When an orchestra performs Chopin, it becomes really obvious that no actual symphonic composer would ever use such themes. Really thin musical material and becomes grating super fast.
ABT should consider bringing this production back. It's very lively, with wonderful solos too ! Loved this broadcast as well. I only saw Bujones once at ABT (in Giselle) but he had great style and precision.
Curious. I found a page of Fokine's notes on the opening floor patterns and he had three more dancers on each side wing. I wonder if abt's choice of a smallee corp du ballet was budgetary, technical, or whatever. Given the location, not due to the size of the stage I guess.
The orchestration of the music is absolutely terrible and unnecessary, particularly Gregory's variation, which is ruined by Mons. Lanchbery taking Drigo's beautiful harp solo with pizzicato and transforming it into this sugary garbage. Jaffe's variation is the best with regards to orchestration, since fortunately it is in its original arrangement.
