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A review by rpmiller
Nijinsky: A Life by Lucy Moore
3.0
I was reading, and transcribing, family letters recently and noticed references to Nijinski (sic) in October and November 1935. The first was about Ballet Russe performing in Indianapolis in December. The letter writer had read a book, probably the one by Romola Nijinsky published in 1934 - ' I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world, especially after reading “Nijinski”. Have you read it? You must. It's the most fascinating reading I have run across for a long time.' The second was about a play "Faun" -'The Civic Theater opens the 23rd, with the original play “Faun” written by Charles Milholland, a local youth who wrote “Twentieth Century”. He also plays the lead. This play is based on the life of my adored “Nijinsky” the very famous Russian dancer who lost his mind.' The title of the play is also part of the title of a Nijinski ballet. Both of these letters were from the same person to my great uncle, a playwright, director and actor, who had friends in theater locally and in NYC.
Anyway, I have a slight interest in ballet, at least in Indiana and IU in Bloomington or the Indy Ballet company, and maybe soon in Cincinnati since I live near there these days. This particular book was available as an ebook (I don't like dealing with physical books, especially storage, these days).
The book was a little dry in some ways, but I was fascinated to learn that ballet, even in France, had fallen out of favor by the end of the 19th century. The Ballet Russe seemed to have revitalized ballet in Paris and London, and maybe brought professional ballet to America. Nijinsky, both as dancer and choreographer, was a major reason for the resurgence of ballet as a form of theater art. There was some slight mention of George Balanchine, whose method is popular in ballet today, at least in Indiana.
The intrigues of the ballet world during Nijinsky's involvement in the 1910s, and in St Petersburg before that time were presented in an interesting way, for me. In fact, characters from other art formats were also mentioned in their relationship to the period and innovation. These mentions included Picasso and Stravinsky, in particular, both artist I admire.
The parts about Nijinsky's mental state and diagnosis had me thinking about other things, genius in particular. For example, Bobby Fischer mental problems in later life after becoming the first American world chess champion (defeating a Russian, coincidentally). There are many other such examples. Well these thoughts went further off track into the issue of individuality versus society, and consciousness itself (another couple of my interests). Needless to say, I enjoyed the book, even if my enjoyment was not completely related to the content.
Anyway, I have a slight interest in ballet, at least in Indiana and IU in Bloomington or the Indy Ballet company, and maybe soon in Cincinnati since I live near there these days. This particular book was available as an ebook (I don't like dealing with physical books, especially storage, these days).
The book was a little dry in some ways, but I was fascinated to learn that ballet, even in France, had fallen out of favor by the end of the 19th century. The Ballet Russe seemed to have revitalized ballet in Paris and London, and maybe brought professional ballet to America. Nijinsky, both as dancer and choreographer, was a major reason for the resurgence of ballet as a form of theater art. There was some slight mention of George Balanchine, whose method is popular in ballet today, at least in Indiana.
The intrigues of the ballet world during Nijinsky's involvement in the 1910s, and in St Petersburg before that time were presented in an interesting way, for me. In fact, characters from other art formats were also mentioned in their relationship to the period and innovation. These mentions included Picasso and Stravinsky, in particular, both artist I admire.
The parts about Nijinsky's mental state and diagnosis had me thinking about other things, genius in particular. For example, Bobby Fischer mental problems in later life after becoming the first American world chess champion (defeating a Russian, coincidentally). There are many other such examples. Well these thoughts went further off track into the issue of individuality versus society, and consciousness itself (another couple of my interests). Needless to say, I enjoyed the book, even if my enjoyment was not completely related to the content.