"In Balanchine's Classroom"
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, George Balanchine (1904-1983) is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. He came to 'The United States' in 1933 at age 29, at the invitation of the young American arts patron Lincoln Kirstein (1907-96), whose great passions included the dream of creating a ballet company in America. At Balanchine's behest, Kirstein was also prepared to support the formation of an American academy of ballet that would rival the long-established schools of Europe. 'The School Of American Ballet' was founded in 1934. Several ballet companies directed by the two were created and dissolved in the years that followed, while Balanchine found other outlets for his choreography. Eventually, with a performance in 1948 at 'New York City Center', 'The New York City Ballet' was born. Balanchine.served as 'Ballet Master' and principal choreographer from 1948 until his death in 1983. Embracing television, Balanchine staged many of his ballets and created new work especially for the medium. In 1981 he redesigned his 'L'Enfant Et Les Sortilèges' to include a wide range of special effects, including animation. Through television, millions of people have been able to see 'The New York City Ballet'. 'Choreography By Balanchine', a five-part 'Dance In America' presentation on the 'PBS' series 'Great Performances', began in December 1977. Balanchine.traveled to Nashville.with 'the company for the tapings in 1977 and 1978 and personally supervised every shot, in some cases revising steps or angles for greater effectiveness on screen.
The series was widely applauded by critics and audiences all over the country and nominated for an 'Emmy' award, Balanchine also choreographed for film, opera, and musical theater. Among his best-known dances for the stage is 'Slaughter On Tenth Avenue'. As his reputation grew, he was the recipient of much official recognition. In the spring of 1975, 'The Entertainment Hall Of Fame' in 'Hollywood' inducted Balanchine as a member, in a nationally televised special by Gene Kelly. He joined the ranks of such show business luminaries as Fred Astaire, Walt Disney, and Bob Hope. The same year, he received 'The French Légion D'Honneur'. The last major award Balanchine received--in absentia--was 'The Presidential Medal Of Freedom' in 1983 by President Reagan, the highest honor that can be conferred on a civilian in 'The United States'. He has inspired millions with his stage choreography and amazed a diverse population through his talents. On April 30, 1983, 'George Balanchine' died in New York at the age of 79.
This documentary is about the groundbreaking choreographer George Balanchine. There's a profound bond between Balanchine and his dancer-disciples. What's transpired in that classroom, off limits to anyone outside 'New York City Ballet', is important. Why did Balanchine teach and not just choreograph? How did his class relate to his ballets? What was it that he sought from his already proficient dancers? Why wouldn't they talk about it? A series of interviews with former Balanchine dancers open up about the phenomenon of Balanchine's teaching. His unorthodox methods. The extremes. The charged atmosphere. His unrelenting presence. As each dancer travels back in time to the creative whirlwind of 'The Balanchine Era', they re live the lessons he teaches about dance and beyond; those 'a-ha' moments when resistance gives way to surrender and a super-intelligence tales over. Balanchine's class is more than just a metaphor for life. It's life itself, short, fleeting, intense, with rewards in proportion to one's engagement and dedication. It's, in essence, the artist's journey, a subject rarely tackled in film.
The greatest choreographer of our time, George Balanchine is responsible for the successful fusion of modern concepts with older ideas of classical ballet. A major artistic figure of the twentieth century, Balanchine revolutionized the look of classical ballet. Taking classicism as his base, he heightened, quickened, expanded, streamlined, and even inverted the fundamentals of the 400-year-old language of academic dance. This had an inestimable influence on the growth of dance in America. At first his style seemed particularly suited to the energy and speed of 'American' dancers, especially those he trained, but now his ballets are performed by all major classical ballet companies throughout the world. This film will thrill anyone interested in the intensity of the master-disciple relationship and all who love dance, music, and the creative process.
Written by Gregory Mann.
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