This week, City Ballet The Podcast wraps up the 22-23 Season with Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, who celebrate a year of discovery, change, and renewal. Highlights include a powerful corps de ballet, shaped in part through the growing culture of mentorship throughout the Company; Justin Peck’s momentous new work, Copland Dance Episodes; the return to international tours, including a wildly successful visit to Spain; and more. With performances beginning in just over three months, Stafford and Whelan share what they are most looking forward to in the coming 75th Anniversary year. (23:05) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48 (1880) by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky

This week, City Ballet The Podcast wraps up the 22-23 Season with Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, who celebrate a year of discovery, change, and renewal. Highlights include a powerful corps de ballet, shaped in part through the growing culture of mentorship throughout the Company; Justin Peck’s momentous new work, Copland Dance Episodes; the return to international tours, including a wildly successful visit to Spain; and more. With performances beginning in just over three months, Stafford and Whelan share what they are most looking forward to in the coming 75th Anniversary year. (23:05) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48 (1880) by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky

Episode 94: Bonus: 22-23 Season Wrap-Up

It’s time for the annual Ask the Dancers episode of The Rosin Box! Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz are joined by Corps de Ballet Member Meaghan Dutton-O’Hara to dig into questions submitted by listeners, from strategies for learning new choreography to secrets for staying motivated all season long. Listen in to find out what it’s like to work alongside dancers who’ve known each other since childhood and which step Meaghan describes as “delicious.” (54:07) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

It’s time for the annual Ask the Dancers episode of The Rosin Box! Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz are joined by Corps de Ballet Member Meaghan Dutton-O’Hara to dig into questions submitted by listeners, from strategies for learning new choreography to secrets for staying motivated all season long. Listen in to find out what it’s like to work alongside dancers who’ve known each other since childhood and which step Meaghan describes as “delicious.” (54:07) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

Episode 93: The Rosin Box: Ask the Dancers

This week, Soloist Olivia MacKinnon joins Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz at The Rosin Box to talk all things social media. Olivia shares how time away from the stage during the pandemic inspired her to pursue an amped up presence on Instagram, and the group discusses the importance of taking everything on social media with a grain of salt, while embracing the possibilities for new connections and opportunities. (37:19) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

This week, Soloist Olivia MacKinnon joins Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz at The Rosin Box to talk all things social media. Olivia shares how time away from the stage during the pandemic inspired her to pursue an amped up presence on Instagram, and the group discusses the importance of taking everything on social media with a grain of salt, while embracing the possibilities for new connections and opportunities. (37:19) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

Episode 92: The Rosin Box: Ballet in the Age of Social Media

Aarón Sanz is back from NYCB’s first tour in Madrid to join fellow host Claire Kretzschmar and guest Sean Suozzi for a chat around The Rosin Box. Suozzi, a former Soloist with Company, shares how his focus shifted to filmmaking, from his role as an Executive Producer on the 2010 film NY Export: Opus Jazz to his recent projects as a director, including 2019’s Sleeping Beauty trailer. He describes the creative process behind latest directorial effort for NYCB, the 75th Anniversary film, which will premiere this August. (47:23) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

Aarón Sanz is back from NYCB’s first tour in Madrid to join fellow host Claire Kretzschmar and guest Sean Suozzi for a chat around The Rosin Box. Suozzi, a former Soloist with Company, shares how his focus shifted to filmmaking, from his role as an Executive Producer on the 2010 film NY Export: Opus Jazz to his recent projects as a director, including 2019’s Sleeping Beauty trailer. He describes the creative process behind latest directorial effort for NYCB, the 75th Anniversary film, which will premiere this August. (47:23) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records

Episode 91: The Rosin Box: Dance on Film with Sean Suozzi

This week’s episode features a special live presentation of See the Music, hosted by Associate Music Director Andrews Sill and Resident Conductor Clotilde Otranto. With a little help from the New York City Ballet Orchestra, they explore the combination of old and new, romantic and acrobatic in Igor Stravinsky’s commissioned score for George Balanchine’s Agon. As Otranto notes, Agon displays Stravinsky’s creativity in “full bloom.” (10:39) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky  All music performed by New York City Ballet Orchestra

