MOZARTIANA (Tchaikovsky / Balanchine

One of George Balanchine's last masterpieces; choreographed in 1981 when he was 77 years old and already in ill health, MOZARTIANA (Tchaikovsky's Orchestral Suite #4), was made as part of the NYC Ballet's 1981 Tchaikovsky Festival. This 1983 performance was filmed shortly after his death in April, and in my opinion is one of the greatest live performance films of his ballets. The three leads, Suzanne Farrell, Ib Andersen, and Victor Castelli, are in top form, and perfectly demonstrate the Balanchine ideal. His musicality, inventive choreography which still uses the traditional ballet vocabulary, and judicial use of children, are all hallmarks of the true Balanchine style. Nothing exaggerated, but everything in an almost divine harmony.

[@simaraft7373]

My goodness what a treasure!!! Thank you. I have a sad memory of getting a ticket to see Judith Fugate (one of the last true Balanchine ballerinas, with Kyra Nichols) and when I rushed to State Theater after ballet class I couldn't find my ticket. Next day I found my ticket turned in at the studio. Too bad the other dancer who had found it had not at least gone to the theater! This post made up for that loss!

[@MrQbenDanny]

The list is very, very, very short of a ballerina who can wear that iconic costume. La FARRELL was born for it. FANTÁSTICA. Mr.B knew how to pick'em.

[@dennischiapello7243]

You provide such a valuable service toward the art with your videos and commentaries. A long life to you!

[@mihonaito4345]

Beautiful Port de bra and Exquisite Custume. Very Imperial’s, Thank you for sharing this 🙏🩰💞🦋😭❤️‍🩹

[@jennababin]

My God. So beautiful. Even then, Suzanne threw herself into the music. It's electrifying to watch every dancer. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@scottgilmore7319]

Supernatural beauty. We SO need this. Thank you! What superb artistry...

[@adelasussman3838]

Thank you for this wonderful video, John Clifford!! The music and of course the dancing - just sublime!

[@thomasdeansfineart149]

Thank you🙏 such colossal greatness. A sublime performance.

[@bozarts22]

An incredible visual religious rendition of Ave Verum Corpus - incredibly beautiful!❤❤❤❤❤

[@markbeck8384]

I knew the music, but had never seen the ballet. It was not what I expected. it really surprised me, and really gave me pleasure. Thank you so much for this experience. The three lead dancers were great!

[@paulchalmer]

It doesn’t get much better than this! ❤

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

I love this. It looks choreographed in the round with attention to the placement of the dancers from many and any angles. 🙂

[@jjfs11676]

Thank you John. GOD BLESS 🙌🏾 🙏 ❤️ 💖 ✨️

[@christinakirisapoulos2413]

Absolutely breathtaking.

[@TheBunduBallerina]

Fascinating! Thanks so much for sharing this rare gem!

[@eugenia870]

True Balanchine, really gorgeous! thanks for sharing!

[@lentawams5373]

Watching this, just after breakfast, makes my day! Balanchine and beautiful dancers, a day to enjoy! 😊

[@bozarts22]

Clear, clean choreography a la Balachine and exquisitely simple, but appropriate costumes- elegance par excellence!❤

[@caroletraynor8763]

I'm not sure what you mean by the appropriate costume. Ballet dancers always wear beautiful costumes. So I don't know what your getting at.

[@michelboudot2882]

Remember seeing."MOZARTANIA IN 1944 As a student..with Mary Ellen moylan with Les ballets russes de Monte Carlo …at the time BALANCHINE was there …was it the same

[@elizabethridley2599]

WOW! Thank you for posting this. Have always wanted to see it! A true masterpiece.

[@bozarts22]

Superb! Thanks! A real treat!❤

[@porgiamor]

Liked your description very much.

[@tamirmickens89]

There’s something SO divine and magical about @15:42 and that ONE hand detail at @16:04 😩

[@nataliejohnson508]

What a beautiful filming! Thank you Mr. Clifford. Who are the dancers in the past de deux? What year?

[@michelboudot2882]

With MARY ELLEN MOYLAN WAS IT THE SAME

[@jillgooner]

He was great but not a nice man and after Suzanne Farrell blanked him and married another dancer he made sure they couldnt perform his works. He also said he wanted to see the bones in the females chest and disapproved of any relationships unless of course they involved himself.mind you im sure in those days abuse was pretty common.