New York City Ballet Connections
From the 1940s to today, dancers and choreographers affiliated with New York City Ballet have been prominently showcased at Jacob’s Pillow, often in ways that diverge from how they are customarily seen. In addition to what’s here, a podcast focuses on the charismatic Jacques d’Amboise (1934-2021).
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Taylor Stanley
These Five, 2022
In assembling a program to present his artistry in new ways, Principal Dancer Taylor Stanley sought out Jodi Melnick to create this premiere.
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Miami City Ballet
Polyphonia, 2017
Polyphonia was the fourth work Christopher Wheeldon created for New York City Ballet, and his first after retiring from dancing with the Company and being named NYCB’s first-ever Artist in Residence in 2000.
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Daniel Ulbricht & Stars of American Ballet
Distractions, 2015
Principal Dancer Daniel Ulbricht has led groups of dancers to the Pillow on three occasions, including this quartet by NYCB’s Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor, Justin Peck.
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Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen
The Bright Motion, 2015
This duet by Justin Peck was commissioned for City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival especially to showcase the artistry of Sara Mearns.
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Pacific Northwest Ballet
Red Angels, 2009
New York City Ballet commissioned Ulysses Dove to create Red Angels for the company in 1994 when the original cast included Peter Boal, who included this ballet as part of an all-Dove program at the Pillow.
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The Suzanne Farrell Ballet
Clarinade, 2006
When Clarinade premiered as the first new ballet to be presented in Lincoln Center’s New York State Theater, Suzanne Farrell performed this duet while Benny Goodman was the clarinet soloist.
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L.A. Dance Project
Hearts & Arrows, 2015
Former NYCB Principal Benjamin Millepied created this work as part of a full-evening work entitled Gems—a nod to Balanchine’s three-part Jewels.
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Peter Boal & Wendy Whelan
Herman Schmerman, 2004
William Forsythe created Herman Schmerman for NYCB’s 1992 Diamond Project, and added this pas de deux to the work the following year.
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Nikolaj Hübbe & Darci Kistler
Apollo, 2002
These two longtime NYCB Principals performed together at the Pillow just this once, though Hübbe had debuted here in 1985 as a student in the Pillow’s Ballet Project.
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Ballet Chicago
Calcium Light Night, 1989
This ballet marked the choreographic debut of longtime NYCB director Peter Martins, and it was presented here by Ballet Chicago under the direction of former NYCB Principal Daniel Duell.
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Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Valse Fantaisie, 1988
Balanchine’s works were a fundamental part of Pittsburgh Ballet’s repertory during the years when the company was led by former NYCB Principal Patricia Wilde.
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Merrill Ashley & John Meehan
Pas de deux from Agon, 1987
Balanchine created this duet on Arthur Mitchell and Diana Adams, revisited here 30 years later by one of NYCB’s foremost technicians, Merrill Ashley, partnered by ABT’s John Meehan.
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Choreography Project with Dancers from the New York City Ballet
Adagio for Two, 1986
In the first of two back-to-back seasons, the Choreography Project with Dancers from the New York City Ballet brought a range of new works to the Pillow, including this premiere by Miriam Mahdaviani.
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Patricia McBride & Edward Villella
Grand Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker, 1969
NYCB’s iconic Edward Villella performed at the Pillow many times during the 1960s and 70s, often with Patricia McBride, but this is the only surviving footage, thought lost until recent years.
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San Francisco Ballet
Concerto Barocco, 1956
Because this company was directed by Balanchine dancer Lew Christensen, it often presented Balanchine classics like this and Apollo (with future NYCB Principal Conrad Ludlow).
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Alexandra Danilova
Sugar Plum Fairy variation from The Nutcracker, 1952
The relationship between George Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova began in the early 1920s and she was a beloved teacher at the School of American Ballet for 25 years beginning in 1964.
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Nora Kaye & Hugh Laing
The Gods Go a-Begging, 1951
At the time of this performance, Nora Kaye was in the midst of a three-year stint with New York City Ballet while on hiatus from Ballet Theatre. Balanchine had originally created this ballet in 1928 and this is the only known footage documenting it.
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Maria Tallchief
Sylvia Pas de Deux, 1951
Balanchine created this role for Maria Tallchief during their five-year marriage, and the ballet had premiered just a few months before she performed it here.
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Tanaquil LeClercq & Nicholas Magallanes
La Valse, 1951
Balanchine choreographed the eighth waltz in La Valse for the two dancers seen here, and he would marry Tanaquil LeClercq the year after this performance.
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Ballet Theatre
Fancy Free, 1949
Jerome Robbins created the role of the Second Sailor for John Kriza, who is seen dancing it here. Though the ballet was commissioned by Ballet Theatre, it later entered the repertory of New York City Ballet during the decades when Robbins served as Associate Artistic Director and later Ballet Master in Chief.