This week’s episode features a special live presentation of See the Music, hosted by Associate Music Director Andrews Sill and Resident Conductor Clotilde Otranto. With a little help from the New York City Ballet Orchestra, they explore the combination of old and new, romantic and acrobatic in Igor Stravinsky’s commissioned score for George Balanchine’s Agon. As Otranto notes, Agon displays Stravinsky’s creativity in “full bloom.” (10:39) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky All music performed by New York City Ballet Orchestra

Episode 90: See the Music Live: Agon

Christopher Wheeldon

Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back with another New Combinations episode, chatting with long-time friend, former ballet partner, and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. He describes his journey from Royal Ballet dancer to New York City Ballet to Broadway and back again, with first new work for the Company in six years premiering on May 4. As Wheeldon shares, the “turbulent beauty” of artist Kylie Manning’s work was a major inspiration in the studio as he wrestled with the Schoenberg score; their collaboration, along with that of the dancers, helped bring From You Within Me to the stage. (43:24)  Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back with another New Combinations episode, chatting with long-time friend, former ballet partner, and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. He describes his journey from Royal Ballet dancer to New York City Ballet to Broadway and back again, with first new work for the Company in six years premiering on May 4. As Wheeldon shares, the “turbulent beauty” of artist Kylie Manning’s work was a major inspiration in the studio as he wrestled with the Schoenberg score; their collaboration, along with that of the dancers, helped bring From You Within Me to the stage. (43:24)  Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Episode 89: New Combinations: Christopher Wheeldon

Allegra Kent

Our special two-part episode of Hear the Dance continues with former Principal Dancers Allegra Kent and Jared Angle exploring Kent’s career at New York City Ballet, zeroing in on two key roles: the Sleepwalker in La Sonnambula, and the lead in Agon. Kent shares that she was coached extensively by Balanchine for La Sonnambula—the first ballet Kent saw onstage, and immediately fell in love with—but perhaps learned most from an impromptu session with originating dancer Alexandra Danilova at a bus stop. Beginning as an understudy for Principal Dancer Diana Adams, Kent performed Agon, which she describes as “astonishing,” with Arthur Mitchell and other partners for many years. (41:47) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky Based on themes from operas by Vincenzo Bellini, including La Sonnambula, Il Puritani, Norma and I Capuleti e i Montecchi (1830-1835) by Vittorio Rieti The Unanswered Question (1908) by Charles Ives Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

Our special two-part episode of Hear the Dance continues with former Principal Dancers Allegra Kent and Jared Angle exploring Kent’s career at New York City Ballet, zeroing in on two key roles: the Sleepwalker in La Sonnambula, and the lead in Agon. Kent shares that she was coached extensively by Balanchine for La Sonnambula—the first ballet Kent saw onstage, and immediately fell in love with—but perhaps learned most from an impromptu session with originating dancer Alexandra Danilova at a bus stop. Beginning as an understudy for Principal Dancer Diana Adams, Kent performed Agon, which she describes as “astonishing,” with Arthur Mitchell and other partners for many years. (41:47) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky Based on themes from operas by Vincenzo Bellini, including La Sonnambula, Il Puritani, Norma and I Capuleti e i Montecchi (1830-1835) by Vittorio Rieti The Unanswered Question (1908) by Charles Ives Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

Episode 88: Hear the Dance: Allegra Kent (Part 2)

In part one of this week’s special Hear the Dance episode, legendary former Principal Dancer Allegra Kent joins host and fellow former Principal Jared Angle to discuss her beginnings as a dancer. From joining Bronislava Najinska's intermediate class full of GIs fresh from World War II at the age of 11, to entering the School of American Ballet at 14, to premiering in the corps of Symphony in C as an apprentice a year later, Kent describes the whirlwind of her early years with the Company—capped off with the first featured role created for her: that of the lead in Balanchine’s The Unanswered Question from Ivesiana. (40:37) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky Based on themes from operas by Vincenzo Bellini, including La Sonnambula, Il Puritani, Norma and I Capuleti e i Montecchi (1830-1835) by Vittorio Rieti The Unanswered Question (1908) by Charles Ives Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra 

