This ballet film is
an example of how good is the DVD medium
for this kind of art. My only regret
is that at present I do not own a plasma
screen as I am sure that this disc will
look absolutely superb on it. Still
it is pretty impressive on a conventional
T.V.
The film is split into
8 individual scenes, 6 of them danced
to pre-recorded music, all composed
by Arvo Pärt, and any fan of this
composer is likely to have one or more
of these tracks in his or her collection.
The remaining two sections (start and
finish) are flute solos by Huang Sheng-Kai.
Each of the dances
is a miraculous gentle movement in time
to the Part scores and I found these
scenes very moving. There is only one
exception to this and this is Scene
6, where the choreography, obviously
to insert some variety into the proceedings
has the dancers whirling around at a
fast tempo when the music is still and
very slow moving I thought that this
was a slight miscalculation, not everyone,
I am sure will feel the same way.
The concept behind
the ballet is based upon the almost
mystical influence of bamboo on the
Chinese psyche. The bamboo forest is
a magical place, peopled by female spirits
who are there to comfort and support
the soul of the lost person.
This mystical effect
is enhanced by the presence of the flute
solos which start and end the ballet
they have an eerie effect which is
enhanced once the ballet proper gets
under way. According to the choreographer,
Lin Hwai-Win, he has used the stories
about the Bamboo forest throughout the
seasons to produce a series of scenes
that attempt to picture atmosphere rather
than a series of actions which need
to be choreographed.
The dancers are superb.
The extra programme which is on the
DVD shows them meditating before the
performance and such is the commitment
of the dancers, that it is often difficult
to tell the principals and corps de
ballet apart. One gets the impression
that any of the dancers, (principals
or otherwise) would each be able to
dance any of the parts. The company
thus appears to be superbly integrated.
This is not a traditional
ballet, as you might be able to imagine,
and if you approach it with an open
mind, I am convinced that you will be
enchanted.
The sets are all very
simple, and back and front lighting
is used to very impressive effect. The
Director of the proceedings, Ross MacGibbon,
was concerned about the techniques to
be used in filming this ballet in allowing
the grace and beauty to be able to be
displayed. He has done this by placing
the cameras in various placed around
the stage so that different angles on
the performers can be shown.
I do urge you to see
this production it is visually stunning,
danced superbly by all, and the music
is wonderful. This is a fusion of eastern
and western dance techniques, and I
havent seen better.
John Phillips
ARTHAUS
MUSIK 100 378 [63 minutes plus 25 minutes
extras] 