George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker

George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker (Eminent Lives)

by Robert Gottlieb

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	283 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages

FREE

By Joan Acocella

George Balanchine was one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century. His work is characterized by its athleticism, precision, and musicality. Balanchine's ballets are often abstract, but they are also full of emotion and human drama.

In this biography, acclaimed dance critic Joan Acocella explores Balanchine's life and work, from his early years in Russia to his groundbreaking achievements in America. Acocella paints a vivid portrait of Balanchine as a driven and demanding artist, but also as a warm and generous mentor. She explores the sources of Balanchine's inspiration, from classical ballet to jazz and popular culture. And she traces the evolution of his style, from his early ballets to his masterpieces of the 1950s and 1960s.

George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the greatest choreographers of all time.

Early Life and Training

George Balanchine was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1904. His father was a composer, and his mother was a dancer. Balanchine began studying ballet at the age of seven, and he quickly showed a remarkable talent. In 1921, he joined the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the leading ballet companies in the world.

Balanchine's early training was in the classical Russian style. He learned the basic steps and positions of ballet, as well as the principles of musicality and stagecraft. Balanchine was also influenced by the work of Michel Fokine, a leading choreographer of the early 20th century. Fokine's ballets were often more experimental and abstract than the traditional classical ballets, and they inspired Balanchine to explore new possibilities in choreography.

Career in America

In 1924, Balanchine left Russia and moved to the United States. He joined the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, a touring company that was founded by Sergei Diaghilev. Balanchine quickly became one of the company's leading choreographers, and he created some of his most famous ballets during this time, including "Serenade" (1934) and "The Four Temperaments" (1946).

In 1948, Balanchine co-founded the New York City Ballet with Lincoln Kirstein. The New York City Ballet quickly became one of the leading ballet companies in the world, and Balanchine remained its artistic director until his death in 1983. Balanchine created over 400 ballets for the New York City Ballet, and he also choreographed for other companies, including the Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet.

Balanchine's Style

Balanchine's ballets are characterized by their athleticism, precision, and musicality. Balanchine's dancers are often required to perform complex and demanding steps, but they do so with an effortless grace and fluidity. Balanchine's ballets are also known for their use of music. Balanchine often collaborated with composers, and he was able to create ballets that perfectly captured the mood and rhythm of the music.

Balanchine's ballets are often abstract, but they are also full of emotion and human drama. Balanchine was able to create ballets that explored a wide range of human emotions, from love and joy to sadness and despair. His ballets are often set to classical music, but he also used jazz and popular music in his work.

Legacy

George Balanchine is considered one of the greatest choreographers of all time. His ballets are performed by companies around the world, and they continue to inspire and delight audiences. Balanchine's legacy also includes the New York City Ballet, which he helped to found and which remains one of the leading ballet companies in the world.

George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the greatest choreographers of all time. Joan Acocella's biography is a must-read for anyone interested in dance, music, or the history of the performing arts.

George Balanchine: The Ballet Maker (Eminent Lives)

by Robert Gottlieb

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	283 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages

FREE