In part one of this week’s special Hear the Dance episode, legendary former Principal Dancer Allegra Kent joins host and fellow former Principal Jared Angle to discuss her beginnings as a dancer. From joining Bronislava Najinska's intermediate class full of GIs fresh from World War II at the age of 11, to entering the School of American Ballet at 14, to premiering in the corps of Symphony in C as an apprentice a year later, Kent describes the whirlwind of her early years with the Company—capped off with the first featured role created for her: that of the lead in Balanchine’s The Unanswered Question from Ivesiana. (40:37) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1953-56) by Igor Stravinsky Based on themes from operas by Vincenzo Bellini, including La Sonnambula, Il Puritani, Norma and I Capuleti e i Montecchi (1830-1835) by Vittorio Rieti The Unanswered Question (1908) by Charles Ives Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

Episode 87: Hear the Dance: Allegra Kent (Part 1)

Alysa Pires

Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back with another intimate and insightful New Combinations conversation. Choreographer Alysa Pires joins Wendy between rehearsals for her first NYCB stage commission, discussing her childhood and training in Canada, the uniquely collaborative relationship she has developed with composer Jack Frerer, and the challenges—and rewards—of balancing motherhood and her artistic career. Alysa says of her time with the Company so far that she is like the coloring book; "the way that that’s colored in, maybe going outside the lines here and there, is really up to the dancers.” (45:48)  Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music:  "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back with another intimate and insightful New Combinations conversation. Choreographer Alysa Pires joins Wendy between rehearsals for her first NYCB stage commission, discussing her childhood and training in Canada, the uniquely collaborative relationship she has developed with composer Jack Frerer, and the challenges—and rewards—of balancing motherhood and her artistic career. Alysa says of her time with the Company so far that she is like the coloring book; "the way that that’s colored in, maybe going outside the lines here and there, is really up to the dancers.” (45:48)  Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music:  "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Episode 86: New Combinations: Alysa Pires

For the latest See the Music episode, host and Associate Music Director Andrews Sill do-si-dos with George Balanchine’s Square Dance. Sills demonstrates with recordings of traditional square dance calls and excerpts from the Vivaldi and Corelli score the ways in which the fiddlers of the former connect with the solo violins of the latter, and how this 1957 ballet contributed to the choreographer’s efforts to build a trusting American audience for the classical art form. (15:14) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music:  Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky. Square Dance (1969) by Al Brundage Concerto Grosso in B Minor, op. 3, no. 10; Concerto Grosso in E Major, op. 3, no. 12 [first movement] by Antonio Vivaldi. Badinerie and Giga from Sarabanda, Badinerie, and Giga by Arcangelo Corelli.  Performed by New York City Ballet Orchestra.   Sarabanda, Giga e Badinerie (Suite for String Orchestra) by Ettore Pinelli (after Corelli). Performed by Zagrebački Solisti. Concerto in B minor, RV 580 by Antonio Vivaldi. Performed by I Solisti Italiani.

For the latest See the Music episode, host and Associate Music Director Andrews Sill do-si-dos with George Balanchine’s Square Dance. Sills demonstrates with recordings of traditional square dance calls and excerpts from the Vivaldi and Corelli score the ways in which the fiddlers of the former connect with the solo violins of the latter, and how this 1957 ballet contributed to the choreographer’s efforts to build a trusting American audience for the classical art form. (15:14) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music:  Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky. Square Dance (1969) by Al Brundage Concerto Grosso in B Minor, op. 3, no. 10; Concerto Grosso in E Major, op. 3, no. 12 [first movement] by Antonio Vivaldi. Badinerie and Giga from Sarabanda, Badinerie, and Giga by Arcangelo Corelli.  Performed by New York City Ballet Orchestra.  Sarabanda, Giga e Badinerie (Suite for String Orchestra) by Ettore Pinelli (after Corelli). Performed by Zagrebački Solisti. Concerto in B minor, RV 580 by Antonio Vivaldi. Performed by I Solisti Italiani.

Episode 85: See the Music: Square Dance

Welcome to City Ballet The Podcast, an exploration of New York City Ballet where we'll journey through our history, delve into our new and existing repertory, and reveal insider tidbits.Each season of City Ballet The Podcast features episodes that span three topics: New Combinations hosted by Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, Hear the Dance hosted by dance educator and former NYCB dancer Silas Farley, and See the Music hosted by Music Director Andrew Litton.

Really enjoy hearing NYCB dancers and staff discuss their work!

Wonderful podcast!!

Really enjoying these podcasts! Thank you!!!

