Nijinsky: A Life of Genius and Madness

Do yourself a favor. Crack open this book to pages 256-57 and read:"The London season ended on Saturday, 9 December 1911, with Karsavina and Nijinsky dancing 'Carnival', 'Les Sylphides', 'Le Spectre de la rose' and 'Scheherazade' -- some evening!"After the first three ballets, there had been 'thunderous applause', but on this electric evening the drama of 'Scheherazade' almost overwhelmed the spectators . . ."There was a pause, then came the roar from the gallery like a boom of a distant gun . . ."The audience from the front row of the stalls to the dark mass of enthusiasts standing at the back of the gallery applauded, cheered, and waved handkerchiefs for fully twenty minutes."Of course, there's more to the story. Much more. Indeed, the whole book is worth reading -- cover to cover -- every single page. But first! I wanted to show you the view from the top of Mount Nijinsky @ pp. 256-57.This book will take you up that mountain -- hover -- then gently bring you back home.Your guide -- your Sherpa -- is the best in the business : Richard Buckle.PS: Did I misplace the true summit of Mount Nijinsky? Was the true summit really in London on 9 December 1911, as described above (pp. 256-57)? Or was the true summit actually in Paris on 29 May 1913, at the premiere of 'Le Sacre du pretemps' (pp. 346-63)?In a flash the answer comes to me. The wisdom of King Solomon! Two women claimed the same baby. Which one was the true mother? King Solomon offered to give each woman half a baby. The woman who said, "No! Give the whole baby to the other woman," was the true mother.Here, the question is which of two mountaintops is the true summit of Mount Nijinsky? The answer to that question depends on who is the true Nijinsky: Nijinsky the dancer? or Nijinsky the choreographer?I'm no King Solomon, but my gut tells me that the true Nijinsky was a dancer -- not a choreographer.Choreography be damned! Choreography came into Nijinsky's mind as an adult. But dancing was in his blood from the very beginning of his life. He was born to dance. Lived to dance. Loved to dance -- leaping high in the air, pausing up there, disappearing, leaving us gasping, wondering, dreaming . . . to this very day.So, yes, indeed, Nijinsky's summit AS A CHOREOGRAPHER may very well have been the premiere of 'Le Sacre du pretemps' in Paris on 29 May 1913 (pp. 346-63). But! more important!! -- much more important!!! -- was Nijinsky's summit AS A DANCER in his performance with Tamara Karsavina in London on 9 December 1911 (pp. 256-57).

I’ve gotten interested in Nijinsky, and this book has the reputation of being the best biography. Very slow-going; DENSE. But it seems to cover everything!

I wanted to read about Nijinsky's life, especially his relationship with Diaghilev and his battle with schizophrenia. Instead, I read a adriotly written account of the early days of Ballets Russes. Buckle's descriptions of scenery, costumes and ballet are as vivid as they are erudite. I learned so much.With such characters as Mata Hari, Isadora Duncan, Stravinsky and Ravel, one would expect some tawdry details of the artists who shared the stage with the great Nijinsky. Nothing doing! Even the love affair between Nijinsky and Diaghilev is left to innuendo and subscript.I have since ordered Nijinsky's diary, hoping to quench my thirst for more about the artist and less about the art.

The book jacket was torn in several places and the inside cover had the name of the past owner written on it. However, those were the only two flaws. Otherwise the book was in excellent condition and the person I sent it to as a gift is quite pleased with it.

Interesting read about a rich era in the history of dance. Unfortunately the Kindle version is missing almost all the many, many photos that are listed in the table of contents. Very disappointing and the advertising for the Kindle version should have stated this up front.

Nijinsky begins in an engaging way with the tale of his mother taking him to audition with the Bolshoi.However, as it progresses, it gets rather bogged down with the various personalities and the performancesand loses something of the personal--the man and his developing self.However, I need to read more and will have a better review with more time.

The subject is indeed a great artist with an amazing ability and grace. The work is a bit laborious to wade through having spots that would be better shortened so the reader like myself doesn't skip or skim. Perhaps my reading is at fault. Great research however.

liked it

wonderful condition,splendid service,all is well thank you ever so much,brian,

Fab book.

Great book, great service.

Nijinsky creó un parteaguas en la historia del ballet, siendo la figura principal de los ballets rusos bajo el liderazgo y protección del empresario Diaghilev

Gives a wonderful, detailed account of the life of Nijinsky, as well as the era he lived in.