Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Bolender, Todd
2. Balanchine, George
3. Hindemith, Paul, 1895-1963.
4. Evans, Albert, 1970-
5. Barksdale, Christopher
6. McDill, Nancy
7. Greskovic, Robert
8. Reynolds, Nancy, 1938-
9. Brooks, Virginia Loring
10. Sorrin, Ellen
11. Reusch, Amy
12. Balanchine, George
13. George Balanchine Foundation
14. Reusch Dance Video (Firm)

Description

1. 1 videocassette (VHS, NTSC) (112 min.) : sd., col.; 1/2 in.

Summary

1. The recording begins with Albert Evans's performance of the present-day version of the Phlegmatic variation from The four temperaments. He is then coached in the original version by Todd Bolender, who created the role in the ballet's premiere by Ballet Society at the Central High School of Needle Trades, New York City, on November 20, 1946. The variation is danced without the four women who join the male dancer after his initial solo. Bolender's version emphasizes inner motivation, and as he works with the dancers he recalls pointers given to him by Balanchine. At ca. 88 min. into the tape, Bolender is interviewed by Robert Greskovic. He discusses early rehearsals for the ballet, and the fact that its score by Paul Hindemith had originally been intended for an unrealized ballet, Cave of sleep. He recalls how he developed his interpretation of the variation from Balanchine's rather rare directions and his own deductions, and describes in detail Kurt Seligmann's elaborate original costumes, which were abandoned in 1952 in favor of practice clothes.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Gift of The George Balanchine Foundation.

Series statement

1. George Balanchine Foundation Interpreters Archive.

Subject

1. Balanchine, George
2. Balanchine, George > Four temperaments
3. Interviews
4. Ballet > Variations
5. Dance
6. Cave of sleep (Choreographic work : Balanchine)
7. Video
8. Interpretation in dance performance

Genre/Form

1. Dance.
2. Interviews.
3. Video.

Call number

1. *MGZIA 4-7185

Credits (note)

1. Video production, Reusch Dance Video; camera, Amy Reusch; sound, Eric Bechtel; lighting, Alex Faban; editing, Virginia Brooks; coordinating producer, Ellen Sorrin.

Performer (note)

1. Interviewer, Robert Greskovic.

Event (note)

1. Videotaped at New York City Ballet studios, Rose Building, Lincoln Center, New York, N.Y., on September 15, 1997.

Title

1. Todd Bolender coaching the Phlegmatic variation from The four temperaments [videorecording] / The George Balanchine Foundation ; project director, Nancy Reynolds ; choreography by George Balanchine ; music by Paul Hindemith (Theme with four variations (according to the four temperaments), 1940)

Imprint

1. New York, N.Y. : George Balanchine Foundation, c1998.

Country of producing entity

1. U.S.

Series

1. George Balanchine Foundation Interpreters Archive.

Event

1. Videotaped at New York City Ballet studios, Rose Building, Lincoln Center, New York, N.Y., on September 15, 1997.

Credits

1. Video production, Reusch Dance Video; camera, Amy Reusch; sound, Eric Bechtel; lighting, Alex Faban; editing, Virginia Brooks; coordinating producer, Ellen Sorrin.

Performer

1. Danced by Albert Evans, principal dancer, New York City Ballet.
2. Mr. Bolender's assistant, Christopher Barksdale, State Ballet of Missouri.
3. Pianist, Nancy McDill.
4. Interviewer, Robert Greskovic.

Local subject

1. Interpretation in dance performance.
2. Ballet -- Variations.

Added author

1. Bolender, Todd. Interviewee
2. Balanchine, George, choreographer.
3. Hindemith, Paul, 1895-1963. Composer
4. Evans, Albert, 1970- dancer.
5. Barksdale, Christopher, dancer.
6. McDill, Nancy. Musician
7. Greskovic, Robert. Interviewer
8. Reynolds, Nancy, 1938-
9. Brooks, Virginia Loring. Film editor
10. Sorrin, Ellen.
11. Reusch, Amy.
12. George Balanchine Foundation.
13. Reusch Dance Video (Firm)
14. Balanchine, George. Four temperaments.

Research call number

1. *MGZIA 4-7185