One has to remember that it was filmed as entertainment for the Russian viewing audience which included enjoyment for children as well as adults. The narration is tastefully done in that it quickly describes a full sequence of events at the beginning of an act or scene and then says no more for the duration of the act or scene. It's understandable that this would certainly be annoying to anyone seeking to simply listen to the music, but this is a NOT a Music CD, it is a Ballet DVD. The option of inserting subtitles would be a detraction for viewers who desire to watch the dancers' performances, especially since most subtitles get inserted over the dancers' legs and feet. Also keep in mind that this ballet was performed in the early sixties before the emphasis on dancer flexibility and extension had become the norm in ballet for both female and male dancers. In fact, Maya Pleisetskaya's first performances in the west (once the Russian Government finally allowed her to tour outside of Russia) stunned audiences with her fluid style and she was a key contributor in the shift to newer ballet techniques as other dancers tried to emulate her. (She was about 36 when this was filmed and she's still going strong.) Some of the scenes, especially those at the beginning before the hero, "Ivan", acquires his magic "horse", are geared to the younger audience, but beyond that this ballet is very noteworthy. Watch for Maya Pleisetskaya's outstanding musicality, her amazing mastery of dance mime to express her character's emotions, and her obvious love for and mastery of her art. The mime arts of the pompous "King", the scheming "Stable Master", and the King's "Courtiers" are also outstanding. Any serious dance student seeking to learn ballet mime will do well to get this DVD. The whole gamut of human emotion is expressed in dance mime on this DVD. Also, watch for Natalya Toborko, another famous and talented Russian ballerina, who dances the part of the "Queen of the Sea" with some amazing lifts and some very fast turns and jumps that are lovely. Her entire underwater scene is well done and also sports some excellent, yet remarkably simple costumes, used to create anemones, schooling fish, jelly fish, etc. Indeed, many of the costumes in this ballet are very creative and anyone looking for fresh ideas to costume dancers (as I have done), will benefit by giving a serious second look at the underwater costumes and the costumes for the birds in the "Realm of the Queen Maiden". Relax and watch this ballet for its intended entertainment factor with the childlike enthusiasm of one hearing a fairy tale for the first time. I think you will enjoy it.

Since no-one else is dancing this ballet, one wonders where else one would find a copy of it on any medium? Folks disregard the low marks from the 1 star reviewer, and don't be afraid to invest in this ballet, with music by Maya Plisetskaya's husband, Rodion Shchedrin, who wrote and dedicated the music for this ballet to her. Read the review by Expressive Dance Mom, on this listing of Humpbacked Horse, and her comment to the 1 star reviewer. Her remarks are right on. I think you can believe her.I too, think the Little Humpbacked Horse is a very good ballet with some remarkable dancing from the principles. Yes, it's a bit childish, and the animation is a bit crude, but you probably won't find many children complaining about those aspects about it. And, as reviewer, Expressive Dance Mom seems quite enthusiastic about the ballet, most adults won't complain either. Very little of the music is damaged by the voice-overs, and you get to hear some very good music by Shchredrin. If you don't know him, (I didn't when I first started looking for Maya Plisetskaya on DVD), for goodness sake get a copy of their Carmen Suite too. His re-arraingement of Bizet's Carmen is fabulous. You won't believe what he did with only strings and five percussionists...... Shchedrin - Carmen Suite / Maya Plistetskaya .....Another thing folks, If you really want to know about this great ballerina, get her autobiography.... I, Maya Plisetskaya ....And don't be afraid of buying used copies, especially the hardback copies. I found one for less than $10.00 in excellent condition, with many photos. The photo of her on the White House steps w/JFK is one of the saddest faces (hers) I have ever seen. You will understand that sadness after you read about her life in the Soviet Russia. To have been a Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Bolshoi, she was badly mistreated. Some of that mistreatment was still going on when this ballet was being born. She really caught hell over Carmen Suite. Read about it.I know many of you want good ballets for your children. The reason I know, is because of the number of yes votes I have recieved on my review of Snow White.... Aragón: Snow White (ballet) .... Lots of those votes are coming from people looking for ballets for their children. Buy this ballet for your children. They will love it, and you will too, and HEY, get Snow White too.....Richard.

Far more than fulfilled expectations: It's a superb showcase for Plisetskaya's radiance, charm, her beauty of face and figure, her technical perfection and strength and her possibly unique dramatic gifts, displayed here in what is effectively and most unusual for her, a comedy role. Vasilev dances with true Russian bravura, Scherbinina is a delightful and sexy little not-humpbacked horse, the underwater sequence is a genuinely funny as well as glamorous romp despite hopeless animation, and everybody lives happily ever after except the goofy king, who is boiled alive. This sequence must have appealed to the Muscovite audience in Stalin's day. Fun for all the family and a priceless opportunity to see the supreme ballerina in one of her most engaging and unfamiliar roles.

Great Story. Introduction to Ballet for some.James, WW 2 vet

Much as I wanted to see Plisetskaya and the Bolshoi dance "The Humpbacked Horse," this version was definitely not the way to experience it. I already loved Shchedrin's score before buying, some years ago, a VHS of this Kultur release now on DVD. Imagine my horror on discovering that Shchedrin's music is drowned out by a voice-over commentary. It's a disservice to one of Russia's most talented composers. Why on earth the commentary couldn't have been provided in titles below the screen is beyond me.