Antal Dorati & Les Ballets Russes at Music Hills.com

Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): I. Introduction
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): II. Scene
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): III. Waltz
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): IV. Polka
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): V. Waltz
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ?Â¨re): VI. Entrance of the hussar
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ?Â¨re): VII. Mazurka
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ?Â¨re): VIII. Scene of the comedians
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ?Â¨re): IX. Blue Danube waltz
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): X. Mazurka
Le Beau Danube (The Blue/Beautiful Danube), ballet (Strauss works arr. by DesormiÃ¨re): XI. Finale
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: I. Opening Scherzo - entry and dance of the princess
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: II. Ensemble
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: III. Lamento (Dance of the prince)
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: IV. Grande Valse
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: V. The Hundred Kisses
Les Cent Baisers, ballet suite: VI. Entry of the King and closing scene
Cotillon, ballet based on music by Chabrier: I. La Toilette (Menuet Pompeux, orch. Rieti)
Cotillon, ballet based on music by Chabrier: II. Danse des Chapeaux (Scherzo-Valse, orch. Chabrier)
Cotillon, ballet based on music by Chabrier: III. Les mains du destin (Idylle, orch. Chabrier)
Cotillon, ballet based on music by Chabrier: IV. Grand rond et final (Danse Villageoise, orch. Chabrier)
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: I. LeÃ§on
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: II. Menuet
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: III. Larghetto
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: IV. Rondo
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: V. Dispute
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: VI. Presto
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: VII. Pastorale
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: VIII. Danse Allemande
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: IX. Scene du Notaire
Work(s): Scuola di Ballo: X. Finale

Music reviews of Antal Dorati & Les Ballets Russes

Music Review: Nights at the ballet in the 1930s.
Rating: 5 Stars

Of special interest is the one act ballet "The Hundred Kisses" provided by eclectic composer and wealthy impresario Baron Frederic d'Erlanger in 1935. Evocative, colorful and brilliantly orchestrated, it suggests perhaps a more cosmopolitan Eric Coates. My Australian pressings of the original recordings credit the performance to the London Philharmonic Orchestra, but on this CD the London Symphony is named.

The other ballets derive from music of earlier times, and receive virtuoso performances here under Dorati's direction. Kingsway Hall acoustics enhance the sound quality, especially in the d'Erlanger ballet, although less so in two of the other recordings, and "Le beau Danube" was recorded in Abbey Road Studio, London. A scholarly history of the ballet scene in the 1930s is provided by Dr Arthur Zimmerman.