DVD Videos

One of the most exciting choreographers on the modern dance scene today, Hans van Manen’s work is characterised by a supreme musicality and striking versatility. Danced to music by Tchaikovsky, Janacek, Stravinsky, Mascagni and Massenet, Black Cake includes some wonderfully funny sequences.

The multi-award-winning dance film Amelia (2002) explores the use of point technique using extended intertwining solos, complex partnering sequences and extreme speed to generate powerful performances with unexpected moments of tender emotion and serenity.

Lock uses intricate choreography for both camera and dancers, creating amazing and constantly shifting points of view. Trademark performances, brilliant and relentless, combined with the delicate sensual lighting of André Turpin and the minimalist environment of a giant wooden box with rounded forms that seems to have no exit, create a disturbingly exquisite and moving experience.

The original score, written by David Lang for violin, cello, piano and voice, combines evocative minimalism with lyrics from five of Lou Reed's most famous works, created in the 60s for the Velvet Underground.

Regarded as the "Father of American ballet," and having created 425 works, George Balanchine is often considered to be the foremost choreographer of the 20th century.<br><br>In this documentary film, Balanchine celebrates his artistry and pays tribute to the themes of his ballets. Through rare archival audio and video footage, interviews, film, and photographs, the programme traces Balanchine's life from his youth at the Mariinsky Theatre, through his work for Hollywood and Broadway, to his creation of the New York City Ballet. It also examines his thoughts on dance, using interviews with the choreographer himself, and features selections from many of his ballets, including Chaconne, Agon, Symphony in C, Apollo, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Western Symphony, among others.

Limón (1908-1972) was a Mexican-American choreographer who continues to be regarded as one of the modern dance world’s seminal creative artists, known for his intense dramatic presence and the theatricality and musicality of his dances. Here for the first time on video are three of his most famous works with the original casts, filmed in their entirety for the CBC in the 1950s.

Maria Tallchief has long been recognized as one of the most accomplished American-trained dancers of her time. Her superb technique, combined with an innate musicality, lent a strong presence to her appearances, most particularly to the many major roles created for her by George Balanchine.

Tallchief made five guest appearances on the Bell Telephone Hour. Her partners included an appropriately starry assemblage of leading male dancers. The excerpts, ranging from the cool neoclassicism of Balanchine’s Allegro brillante to John Butler’s ardent Romeo and Juliet pas de deux, amply demonstrate the extraordinary versatility of this truly great American ballerina.