Product Description

Written with wit, insight, and candor, Balanchine is a book that will delight lovers of biography as well as those with a special interest in dance. For this edition the author has added a thoughtful yet dramatic account of the working out of Balanchine's legacy, from the making of his controversial will to the present day. The author explores the intriguing legal, financial, and institutional subplots that unfolded after the death of the greatest choreographer of the century, but the central plot of his epilogue is the aesthetic issue: In the absence of their creator, can the ballets retain their wondrous vitality? Taper illuminates the fascinating transmission of Balanchine's masterworks from one generation to another, an unprecented legacy in the history of ballet, that most evanescent of the arts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #283910 in Books
• Published on: 1996-11-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 458 pages

From The Washington Post
"The most readable and reliable introduction to the sphinxlike Russian who inspired his own brand of balletomania from the Diaghilev era to the present day."

Review
"Balanchine emerges a unique compendium of fact, quotation, and interview. . . . Future biographers will have a difficult time matching Taper's compassion, coherence, and class." -- Allan Ulrich, San Francisco Examiner

About the Author
Bernard Taper is Emeritus Professor of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley.

Customer Reviews

One of my favorite books!!
Taper's Balanchine biography is one of the best books I have ever read! It combines the biographical information with personal accounts and stories that really give you the feeling of getting to know the amazing George Balanchine. Some may have read other books, like Gelsey Kirkland's "Dancing on my Grave", that give a bad impression of Mr. Balanchine, but I promise if you read this book, you will have a change of heart. Although no biography can be completely free of bias, this author describes Mr. Balanchine in a truly honest and real way. I really do feel like I know Mr. Balanchine and I promise that if you read this incredible book, you will too

Tough but Good Read
This is no easy, inspirational biography. It really goes in depth. But you finish thinking you understand this enigmatic man about as well as possible.

If you like or are curious about Balanchine, READ THIS BOOK!

The best Balanchine's biography!
I've so happy I bought this book, it's a pleasure to read. I'm a long time ballet fan, but I would stronly recommend this book for anyone who is interested about ballet, you can learn so much reading it!