Saturday Matinee

Sorry about the lack of posts, it has been pretty crazy lately. In addition to an intermission in the SF Ballet’s performance schedule, I had a big deadline for a fellowship application last week. Since then, I’ve lost all motivation to do any work. In addition, it’s been one of those weeks where I keep on repeating experiments because I kept making stupid mistakes. Thankfully I made it to ballet class tonight, which helped clear my head (although it didn’t prevent me from grabbing someone else’s (thankfully, a friend’s) sweater on the way out). I really don’t like adagio, but we had a fun petite allegro combination that ended the class on an upbeat note.

Previously, listening to jazz music worked for helping me study for finals. This time, I relied on dance videos during the hours of writing and typing on my computer for my felllowship application. I found that the combination of good music with the freedom to lift my head and watch Angel Corella’s slave solo in Le Corsaire, highly satisfying – it tricked me into thinking that I was relaxing and working at the same time. I highly commend the narration given by the dancers in explaining the serpentine plot in ABT’s Le Corsaire in sharp contrast to Caroline Kennedy’s bland narration of ABT’s Swan Lake, complete with Julie Kent’s dry sarcastic take, Angel Corella’s adorably honest encouragement for the viewer to be sure not to miss his dancing, and general confusion over the validity of the plot. Other videos in my repertoire included Mark Morris’ Mozart Dances and his Hard Nut, in addition to ABT’s Giselle with the stunning Carla Fracci and stiff Erik Bruhn.

I also caught NYCB’s ex-principal Jock Soto’s documentary on PBS, Water Flowing Together, thanks to Philip‘s recommendation that it was airing on TV. I couldn’t multitask while watching this, as it commanded by complete rapt attention. My favorite part was watching his rehearsal with Wendy Whelan in Wheeldon’s After the Rain pas de deux, one of my favorite pieces this season at SF Ballet. I loved Tan and Smith dance it in San Francisco, yet there is always something special about watching the original cast perform it. Soto dances with such moving depth that completely encompasses his being, it was riveting to watch, even during rehearsals. I’m sure that’s one of the pieces that Whelan’s reluctant to dance again without Soto in the company. Jock Soto is probably one of those dancers that will never be replaced; he is so unique, from his unorthodox build to his partnering ability (a highly undervalued skill in ballet) with emotional and almost spiritual depth as he dances. It was a great documentary.

Jock Soto and Wendy Whelan in Wheeldon’s After the Rain

On a random note: my friend’s cat got claw covers that happened to match my nails. Just had to share, the picture came out blurry because the cat was en route somewhere else, crossing over my lap, and wouldn’t stand still.