4 replies to this topic

[Sherellen]

This is one of my favorite ballets. Unfortunately, I had a ticket to the Guggenheim performance which was cancelled due to a flood in the theater. If anyone attended on Monday night, I would like to know who the performers were and what you thought of the presentation. What was said regarding Stravinsky's music and the choreography?

[Alexandra]

Sherellen, I'm going to move this to the Balanchine Centennial forum, because I think more people who may have attended will see it there. (I know several of them were flooded out, too.)

[carbro]

I was there Monday, and I'm sorry for the Sunday ticket-holders who were flooded out.

The dancers for Aria 1 were Sofiane Sylve and Jared Angle; for Aria 2 Janie Taylor and Stephen Hanna. It was interesting that while coaching Sylve in her role, von Aroldingen kept encouraging her to stretch out her movement, resist the urge to rush, to remember that she was dancing to a violin (as opposed to the percussive piano). Martins, on the other hand, stood clapping out the beat for the second couple.

Seeing each original couple reunite in movement was delightful. Bonnefoux and von Aroldingen, especially, seemed to revert to another time and place, with much private meaning in exchanged glances.

Martins helped explain a very difficult partnering maneuver where the woman rotates on pointe into a developpe. He told Taylor to do nothing -- it was hard enough for her to just stay up on pointe -- while Hanna did all the work. Sure enough, once she stopped "helping," it went smoothly.

I liked both couples very much and hope to see them realize these roles this season (although Violin casts have not been announced yet), especially Taylor, who has a strange and appealing combination of sinew and vulnerability. (I expect that she'll be a memorable Sleepwalker some day.)

Among the anecdotes, Martins and Mazzo recalled Balanchine's explanation of the moment near the end of their pas when the man, right behind the woman, sweeps his upturned hand across an arc. He recalled that he was about to take some time off to make a guest appearance -- something that B'chine disliked. So during the next rehearsal when that moment came up, B'chine said, "You're asking for money! Everyone's always asking for money!"

For the run-through after the coaching sessions, pianist Nancy McDill was joined by a wonderful young violinist, Miranda Cuckson.

[Sherellen]

Thanks, Carbro, for the information on the lecture/demonstration. Does anyone have any information on the symposium to be held in September at the Manhattan School of Music? I think it might be a similar presentation of Stravinsky Violin Concerto and maybe Concerto Barocco.

[Anthony_NYC]

Thanks, Carbro, for the information on the lecture/demonstration.  Does anyone have any information on the symposium to be held in September at the Manhattan School of Music?  I think it might be a similar presentation of Stravinsky Violin Concerto and maybe Concerto Barocco.

It's later than September, I believe. What I've heard is that there will be a screening of "Music Dances" in October, and then a lecture/demonstration of Stravinsky Violin Concerto and possibly Agon (not Concerto Barocco as originally announced) in November. No idea who, exactly, will be involved in all this.