Twe Bimnt of Bauusry-Rvdets—By Prince Peter Hoven. "Translated.
uy Earine. Allen & Unwin, London, Prine Peter Hoven has given in this book a comprehensive and fascinating history of the birth and development of the Russian Ballet, og istinet from. the lassie ballets' of the Imperial Ballet Schools of Russia, Beginning from the early efforts of group of young enthusiasts, who styled themselves "The " Piekwlek-Jans," under "the leadership Diaghiteff, and including such per~ sonalities as Benols and Leo 'Bakst, the author takes us step. by step through the whole of development until the realization of the "dream is "attained in Paris. in 3900, where the "Ballets Russes" frst saw' the light (having been ostractz= ed in Russia owing to the opposition of the Imperial Classic Ballet). and goon acquired a world-wide reputa-ton, The author shows a _profotind knowledge of his subject. The book full of very. Interesting technical information about the various schools of dancing in Russia as well other countries, and, last but "not least, the different styles. of music Which have been. used "for ballets. The reader will "lid delightful sketches of old favourites tke Niinah 8k, Pavlov: Karsavina, Fokine, He will get fascinating glimpses of great composers, suchos -'Tehalkovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Debussy, Stravine Ravel and Strauss, and of their contributions to this form of art He will also learn the inner story of the production of such works as "Petrushka," Sheherazada" and many others, Written in an easy, flowing style, the book reads like a novel and should "appeal not only to the bale otomane and the musician but also fo the layman, and it loses nothin in Mr. L, Zatine's very able English
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.