Book Review : Apollo's Angels

  Ok, so I'm finally going to take this book reporting seriously. So here is my first entry, Apollo's Angels by Jennifer Homans. My grandmother, Momsey, got this for me when she went to Manila.

  This book really unfolded the whole story of Ballet. From when it started, to it's slow decline into the modern days of our 21st century. The book was very detailed in describing the great choreographers and Ballet pioneers,  including, even, their personal lives, and how it affected their work. The author divided the chapters according to places. Not time. This is helpful if you want to know how ballet evolved in a certain place; Ms. Homans did chapters on the ballet in , France, Italy, Denmark, England, and America. Before I realized this, I was getting a little confused with the time frame but I figured it out after reading the chapter titles... Call me slow, I know :P


  I found the chapter of France in the Romantic period, and Russian Ballet, intriguing. I did skip most of the first chapter, though, which was about the very beginning of Ballet; court entertainment in Italy, and as an elaborate means to show reverence to the 'Sun King'. I was excited to get to the more recent Ballet and see some familiar names like the legends Pavlova, Plisetskaya, and Fonteyn among others, all of whose performing styles, Ms. Homans describes in detail. :)


  I recommend this book to anyone who likes history, art, and to the scholarly dancer. It is a book balletomanes will have conversations about. And one dancers will learn much from.

Ballet In The Media

  Dad took us to Kinokuniya Bookstore in Takashimaya yesterday. My little sister Allegra pointed out a book to me. On the cover was a black tutu-clad ballerina bending down.The title, Various Positions on her butt :|


  What is the world coming to? I mean, with books like this and movies like Black Swan, everyones going to think that ballerinas and danseurs are total maniacs [Well you won't know what I'm talking about untill you read it too] @_@ I only read the first few pages (and the back and side flaps) of the book so I won't do any criticizing. It was a page-turner, in fairness :)


  It's  a book about growing up and choices but it's not a book a parent, at least, my parents [I think] would get me. Well, I still have Apollo's Angels and The Ballet Companion sitting on my shelf. Oh plus, this cool book my Mom got me; Dance Anatomy. It shows the muscles used in some dance moves :) She suggested I make it part of my Science for this year :D Homeschooling!

British Ballet

  Am in probably the most exciting part of  Jennifer Homans' Apollo's Angels; "The British Moment" which is about, of course, ballet in England. This is where our dear Margot Fonteyn, Covent Garden, and the Royal Ballet come in.
  I think my mom enjoyed the movie last night, despite it's tragic end, because she asked if I had any more ballet movies to watch. I read about Moira Shearer starring in The Red Shoes just toady and I suggested we watch that :) We haven't finished it yet though...
  This is great timing :D Very fitting to watch while reading "The British Moment" :P

  I learned, today, that the reason for the scarcity for boys in ballet is because of the WAR!!! Would you believe?! Speaking of which, there's an audition for boys in Locsin's. Guys have to present a two minute solo. I don't have the schedule though... Just call (63 82) 227-4753 :)) or visit The Locsin Dance Workshop, 89 Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City 8000, Philippines ^_^

P.S. Saw some friends from R.A.D. today :)

Holiday Reading

  Hey everybody! I hope your Christmas was great! ^_^ I didn't get any Ballet related presents but my holiday was still sweet :)
  I'm finally reading Apollo's Angels now after abandoning it when I went through that weird depression thing while I was taking medication for my foot...long story O_O I can't believe I did that. I skipped the Louise the XVI parts and went straight to Chapter 4: Romantic Illusions and the Rise of the Ballerina, which concentrates on French writers of the 1800 and Marie Taglioni, our dearest Pointe-pioneer XD
  Am suddenly interested in La Sylphide and am surprised by how it actually started. At that time France was, apparently, into the supernatural and ethereal stuff so the ballet was a major hit...
  The choreography has a lot of weightless-looking steps and jumps. I'm not really the jumping type of gal but it's still cute. I noticed the music is kind of pleasant if you don't look at the eerie stage set ^_^

Evgenia Obraztsova and Leonid Sarafanov in La Sylphide

Weekend Reading List

  My grandmother came home from her vacation in Bangkok yesterday. She got us so many presents clothes, shoes, fruits, and books. Yes, books. She got me "Apollo's Angels" by Jennifer Homans and an issue of Dancespirit Magazine.  Can't wait till the weekend, when I can devour them page per page... You know, I'm supposed to be doing a report on Parenchyma Tissue for biology right now. Just saying...:P
  My mom is reading "Apollo's Angels" while I'm still busy. I hope it will broaden her understanding of the art form :P...

  Looking forward to the weekend...