The Cellist; Dances at a Gathering [2021]

Dances at a gathering is simply divine, and what a cast. Simple setting and design, and dancers who really connect to ravishing solo piano. Then something modern. The Cellist. It's a tale of talented and tragic Jacqueline Du Pré whose career was cut short, still in her 20s, by illness. Lauren Cuthbertson is outstanding and Marcellino Sambe matches her as the spirit of her Cello. Matthew Bell dances the role of conductor, Daniel Barenboim, Du Pré's husband. The rest of the cast do sterling service as her family, friends, teachers and her audience but also have some symbolic roles to play, for example as a closet which I suspect is a metaphor for Du Pré's changing life as clothes are put away. Some of the choreography might be thought of as a bit modern but this ballet definitely repays repeated watching. Tbh I saw it live not expecting to like it very much. I found it intensely moving.

Several viewings of Dances at a Gathering does it justice as to how the choreography and the piano music by Chopin blend together. This work is for ten dancers and each piece involves different numbers of them, a mood and style until they all come together at the end. Each piece is a little gem which displays the brilliance of choreography and the dancing. Of particular note are the two pas de deux pieces danced by Marianela Nunez and Federico Bonelli. But each piece is danced to perfection by all the dancers that are involved. I have admired Cathy Marston for several years ever since she was a choreographer for Bern Ballet, but this, in my opinion, is her best work. She has captured the drama in the life of Jacqueline du Pre and has shown the events in her life that were important in her development that brought her fame as a world class musician. What a good idea to have the instrument, the cello, as a dancer and showing so well how Jacqueline interacted with it. Lauren Cuthbertson dancers the role of Jacqueline du Pre excellently displaying very good dancing and acting skills. These two works on one disc have been played several times already and is something to be treasured by someone who loves ballet.

What can I say. This kind of DVD is never cheap but worth every penny. The dancing was excellent. I was wrung out by the end of "The Cellist" I remember so well when Jacqueline du Pre died. Lauren Cuthbertson was amazing and brought back to me all the emotions of that time. Marcelino Sambe and Matthew Ball also excellent. Beautiful music, lovely filming. The Gathering also wonderful. Really brought out the emphasis that the Royal Ballet put on acting as well as dancing. No other company does it so well. All dancers a joy to watch.

I bought this for Dances at a Gathering. I remember seeing this at Covent Garden in the 70s and it was wonderful. The piece is still wonderful, but rather disappointingly danced on this dvd. It just all seems a bit flat... The casting also seemed a bit strange. There are recordings on youtube from the Paris Opera, and NYCB, which are much more exciting.

Good but too slowly. Sorry dancer are fantastic

Marvellous, Lauren Cuthbertson dancing. Couldn't be other. MJD