Tutus, Tights and Tiptoes: Ballet History as It Ought to Be Taught - Softcover

Barber, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0920151302 ISBN 13: 9780920151303

Publisher: Sound And Vision, 2000

Synopsis

In his latest book, Tutus, Tights and Tiptoes, popular music historian and humorist David W. Barber casts a wicked, witty and insightful eye at the history of ballet from its earliest beginnings in the French court to its later heights in such classics as Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' and 'Swan Lake' and more recent scandals such as the premiere of Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring,' which shocked audiences and caused a riot in the seats. Although ballet is the main focus, the author also touches on other forms of dance, from Morris dancing to modern jazz dancing (but he'll probably refrain from saying much if anything about country-and-western line dancing because, well, the less said the better).

And who better than David Barber to serve as your musical guide to the world of all this jumping around? His seven previous books of musical humor -- including the hugely popular Bach, Beethoven and the Boys and the recent Tenors, Tantrums and Trills and Better Than It Sounds -- have sold more than a quarter of a million copies worldwide and have made him a household name in musical circles to join the ranks of Gerard Hoffnung, Anna Russell and P.D.Q. Bach. Barber's witty yet informative approach to music history and musical terminology has helped take the stuffing out of the stuffed shirts of the classical music world.

About this title

About the Author:

David Barber is a journalist, author, composer and performer who lives and works in Toronto. Dave Donald works as an art director for a Toronto-based national magazine.

From Library Journal:

Musical humor writer Barber (Bach, Beethoven and the Boys) here directs his attention to the world of ballet. With a breezy style, he flies through the ages, from early humans to the present day, in a mere 94 pages. Barber's strengths include his use of ballet terms and the citing of various dances (e.g., the courante or the gavotte). He also discusses performances by famous ballet dancers throughout history. Chapter titles such as "Tutu Much," "The Agony of De-Feet," and "Rotten to the Corps" give a sense of the book's spirit. Cartoonist Donald's simple illustrations are interspersed throughout, and an extensive index provides quick, very general ballet information. This light, humorous work about ballet is fun to read. Recommended for general and topical collections.DBarbara Kundanis, Batavia P.L., IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sound And Vision
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0920151302
• ISBN 13: 9780920151303
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 136
• Illustrator: Donald Dave