Giants of Art & Culture - Mikhail Baryshnikov
Gr 5-8-One of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, Baryshnikov is revealed as a complex, somewhat solitary, and restless spirit whose personal life has been as complicated and volatile as his professional life. Glassman covers his subject's childhood, his emergence as a star in Leningrad's Kirov Ballet Company, his defection to the West, and his dazzling career with the American Ballet Theatre as well as other creative endeavors. Some of the behind-the-scenes jealousies, rivalries, and politics that occur in famous companies are exposed. The author also touches on Baryshnikov's often-tumultuous personal relationships. For those readers with some knowledge about well-known ballets, the information on how critics reviewed them or how Baryshnikov chose to interpret them provides unique insights into the world of dance. However, those unfamiliar with Swan Lake, Giselle, or other more contemporary works may not be able to appreciate the full importance of these interpretations within the dance world. This is a readable and balanced portrait of Baryshnikov. Many of the black-and-white photos are disappointingly dark, but a few of them do capture this dancer's extraordinary artistry.Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.