CHACONNE (Farrell, Lavery - 1983)

From a PBS 1983 broadcast, here is Suzanne Farrell and Sean Lavery, in top form. This was the year Balanchine died, but I'm not sure if this was filmed before, or after his death. In any case, it's a wonderful live performance testament to his choreography, and also his training.

[@thomastofel2]

The superb Sean Lavery, with the musical Suzanne Farrell!!

[@lisawg03]

Her mock seriousness about the courtly dance she is performing with her partner is just delightful.

[@GrandOldMovies]

wonderful dancing, wonderful partnering!

[@unsatura]

what a happy couple, i think farrell actually smiled several times ! ! Please post the rest if you have them Mr. Clifford

[@simaraft7373]

It sure is nice to see Suzanne smile!

[@candidacarino669]

Brilliant footwork there, by 'Sean Lavery' and he bounces beautifully, too. And the 'sublime' Suzanne Farrell dances effortlessly. Thank you @ John Clifford.

[@toeknee1965]

Godess

[@susannevollmer2347]

I love to watch this! Farrell musicality is unbeleavable!🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

[@susannevollmer2347]

So absolutely beautiful! Great Farrell and the best Lavery.

[@Marta44339]

Wonderful!

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you so very much.

[@scottgilmore7319]

OMG!!! What joy to see this - thank you!❤️

[@etempleentedu6878]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤

[@reinstate317]

❤

[@running179]

A few comments to make as a 1991 SAB alumnus who went on to dance w/ Dance Theatre of Harlem & always LOVED Suzanne: 1) thank God for John Clifford loading these gems. 2) Suzanne dances *so* dangerously off balance here...WILD, and you gotta LOVE it! 3) I don't like Sean's unstretched feet, but he has gorgeous legs, nice knees & a beautiful presence (always did). Also lovely epaulement & upper body. He's not as good with the beats as Martins is, tho, but he's more giving to the audience. 4) Suzanne takes *wide*, huge 4th pos for her turns - notice? Mr B always wanted that & it ain't easy. I think the huge 4th gives her more power 5) I always wondered how Suzanne manages to dance these incredibly HARD ballets *always* with her mouth closed, not open to get more breath. How does she do it? Maybe bc she never smoked. 6) Suzanne is always *totally* immersed in the "world" of the ballet, even when the ballet has no apparent story...she's taking it seriously & acting as if there's no other way to be.

[@spacetabby]

Wonderful. This is a level of artistry not found anymore at NYCB 😢 Thank you for posting this.

[@simaraft7373]

Definitely much better than the version with Martins. Much much better. Lighter, sprightlier and more in the spirit of the music.

[@user-pc6xm4ly1u]

wow. so different from the pas with martins. she seems to really enjoy dancing with Sean Lavery. she even smiles. not with Martins and it is same steps but how she uses head and hands and all of it. it is in there NOW . she finds spontaneity in the choreography. and that is DANCING!!!! so many dancers are so over corrected . it lacks life. lacks spontaneity. just great. thanks to post

[@susannevollmer2347]

In greef?

[@spacetabby]

I think they feed off each other. I’ve always found Martins’ dancing too “correct” and dispassionate, and that Farrell danced best when dancing with someone like d’Amboise

[@spacetabby]

Was this some sort of gala performance, seeing as she was presented with a bouquet at that point?