Amanda Kofsky

Welcome to City Ballet The Podcast, an exploration of New York City Ballet where we'll journey through our history, delve into our new and existing repertory, and reveal insider tidbits. Each season of City Ballet The Podcast features episodes that span three topics: New Combinations hosted by Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, Hear the Dance hosted by dance educator and former NYCB dancer Silas Farley, and See the Music hosted by Music Director Andrew Litton.

City Ballet The Podcast

Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz delve into the Company’s dancer ranks in this episode of The Rosin Box. They get the full scoop on a dancer’s life at each level with Apprentices Cainan Weber and Savannah Durham, Senior Corps de Ballet Member Gretchen Smith, and Principal Dancer Russell Janzen. Plus, Claire and Aarón introduce a new segment where they answer questions submitted by listeners via Instagram Stories. (37:06) Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz delve into the Company’s dancer ranks in this episode of The Rosin Box. They get the full scoop on a dancer’s life at each level with Apprentices Cainan Weber and Savannah Durham, Senior Corps de Ballet Member Gretchen Smith, and Principal Dancer Russell Janzen. Plus, Claire and Aarón introduce a new segment where they answer questions submitted by listeners via Instagram Stories. (37:06) Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Episode 9: The Rosin Box: The Ranks

Maria Kowroski

Join hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz as they invite celebrated Principal Dancer Maria Kowroski to step into The Rosin Box, for the series’ inaugural episode. Embarking on her 25th year with the Company, Maria talks about tackling a multitude of principal roles at an early age, including her debut at just 19 in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, her new perspective on ballet after the birth of her first child, and some really interesting entrances while performing in Russia. (35:41)   Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Join hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz as they invite celebrated Principal Dancer Maria Kowroski to step into The Rosin Box, for the series’ inaugural episode. Embarking on her 25th year with the Company, Maria talks about tackling a multitude of principal roles at an early age, including her debut at just 19 in George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, her new perspective on ballet after the birth of her first child, and some really interesting entrances while performing in Russia. (35:41) Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Episode 8: The Rosin Box: Maria Kowroski

In the final episode of Season Two of City Ballet The Podcast, Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz welcome Principal Dancer (and law student) Abi Stafford to the Rosin Box to discuss the challenges and rewards of juggling educational pursuits with a professional dancing career. Plus, Abi aces a pop quiz with some pretty obscure questions and Claire and Aaron answer listener questions on foot care, performance hacks, and pointe shoe maintenance. From all of us, thank you for listening to Season Two, and we’ll be back with new episodes at the start of Winter performances in late January. (38:51) Music "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

In the final episode of Season Two of City Ballet The Podcast, Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz welcome Principal Dancer (and law student) Abi Stafford to the Rosin Box to discuss the challenges and rewards of juggling educational pursuits with a professional dancing career. Plus, Abi aces a pop quiz with some pretty obscure questions and Claire and Aaron answer listener questions on foot care, performance hacks, and pointe shoe maintenance. From all of us, thank you for listening to Season Two, and we’ll be back with new episodes at the start of Winter performances in late January. (38:51) Music "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Episode 13: The Rosin Box: Back to School

Dancing can certainly run in the family, as evidenced by the multiple sibling pairs that have passed through the Company over the years. And while our dancers may find a chosen family among their colleagues, this week on The Rosin Box, hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz chat with sisters Claire and Emma Von Enck about what it’s like to pursue a professional dance career with members of your biological family. Plus, Claire and Aarón answer a listener question about balancing technique and acting when tacking a character role. (31:03) Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Dancing can certainly run in the family, as evidenced by the multiple sibling pairs that have passed through the Company over the years. And while our dancers may find a chosen family among their colleagues, this week on The Rosin Box, hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz chat with sisters Claire and Emma Von Enck about what it’s like to pursue a professional dance career with members of your biological family. Plus, Claire and Aarón answer a listener question about balancing technique and acting when tacking a character role. (31:03) Music: "Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Episode 10: The Rosin Box: Back in the Day

Don’t just step behind the curtain, come all the way backstage on this week's episode of The Rosin Box. Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz chat with three Company members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that every performance runs as smoothly as possible: Director of Production Marquerite Mehler, Assistant Wardrobe Mistress Marlene Hamm, and Wardrobe Master John Radwick. And this week, Claire candidly answers a listener question about pointe shoe prep. Music"Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Don’t just step behind the curtain, come all the way backstage on this week's episode of The Rosin Box. Hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz chat with three Company members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that every performance runs as smoothly as possible: Director of Production Marquerite Mehler, Assistant Wardrobe Mistress Marlene Hamm, and Wardrobe Master John Radwick. And this week, Claire candidly answers a listener question about pointe shoe prep. Music"Je ne t’aime plus" by Pink Martini. Courtesy of Pink Martini &amp; Heinz Records.

