Name: Great Performances: The Magic of Nureyev
Uploaded: 2025-04-04T15:02:33+00:00
Duration: 3224 s
Description: Experience Rudolf Nureyev’s revolutionary 1964 production of "Swan Lake" with ballerina Margot Fonteyn through extensive excerpts and interviews with their fellow dancers Michael Birkmeyer, Gisela Cech and others as they analyze Nureyev’s virtuosity.

The Magic of Nureyev

53m 44s

Experience Rudolf Nureyev’s revolutionary 1964 production of "Swan Lake" with ballerina Margot Fonteyn through extensive excerpts and interviews with their fellow dancers Michael Birkmeyer, Gisela Cech and others as they analyze Nureyev’s virtuosity.

Episodes
Extras + Features
Schedule

The Magic of Nureyev

S52 E10 - 53m 44s

Experience Rudolf Nureyev’s revolutionary 1964 production of "Swan Lake" with ballerina Margot Fonteyn through extensive excerpts and interviews with their fellow dancers Michael Birkmeyer, Gisela Cech and others as they analyze Nureyev’s virtuosity.
Now Hear This “Chopin’s Polish Heart”

S52 E9 - 53m 54s

Follow Scott Yoo and pianist Jan Lisiecki as they explore Chopin’s life, his Polish roots, and his journey to Paris taking a closer look at the composer's musical evolution and his deep connection to his homeland while living in France.
Andrea Bocelli 30th – The Celebration

S52 E7 - 1h 23m

Experience the world-renowned Italian tenor’s 30th anniversary concert from Tuscany featuring global superstars Ed Sheeran, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Sofia Carson, Brian May, Jon Batiste and more. Directed by Grammy nominee and Emmy winner Sam Wrench.
Movies for Grownups® Awards 2025 with AARP The Magazine

S52 E6 - 1h 53m

Iconic and beloved screen and stage performer Alan Cumming returns as host for this awards show in which Glenn Close receives the Career Achievement Award.
Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl

S52 E4 - 1h 15m

Celebrate the centennial birthday of composer Henry Mancini with Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, saxophonist Dave Koz, Monica Mancini and host Jeff Goldblum featuring Mancini’s signature songs and clips from his beloved movies and TV shows.
Patsy Cline: Walkin' After Midnight

S52 E3 - 1h 23m

Experience the music of the legendary Patsy Cline in a star-studded tribute concert from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium featuring Wynonna, Beverly D'Angelo, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Wilson, Ashley McBryde and many more.
Land of Gold

S52 E2 - 1h 13m

Explore Peter Sellars' San Francisco Opera production of John Adams' "Girls of the Golden West" set during Gold Rush. Go behind the scenes with cast members Julia Bullock, J'Nai Bridges and others as they bring the show to life on stage.
Émigré: A Musical Drama with the NY Phil

S52 E1 - 1h 44m

Enjoy this semi-staged oratorio with the New York Philharmonic and an international cast telling the story of Jewish refugees in World War II Shanghai set to music by Aaron Zigman with lyrics by Mark Campbell and additional lyrics by Brock Walsh.

Now Hear This “Rachmaninoff Reborn” Preview

S52 E13 - 30s

Follow Rachmaninoff’s journey from a Russian aristocrat to an American artist after the Bolshevik revolution. Forced to rebuild at 44, he embraced modern technology, toured extensively and reinvented his career while longing for his lost homeland.
Now Hear This “Boccherini: Night Music” Preview

S52 E12 - 30s

Join Scott Yoo and musicians on a night tour of Madrid to uncover Boccherini’s deep love for the city and learn how his iconic "Night Music of the Streets of Madrid" was inspired by his time in Spain, blending history and the pulse of the streets.
Boccherini's Love Letter to Madrid

S52 E12 - 5m 10s

Boccherini's love for Madrid inspired him to write "Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid." Scott Yoo tries his hand at playing this famously difficult piece.
Boccherini's Experimental Cello Compositions

