"Inthis rich interdisciplinary study Tim Scholl provides a provocative and timely re-evaluation of the development of ballet from the 1880s to the middle of the twentieth century. In the light of a thoughtful re-appraisal of dance classicism he locates the roots of modern ballet in the works of Marius Petipa, rather than in the much-celebrated choreographic experiements of Diaghilev's Ballet Russe. Not only is this the first book to present nineteenth- and twentieth-century ballet as a continuous rather than broken tradition, From Petipa to Balanchine places works such as Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Apollo and Jewels in their proper cultural and artistic context. The only English-language study to be based on the original Russian soures, this book will be essential reading for all dance scholars. Written in an engaging and elegant style it will also appeal to anyone interested in the history of ballet generally."
From North American reviews...
` ... in addition to its great value for setting Russian ballet in this thoroughly researched, historical context, Scholl's book is important for stirring up questions that need to be pondered. Dance history can use such constructive provocation.' - Dance Chronicle
'This book is a much welcomed addition to the growing collection of works which address the shortage of substantial investigative studies among the wealth of biographies, reminisences and picture books in dance history... This book should be very useful for dance history students, not only for its discussion regarding the intellectual progression of classical ballet but for the connections that Scholl presents between the world of dance and contemporary literary and artistic philosophies.' - Slavic Review
'Scholl writes with authority... This well-researched and well-written book may not appeal to the casual reader of dance history; it is highly scholarly... However, dance students, serious ballet enthusiasts, and scholars will find it enjoyable and useful. Highly recommended for all dance related collections.' - Choice
'This is an original and potentially controversial study of the evolution of modern ballet... Scholl's thesis is formulated from careful reading of key ballets... Based on extensive research of dance and the related arts during this period, this book offers intelligent and insightful analyses in sensitive, clearly written prose. Highly recommended for the serious dance collections.' - Library Journal
'This study is destined to inspire the kind of criticism that makes dance history an arena of lively and fascinating debate.' - Dance International...and from the British Isles:
'Scholl's book is not as revolutionary as he thinks... However, it is thought-provoking, and, for filling in another strand of the history of Russian arts in relation to ballet, it will prove useful.' - Dance Now
'The book is, of course, an example of American scholarship and one must charitably assume that Tim Scholl's experience of actual performances has largely been limited to what has been shown on the other side of the Atlantic.' - Mary Clarke [co-author of How to Enjoy Ballet], The Dancing Times
ISBN: 0-415-09222-1
Published
in English, First Published in the EU January 1994,
Second printing,
June 1994
Size: 192
pages, Dimensions: 234x156 mm 6.25x9.25 inches
US List Price:
$25.00; UK/European Community List Price: £25.00
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