Episode 11: The Rosin Box: Backstage

 In the lead-up to the return of Balanchine’s Firebird later this month, Silas Farley is joined by former NYCB Principal Dancer Merrill Ashley for this episode of Hear the Dance. They discuss her recollections of Firebird from early childhood memories of seeing Maria Tallchief dance the role at Jacob’s Pillow through her 30-plus years as a dancer at NYCB, including her own performances as a monster, a maiden, and in the ballet’s title role. Merrill reminisces with Silas about preparations for the Stravinsky Festival in 1972 and the spectacle created by the combination of Chagall’s exotic designs, Karinska’s beautifully hand-crocheted costumes, and the increasingly difficult-to-maneuver wings for the Firebird, as well as her recent work teaching Balanchine’s choreography around the world. (42:25)  Music Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky  Firebird Suite for Orchestra (1945), from Firebird (1910) by Igor Stravinsky Performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra  Reading List   America’s Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief   Dancing for Balanchine by Merrill Ashley   Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes by Lynn Garafola

In the lead-up to the return of Balanchine’s Firebird later this month, Silas Farley is joined by former NYCB Principal Dancer Merrill Ashley for this episode of Hear the Dance. They discuss her recollections of Firebird from early childhood memories of seeing Maria Tallchief dance the role at Jacob’s Pillow through her 30-plus years as a dancer at NYCB, including her own performances as a monster, a maiden, and in the ballet’s title role. Merrill reminisces with Silas about preparations for the Stravinsky Festival in 1972 and the spectacle created by the combination of Chagall’s exotic designs, Karinska’s beautifully hand-crocheted costumes, and the increasingly difficult-to-maneuver wings for the Firebird, as well as her recent work teaching Balanchine’s choreography around the world. (42:25) Music Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Firebird Suite for Orchestra (1945), from Firebird (1910) by Igor Stravinsky Performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra Reading List America’s Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief Dancing for Balanchine by Merrill Ashley Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes by Lynn Garafola

Episode 14: Hear the Dance: Firebird

In an extended conversation with Silas Farley, cultural scholar Elizabeth Kendall, author of the 2013 book Balanchine &amp; the Lost Muse Revolution &amp; the Making of a Choreographer, discusses her extensive research into Balanchine's childhood and youth in in pre- and post-Revolutionary Russia. The first half of this two-part Hear the Dance episode on Balanchine's early life focuses on Georgi Balanchivadze's origins — including the lives of his parents, his early childhood years in the Finnish countryside, and the beginnings of his dance training at the Imperial Theater School. (42:52) Continue listening to Part 2 of this episode. MusicWily Tamara by Meliton Balanchivadze The Sleeping Beauty by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky Reading List (Pt. 1 &amp; Pt. 2) Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer by Elizabeth Kendall  Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky: Interviews with George Balanchine by Solomon Volkov  Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets by George Balanchine and Francis Mason  Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova By Alexandra Danilova  Split Seconds: A Remembrance by Tamara Geva

In an extended conversation with Silas Farley, cultural scholar Elizabeth Kendall, author of the 2013 book Balanchine &amp; the Lost Muse Revolution &amp; the Making of a Choreographer, discusses her extensive research into Balanchine's childhood and youth in in pre- and post-Revolutionary Russia. The first half of this two-part Hear the Dance episode on Balanchine's early life focuses on Georgi Balanchivadze's origins — including the lives of his parents, his early childhood years in the Finnish countryside, and the beginnings of his dance training at the Imperial Theater School. (42:52) <a href="https://podcast.nycballet.com/episode-122-balanchines-eary-life-part-2" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Continue listening to Part 2 of this episode</a>. MusicWily Tamara by Meliton Balanchivadze The Sleeping Beauty by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky Reading List (Pt. 1 &amp; Pt. 2) Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer by Elizabeth Kendall Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky: Interviews with George Balanchine by Solomon Volkov Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets by George Balanchine and Francis Mason Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova By Alexandra Danilova Split Seconds: A Remembrance by Tamara Geva