S52 E12 - 4m 56s

Luigi Boccherini dared to question what range the cello could play in his cello quintet, Op. 20, No. 4.
Erin Morley performs "Les oiseaux dans la charmille"

S52 E11 - 2m 14s

Erin Morley performs "Les oiseaux dans la charmille," Olympia’s Act I aria from "Les Contes d'Hoffmann."
Great Performances at the Met: Les Contes d’Hoffmann Preview

S52 E11 - 30s

Benjamin Bernheim performs the title role of the tormented poet for Offenbach’s final work. Hoffmann’s trio of lovers are sung by Erin Morley as the mechanical doll Olympia, Pretty Yende as the plagued diva Antonia, and Clémentine Margaine as the Venetian seductress Giulietta.
The Magic of Nureyev Preview

S52 E10 - 30s

Experience Rudolf Nureyev’s revolutionary 1964 production of "Swan Lake" with ballerina Margot Fonteyn through extensive excerpts and interviews with their fellow dancers Michael Birkmeyer, Gisela Cech and others as they analyze Nureyev’s virtuosity.
Nureyev in Russia

S52 E10 - 2m 17s

At 23, Nureyev fled his homeland of Russia to escape persecution for being gay. The first Russian dancer to seek freedom in the West, Nureyev suddenly found himself become an international icon.
Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn

S52 E10 - 5m 6s

In Vienna, Rudolf Nureyev shared the stage with legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn in "Swan Lake." In this clip, watch an excerpt from the ballet.
Rudolf Nureyev Performs in Swan Lake

S52 E10 - 2m 28s

A 26-year-old Rudolf Nureyev performs in Swan Lake.
First 10 Minutes of Now Hear This "Chopin"

S52 E9 - 9m 28s

Explore the life and works of famed polish composer Frédéric Chopin in this clip from the first episode of Now Hear This Season 6, Now Hear This "Chopin's Polish Heart."
Now Hear this Season 6 Preview

S52 E9 - 30s

Journey to Poland to understand Chopin's Polish heart, head to Spain to enjoy Boccherini's night music, explore the legacy of Rachmaninoff and then learn how Barrios emerged as the greatest guitar composer of the 20th century.

Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Friday
Apr 18

9:00 pm

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Friday
Apr 18

9:00 pm

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Friday
Apr 18

10:00 pm

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Friday
Apr 18

10:00 pm

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Saturday
Apr 19

2:00 am

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Saturday
Apr 19

3:00 am

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Saturday
Apr 19

3:00 am

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Saturday
Apr 19

4:00 am

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Sunday
Apr 20

1:00 pm

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Monday
Apr 21

4:00 am

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Monday
Apr 21

4:00 am

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Monday
Apr 21

5:00 am

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Monday
Apr 21

5:00 am

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Monday
Apr 21

2:00 pm

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

The Magic of Spirituals

Monday
Apr 21

3:00 pm

1 Hour

The behind-the-scenes story of Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman's concert of spirituals at Carnegie Hall on March 18, 1990.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Boccherini: Night Music

Monday
Apr 21

4:00 pm

1 Hour

Musicians take an all night walking tour of Madrid to better understand how the city inspired Boccherini's music.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Rachmaninoff Reborn

Friday
Apr 25

9:00 pm

1 Hour

At the age of 44, Rachmaninoff changes careers, embracing modern technology and reinventing himself as a modern American artist.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Rachmaninoff Reborn

Friday
Apr 25

9:00 pm

1 Hour

At the age of 44, Rachmaninoff changes careers, embracing modern technology and reinventing himself as a modern American artist.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Rachmaninoff Reborn

Saturday
Apr 26

2:00 am

1 Hour

At the age of 44, Rachmaninoff changes careers, embracing modern technology and reinventing himself as a modern American artist.
Image

Great Performances

Now Hear This: Rachmaninoff Reborn

Saturday
Apr 26

3:00 am

1 Hour

At the age of 44, Rachmaninoff changes careers, embracing modern technology and reinventing himself as a modern American artist.

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