[.ca] Suki Schorer on Balanchine Technique (ISBN 0813029775)

From Amazon.com:
George Balanchine, world-renowned choreographer and founder of the New York City Ballet, made a tremendous impact on the history of American dance by ushering in the era of neoclassical ballet defined by spartan costumes, technical wizardry, and a new musicality. No less important was his immense impact on generations of his dancers. Mr. B demanded an incredible commitment from his dancers, both physically and personally. Many became lifelong devotees with a continuing commitment to his ideas even after his death in 1983. Suki Schorer has dedicated her life to Mr. B's method of dancing. A former ballerina with the NYCB and currently a teacher of advanced students at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the NYCB, Schorer lives, breathes, and sleeps Balanchine's teachings. Balanchine dancers are instantly recognizable, as their technique differs rather significantly from that of other schools. With a teaching style that is her own (she is known for her unrelenting enthusiasm), Schorer translates what she learned from Mr. B for her students and readers of this book. In this technical manual aimed at advanced students and their teachers, Schorer peppers the ballet instruction with stories and anecdotes of her experiences with the great choreographer. The 415 pages and 700 black-and-white photographs of five NYCB dancers demonstrating the ballet instruction are a real testament to how much one has to learn before donning a black leotard and pink tights and dancing to Stravinsky. --J.P. Cohen

Thorough clear descriptions:
This book is exactly as the title states. It is technical book describing Balanchine technique. It's comprehensive and like the author states, for advanced students of ballet.My only gripe is I would have liked more pictures to match the written descriptions, but in truth, it's not something that was NEEDED. Ms. Schorer does explain very well in words what is taught in the studio.I'm not sorry I bought it, but I do not refer to it much for insight as to improving my own technique. Balanchine taught a very distinctive style and Ms. Schorer descibes it very clearly to the smallest detail.

Thorough clear descriptions:
This book is exactly as the title states. It is technical book describing Balanchine technique. It's comprehensive and like the author states, for advanced students of ballet.My only gripe is I would have liked more pictures to match the written descriptions, but in truth, it's not something that was NEEDED. Ms. Schorer does explain very well in words what is taught in the studio.I'm not sorry I bought it, but I do not refer to it much for insight as to improving my own technique. Balanchine taught a very distinctive style and Ms. Schorer descibes it very clearly to the smallest detail.

I've waited all my life for this book!:
Just terrific! Since there are so many schools of ballet, (Cechetti, Vaganova, french, Bournonville...),it's the first time there's a book telling you the difference between the Balanchine technique (much superior to me)and the old way of training,I found this book perfect for anyone interested in Ballet, you can learn so much by reading and the pictures are so beautiful that I framed some.Bravo!

An Invaluable Guide:
This book is a comprehensive look at George Balanchine's ballet technique. Balanchine himself thought that he would be remembered more for his teaching than his choreography and Schorer does an excellent job in detailing the technique that he molded for New York City Ballet. The book covers Barre Work, Upper Body, Pointework and Related Releve, Jumps, as well as a section you rarely see covered in a technique book, Partnering. Every exercise is clearly described both in words and with a photograph, and Schorer often includes analogies and other teaching tools that she uses to get her students to understand the particular quality of a movement. This book is an invaluable source of information about ballet technique whether or not you subscribe to what is know as "Balanchine Technique." I also highly recommend reading "Pointework," also by Schorer, as well as watching the three "Balanchine Essays" videos, where Schorer herself instructs New York City Ballet dancer Merrill Ashley and three students in the areas of Arabesque, Passe and Attitude, and Port de Bras.

A Wonderful Book:
This book shows the technique that the ballet master, George Balanchine, wanted his dancers to use to be the best dancers they could possibly be. Being a dancer, I found this book to be quite fascinating, but, you don't have to be a dancer to enjoy it. Even if you get bored with reading, the photographs will certainly captue your intrest.