Episode 12.1 : Balanchine's Early Life (Part 1)

Alexei Ratmansky

Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky joins Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan to discuss Voices, his new ballet for NYCB,  which premieres at the company’s annual New Combinations evening on January 30, 2020. Ratmansky describes his early career as a dancer in Kiev and the importance of watching bootleg VHS recordings of dance in his early development as a choreographer. Listeners will also find out how he came to set a ballet to Peter Ablinger’s complex, avant-garde composition, Voices and Piano, a departure for him musically, and why he feels NYCB is the best place to address the unique challenges this music has presented. (33:27)

Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky joins Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan to discuss Voices, his new ballet for NYCB,  which premieres at the company’s annual New Combinations evening on January 30, 2020. Ratmansky describes his early career as a dancer in Kiev and the importance of watching bootleg VHS recordings of dance in his early development as a choreographer. Listeners will also find out how he came to set a ballet to Peter Ablinger’s complex, avant-garde composition, Voices and Piano, a departure for him musically, and why he feels NYCB is the best place to address the unique challenges this music has presented. (33:27)

Episode 15: New Combinations: Alexei Ratmansky

In this episode of See the Music, NYCB Music Director Andrew Litton dives into the history and particular genius of Tschaikovsky’s treasured Swan Lake score. Joined by NYCB Concertmaster Kurt Nikkanen on the violin, Litton demonstrates the use of specific instruments and musical motifs to portray the characters of Odette and her dark opposite, Odile, and reveals what he considers to be the seven greatest measures Tschaikovsky ever composed. (17:16)

In this episode of See the Music, NYCB Music Director Andrew Litton dives into the history and particular genius of Tschaikovsky’s treasured Swan Lake score. Joined by NYCB Concertmaster Kurt Nikkanen on the violin, Litton demonstrates the use of specific instruments and musical motifs to portray the characters of Odette and her dark opposite, Odile, and reveals what he considers to be the seven greatest measures Tschaikovsky ever composed. (17:16)

Episode 17: See the Music: Swan Lake

Nico Muhly

In a lively, wide-ranging discussion about the relationship between music and choreography, Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is joined by composer Nico Muhly, who is currently collaborating on a new work with Justin Peck premiering at NYCB on February 26. Muhly muses on the manner in which ballet has enriched his appreciation of the works of Stravinsky, why he loves watching from the wings, and how his newest work is like a musical scavenger hunt for Peck. (42:36) Music: "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

In a lively, wide-ranging discussion about the relationship between music and choreography, Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is joined by composer Nico Muhly, who is currently collaborating on a <a href="https://www.nycballet.com/Ballets/N/New-Peck-Winter-2020.aspx" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">new work</a> with Justin Peck premiering at NYCB on February 26. Muhly muses on the manner in which ballet has enriched his appreciation of the works of Stravinsky, why he loves watching from the wings, and how his newest work is like a musical scavenger hunt for Peck. (42:36) Music: "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Episode 19: New Combinations: Nico Muhly

In a special bonus episode, take a trip to Lincoln Center without leaving your home. Music Director Andrew Litton takes us behind Bizet’s Symphony in C score in a See the Music presentation recorded live on October 3, 2019, right before our dancers performed the Balanchine ballet. This episode brings us to the end of Season One of City Ballet The Podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out when we’re back with Season Two. (13:59) Music: Carmen (1875) by Georges Bizet Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

In a special bonus episode, take a trip to Lincoln Center without leaving your home. Music Director Andrew Litton takes us behind Bizet’s Symphony in C score in a See the Music presentation recorded live on October 3, 2019, right before our dancers performed the Balanchine ballet. This episode brings us to the end of Season One of City Ballet The Podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out when we’re back with Season Two. (13:59) Music: Carmen (1875) by Georges Bizet Symphony No. 1 in C major (1855) by Georges Bizet All music performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

