Unedited footage filmed at several performances; includes both wide and close shots. The sequences do not appear in order, and there are repetitions. Paul Taylor's modern dance work Book of Beasts contains nine sections: I, Foreword (to music by Schubert); II, Phoenix (Weber); III, Squonk (Saint-Saëns); IV, Rock creature (Mozart); V, Pictograms (Schubert); VI, Deity (Beethoven); VII, Ladies and gentlemen (Boccherini); VIII, Demon (Falla); IX, Footnotes (Tchaikovsky). Portraying the Illuminations (a role usually taken by Paul Taylor), Rudolf Nureyev danced a series of fanciful creatures. In order of appearance on this film, he portrays: the white-clad dancer of section IX, Footnotes -- the green Rock creature (IV) -- the brown-furred Squonk (III) -- Rock creature -- the Deity (VI), in blue cape -- the Demon (VIII), in black and dark blue -- dancer, Footnotes -- the orange-plumed bag creature in I, Foreword -- Phoenix (II), in gold and orange -- Squonk -- Rock creature -- Deity -- Demon -- creature, Foreword -- Phoenix. Sections V, Pictograms, and VII, Ladies and gentlemen, are danced by members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Donor/Sponsor
Gift of the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation.
Series statement
Rudolf Nureyev Collection
Uniform title
Book of beasts (Choreographic work : Taylor)
Genre/Form
Dance.
Video.
Call number
*MGZIDF 10131
Access (note)
Patrons can access streaming video file online only at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits (note)
Costumes, John Rawlings ; lighting, Jennifer Tipton.
Performer (note)
Rudolf Nureyev (Illuminations); members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company (Text).
Event (note)
Filmed in performance, probably in Mexico in July 1972; film documentation, Wallace Potts.
Title
Book of beasts [excerpts] [electronic resource] / Paul Taylor Dance Company ; choreography by Paul Taylor.
Imprint
1972.
Series
Rudolf Nureyev Collection
Event
Filmed in performance, probably in Mexico in July 1972; film documentation, Wallace Potts.
Credits
Costumes, John Rawlings ; lighting, Jennifer Tipton.
Performer
Danced by Rudolf Nureyev (guest artist) with the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Cast
Rudolf Nureyev (Illuminations); members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company (Text).
Restricted access
Patrons can access streaming video file online only at the Library for the Performing Arts.