Life Behind the Metaphor: Rudolf Nureyev and the Dutch National Ballet
Rudolf Nureyev leaps off the pages in this stunning collection of 80 black-and-white photographs from a 15-year period during which he toured the United States with the Dutch National Ballet (DNB). Drawn from the archives of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the pictures chronicle the legendary dancer in such ballets asLe Corsaire, Four Schumann Pieces,andAfternoon of a Faun.Van Dantzig (former artistic director, DNB) allowed Urban to photograph Nureyev and company members on and off stage, and because Nureyev's contracts prohibited performance photos, many of these images are not only unique but also rare. In this coffee-table art book, the photographs are printed on archival-quality paper, and the text includes comments from van Dantzig, Nureyev, and Urban. Anyone who saw Nureyev dance will relive the experience with these photographs; those who didn't will wish they had. Highly recommended for dance and performing arts collections.—Carolyn M. Mulac, Chicago P.L.--Library JournalThe Dutch National Ballet arrived in the United States in the summer of 1978 with the brightest of all guest stars, Rudolf Nureyev. As the luggage came off the carousel, artistic director Rudi van Dantzig felt a tap on his shoulder and an earnest young American named Roger Urban talked his way into photographing the company's tour. The idea forLife Behind the Metaphorwas born.The black-and-white photos that appear in this collection have never been published. Rehearsal shots of the company, moments between Nureyev and van Dantzig, and blockbuster performances ofLe Corsaireand Toer van Schayk'sAfternoon of a Faunhave the distinction of being personally approved by the man himself. While Nureyev inevitably shines with his glorious ballon and charismatic looks, his sound bites are also pungent. Among other gems, there's Nureyev insisting that the photographer never crop out the stage floor from under his soaring jeté. His quotations also reveal periods of darkness and his tumultuous relationship with van Dantzig.Equally remarkable is van Dantzig's unaffected prose. His musings on being airborne are framed by shots of dancers soaring off a diving board, arms out-stretched, toes pointed.All proceeds of this beautifully produced book go to benefit The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dance Division.—Kina Poon--Dance MagazineFor that crazed balletomane in your life, this stunning photography book, with text by Rudi van Dantzig and Roger Urban and photos by the latter is a stellar collector s item. --Time Out New York