BONUS: See the Music Live - Symphony in C

This episode of City Ballet The Podcast is the first ever Hear the Dance recorded live from a recent Inside NYCB presentation hosted by Silas Farley on the uniquely fruitful collaboration between George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky. Silas is joined on stage by Company members and musicians from the NYCB Orchestra for demonstrations of excerpts from the Stravinsky/Balanchine partnership, as well as conductor Clotilde Otranto and Kay Mazzo, Chairman of the Faculty School of American Ballet and a former NYCB principal dancer, to discuss the music and choreography of the two titans’ careers. (56:06)   Reading List for Hear the Dance Live: Stravinsky &amp; Balanchine  Stravinsky and Balanchine: A Journey of Invention by Charles M. Joseph Stravinsky’s Ballets by Charles M. Joseph Stravinsky Inside Out by Charles M. Joseph An Autobiography by Igor Stravinsky Stravinsky: A Creative Spring: Russia and France, 1882-1934 by Stephen Walsh Stravinsky: The Second Exile: France and America, 1934-1971 by Stephen Walsh Stravinsky: Chronicle of a Friendship by Robert Craft Stravinsky: Discoveries and Memories by Robert Craft The Stravinsky Festival of The New York City Ballet by Nancy Goldner Holding on to the Air by Suzanne Farrell with Toni Bentley   Music:  Apollo (1928) by Igor Stravinsky Danses Concertantes (1942) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1957) by Igor Stravinsky Firebird (1910) by Igor Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Duo Concertant (1932) by Igor Stravinsky

This episode of City Ballet The Podcast is the first ever Hear the Dance recorded live from a recent Inside NYCB presentation hosted by Silas Farley on the uniquely fruitful collaboration between George Balanchine and Igor Stravinsky. Silas is joined on stage by Company members and musicians from the NYCB Orchestra for demonstrations of excerpts from the Stravinsky/Balanchine partnership, as well as conductor Clotilde Otranto and Kay Mazzo, Chairman of the Faculty School of American Ballet and a former NYCB principal dancer, to discuss the music and choreography of the two titans’ careers. (56:06) Reading List for Hear the Dance Live: Stravinsky &amp; Balanchine Stravinsky and Balanchine: A Journey of Invention by Charles M. Joseph Stravinsky’s Ballets by Charles M. Joseph Stravinsky Inside Out by Charles M. Joseph An Autobiography by Igor Stravinsky Stravinsky: A Creative Spring: Russia and France, 1882-1934 by Stephen Walsh Stravinsky: The Second Exile: France and America, 1934-1971 by Stephen Walsh Stravinsky: Chronicle of a Friendship by Robert Craft Stravinsky: Discoveries and Memories by Robert Craft The Stravinsky Festival of The New York City Ballet by Nancy Goldner Holding on to the Air by Suzanne Farrell with Toni Bentley Music:  Apollo (1928) by Igor Stravinsky Danses Concertantes (1942) by Igor Stravinsky Agon (1957) by Igor Stravinsky Firebird (1910) by Igor Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Duo Concertant (1932) by Igor Stravinsky

Episode 18: Hear the Dance Live: Stravinsky & Balanchine

 The art of ballet doesn't exist in a vacuum, and in the second half of this two-part episode of Hear the Dance, Silas Farley and cultural scholar Elizabeth Kendall, author of the 2013 book Balanchine &amp; the Lost Muse Revolution &amp; the Making of a Choreographer, discuss how the aftershocks of the Russian Revolution affected Balanchine's development as a choreographer, and the events that lead up to his dramatic departure from Russia in 1924. (34:20)  This is a continuation of Part 1 of this episode. MusicThe Nutcracker by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky Romance in E-Flat Major, Op. 44 No. 1 by Anton Rubinstein Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op 35: Marche funebre - lento Frédéric Chopin Reading List (Pt. 1 &amp; Pt. 2) Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer by Elizabeth Kendall  Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky: Interviews with George Balanchine by Solomon Volkov  Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets by George Balanchine and Francis Mason  Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova By Alexandra Danilova  Split Seconds: A Remembrance by Tamara Geva

