The George Balanchine Foundation Video Archives represent the heart and soul of the Foundation’s efforts to preserve and extend the legacy of George Balanchine and his choreographic works.
Photo by Brian Rushton
Dancers who originated important roles or worked extensively with Balanchine actively coach current dancers in order to provide a living record of the choreography and capture Balanchine’s original choreographic intent.
The Archive of Lost Choreography is dedicated to retrieval of Balanchine choreography no longer performed and in danger of disappearing permanently.
Following the coaching sessions, moderators interview the former dancers who worked with Balanchine to explore and clarify themes and intentions. Together they reflect on historical moments from the creation of the ballets.
Following the coaching sessions, moderators interview the former dancers who worked with Balanchine to explore and clarify themes and intentions. Together they reflect on historical moments from the creation of the ballets.
Conceived of by dance historian, writer, and the Foundation’s Director of Research Nancy Reynolds, the Video Archives remain an essential resource for students, professional dancers, scholars and choreographers interested in the history and evolution of Balanchine’s work. The complete Video Archives, at present over sixty sessions recorded and edited, are housed in the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The project continues as a major ongoing commitment of the Foundation, under the direction of Paul Boos.
86
Video Archives Recorded
131
Dancer Participants
66
Ballets Coached
16
Works Reconstructed
