MARIA TALLCHIEF TV Appearances

America's first Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Maria Tallchief, was a Native American (Osage Nation), and George Balanchine's 3rd wife. She was known internationally as one of the greatest ballerinas of her era, and was largely responsible for the success of the New York City Ballet during its formation (1948) and early years, through the mid 1960's. Her performances in ballets Balanchine made for her, such as, THE NUTCRACKER, FIREBIRD, SCOTCH SYMPHONY, ALLEGRO BRILLANTE, ORPHEUS, and others, put her, and the company, on the map. She danced with Rudolph Nureyev, Erik Bruhn, Royes Fernandez, Andre Eglevsky, Francisco Moncion, Nicholas Magallanes, Conrad Ludlow, and other notables, and appeared regularly on television. There is no overestimating her impact on ballet in America, and indeed, the world. These are all her appearances on the Bell Telephone Hour, and on TV in Montreal in the 1950's thru 1960's.

[@MrQbenDanny]

That Raymonda variation was sinfully brilliant. She looked deliciously happy. The Balanchine version has his wizardry in top form. Maria is glowing in its tempos. I love it. The PRIZE here is her Sylph. Makes me believe she's just as comfortable with the romantic style. She should have asked Lucia Chase for a couple of Giselles with Royes!!! She would have been great. Let's bring back the flats pirouettes!!!

[@corinamaggi3945]

It is so nice to see these beautiful clips! Maria has always been one of my favorite dancers ever since I studied her Bio in Junior Highschool. She inspired me to pursue a career in Ballet. Two of my teachers, Jillana, and Jacqueline Hepner, always spoke very highly of her, not only of her talent, but also for being a great friend. ❤

[@dennischiapello7243]

You've really outdone yourself, Mr. Clifford! I never had the chance to see much of Maria Tallchief, so this is wonderful. I almost fell out of my chair to see the young Nureyev come on and dance Bournenville, of all things! (It really made me wish we'd see more Bournenville nowadays.)

[@alanaronald244]

A real blast from the past! Elegant & expressive: lovely, ty.

[@user-tt9kb1oz6l]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@juliabouriakova957]

Спасибо тысячу раз!!!

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

thank you for this post, I can't believe that you have so many ballet films ! Maria Tallchief is such a beautiful woman and a legend ! Bournonville's pas de deux with young Noureyev is very moving !

[@MrEJFjr]

what a find. Thank you John and what a treat to watch!

[@maryangeladouglas]

wow.

[@MiriamGross-mi3sn]

I had never seen the videos of Tallchief in Les Sylphides, Romeo and Juliet, and the complete Scotch Symphony pas de deux. Thank you so much John for posting these films. Whose choreography is the Romeo and Juliet pas de deux?

[@MrQbenDanny]

My guess is that the choreography for this Romeo and Juliet pás is by ERIK BRUHN. There is a longer version he staged with CARLA FRACCI, which is on KZbin, which has a similar style along with a sensational variation himself. The one seen here seems a personalized truncated version for La TALLCHIEF of the one with La FRACCI.

[@mariachile2368]

Mil gracias! Muy interesante, sobre todo para apreciar realmente el cambio impresionante que significó la llegada de Rudolf Nureyev a occidente, para el ballet en técnica, musicalidad, teatralidad, coreografía, etc , etc. Esto es muy lindo y excelente para la época, pero por favor ver la Balcón Scene de Romeo y Julieta con Nureyev y la maravillosa Margot Fontein!!!! ❤🎉❤🎉❤❤❤

[@mariachile2368]

Con la coreografía de Mc Millan, si no me equivoco ❤

[@michaelcanestraro2849]

Tallchief is wonderful in the Balanchine rep, but her Don Q is wobbly in the extreme. I've never seen a Kitri reach for her partner's stomach with a full arm to steady herself.

[@flightydancer]

Poor Maria; she ended up with polio and couldn't dance anymore.

[@judithwalker9694]

That was Tanaquil Leclerq.

[@flightydancer]

@@judithwalker9694 oops, thank you for the correction.

[@michelboudot2882]

Whose dreadful version s that DON QUIXOTE…ARCHAIQUE