The art of ballet doesn't exist in a vacuum, and in the second half of this two-part episode of Hear the Dance, Silas Farley and cultural scholar Elizabeth Kendall, author of the 2013 book Balanchine &amp; the Lost Muse Revolution &amp; the Making of a Choreographer, discuss how the aftershocks of the Russian Revolution affected Balanchine's development as a choreographer, and the events that lead up to his dramatic departure from Russia in 1924. (34:20) This is a continuation of <a href="https://podcast.nycballet.com/episode-21-balanchines-early-life-part-1" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Part 1 of this episode</a>. MusicThe Nutcracker by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky Romance in E-Flat Major, Op. 44 No. 1 by Anton Rubinstein Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op 35: Marche funebre - lento Frédéric Chopin Reading List (Pt. 1 &amp; Pt. 2) Balanchine and the Lost Muse: Revolution and the Making of a Choreographer by Elizabeth Kendall Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky: Interviews with George Balanchine by Solomon Volkov Balanchine’s Complete Stories of the Great Ballets by George Balanchine and Francis Mason Choura: The Memoirs of Alexandra Danilova By Alexandra Danilova Split Seconds: A Remembrance by Tamara Geva

Episode 12.2: Balanchine's Early Life (Part 2)

In this week’s installment of Hear the Dance, Silas Farley is joined by the two dancers who will perform the solo in Balanchine’s Episodes choreographed on Paul Taylor in 1959, NYCB Soloist Jovani Furlan and guest artist and former Paul Taylor company member Michael Trusnovec. Jovani, who performed the solo as a dancer at Miami City Ballet, shares his experience of learning the solo from former NYCB dancer Peter Frame, who’d learned it from Taylor in 1986 – and then teaching it to Michael in turn. Together they reflect on the special intimacy and historical excavation intrinsic to the oral tradition that has kept this special solo alive through the decades. (50:46) Reading List For Episodes Private Domain by Paul Taylor Anton Webern: A Chronicle of His Life and Work by Hans Moldenhauer in Collaboration with Rosaleen Moldenhuaer Deep Song: The Dance Story of Martha Graham by Ernestine Stodelle Once a Dancer: An Autobiography by Allegra Kent Thirty Years: Lincoln Kirstein’s The New York City Ballet by Lincoln Kirstein MusicConcerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Variations, Op. 30 by Anton Webern (1940) by Anton Webern Ricercata in 6 Voices from Musical Offering (1935) by Johann Sebastian Bach

In this week’s installment of Hear the Dance, Silas Farley is joined by the two dancers who will perform the solo in Balanchine’s Episodes choreographed on Paul Taylor in 1959, NYCB Soloist Jovani Furlan and guest artist and former Paul Taylor company member Michael Trusnovec. Jovani, who performed the solo as a dancer at Miami City Ballet, shares his experience of learning the solo from former NYCB dancer Peter Frame, who’d learned it from Taylor in 1986 – and then teaching it to Michael in turn. Together they reflect on the special intimacy and historical excavation intrinsic to the oral tradition that has kept this special solo alive through the decades. (50:46) Reading List For Episodes Private Domain by Paul Taylor Anton Webern: A Chronicle of His Life and Work by Hans Moldenhauer in Collaboration with Rosaleen Moldenhuaer Deep Song: The Dance Story of Martha Graham by Ernestine Stodelle Once a Dancer: An Autobiography by Allegra Kent Thirty Years: Lincoln Kirstein’s The New York City Ballet by Lincoln Kirstein MusicConcerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky Variations, Op. 30 by Anton Webern (1940) by Anton Webern Ricercata in 6 Voices from Musical Offering (1935) by Johann Sebastian Bach

Episode 16: Hear the Dance: Episodes

In this week’s episode of See the Music, NYCB Music Director Andrew Litton introduces us to the score of Jerome Robbins’ In G Major: Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto from 1931. With live demonstrations on the piano, Litton explores the American influences and jazzy nuances of this late work from the French impressionist composer, relating which passage he considers “achingly beautiful” and his personal connection to the piece. (24:28) Music:  Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky Piano Concerto in G Major (1928-31) by Maurice Ravel

In this week’s episode of See the Music, NYCB Music Director Andrew Litton introduces us to the score of Jerome Robbins’ In G Major: Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto from 1931. With live demonstrations on the piano, Litton explores the American influences and jazzy nuances of this late work from the French impressionist composer, relating which passage he considers “achingly beautiful” and his personal connection to the piece. (24:28) Music:  Symphony in Three Movements (1945) by Igor Stravinsky Piano Concerto in G Major (1928-31) by Maurice Ravel

Episode 20: See the Music: In G Major

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