Arabian Coffee ☕️ Ballet DECONSTRUCTED | New York City Ballet Nutcracker | Kathryn Morgan

[@francophile714]

This series is the best 12 days of christmas ever

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you! ❤️

[@rachicolate]

I’m so glad you confirmed that Balanchine’s version is actually shorter! I watched the full thing online for the first time last night and I thought I was going crazy since I could’ve SWORN that dance is usually way longer

[@lovableladyfish]

My grandma and I used to go annually to the PNB's Nutcracker--Sendak and Stowell--before they returned to the Balanchine version. In that production, Arabian was a solo done as a Peacock, and was one of the most unique performances that I remember--definitely one of my favorites.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Love the Peacock!

[@kathymyers7279]

O gosh no more peacock? That version was so special!

[@Bridger_loves_ballet]

@@kathymyers7279they still have a peacock! It’s just balanchines choreography now so basically it’s balanchines Arabian dance as a peacock

[@lovableladyfish]

@Bridger_loves_ballet PNB has an Arabian dancer like this who dresses in blue garb, but she no longer has the feathered tail that she shakes as part of her dance, she has the finger symbols like in the video (unless the changed it this year, which is the first year we had to call it off). I think she still represents a peacock, but you can Google the Sendak's version to see the original and the notable differences in costume and dance. Both are great, but some definite differences ❤️

[@jessicabloxom2754]

Yay! Thank you! I got to see Wendy W dance this live when I was a teen, and it was subliiiiime. I'm loving this series!

[@julijepp]

These videos have been my ride or die through dreary winter sick days ❤

[@JackieOstick]

I am loving this series! This so fun! Loving all the behind the scenes!

[@strawberry1025]

Oh goody, Arabian! My favourite piece of music in Nutcracker and l love the meditative, sensuous ballet of this piece. This wonderful deconstruction opens my eyes further the beauty of it. Thank you, and Happy Christmas from Dublin Katie! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you! And Merry Christmas!

[@kariboudreaux6738]

Been waiting for this one!! Love the emphasis on the committment!!

[@ElizabethFailure]

my family went every year when i was a kid and this was always my absolute favorite part!!!!

[@felicitiefoo7676]

I slept through the Arabian Coffee playlist and wake up to a new video yay 😁 so much push pull and face/back initiating the movements. Thank you so much Kathyrn! This deconstruction series made me really want to learn nutcracker:)

[@kathryn_morgan]

Awww thank you!

[@SilentGlaceon94]

One thing I struggle with as a dancer is how my moves translate from stage to audience. Some of my movements come off as robotic when I'm slow, or they're sloppy when I am fast. One thing that I took from this video is that the dancer's movements are always intentional. That's something I need to work on. Thanks for the awesome deconstruction! It made me feel like I'm back in class again.

[@kathryn_morgan]

My pleasure! And thank you!

[@RavenSiren]

Hi, Katie! The little finger cymbals are called zills or saggats. I actually hate Balanchine's version of Arabian, personally. It's too chaotic for the slow, sensual music, and just looks... Weird to me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Give me a slow gooey, and sensuous pas de deux. 🩰 Pittsburgh's Arabian has always been my fave ☺️

[@kathryn_morgan]

I have to agree with you- this isn’t my favorite version of Arabian either! ❤️

[@jaydoubleyew]

Last night I watched the 1958 Playhouse 90 broadcast of Balanchine's Nutcracker, in which Arthur Mitchell performed the Arabian Coffee Dance - the original version. It is so different, but I really loved it. I wish they would bring it back somehow!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Wow! I would love to see that!

[@jaydoubleyew]

​@kathryn_morgan it is here on youtube! Playhouse 90 Nutcracker 1958!

[@bp6h]

Loving these videos!!!

[@loriannisbatty]

As a student of middle eastern dance for many many years, this is a little awkward to me. But Kathryn totally nailed it with the push & pull and holding some tension. Also finding that sensuality without being obscene.

[@drumandeebass797]

I think Arabian needs reworking in pretty much all versions. It's as offensive as Chinese, perpetuating the overly sexual stereotype assigned to women of non-white races. I appreciate that PNB changed it to a peacock... even if the costume is actually a male peacock haha.

[@feministprincess]

When I was younger, the music for Arabian was my least favorite music from the Nutcracker, but then watching it on stage where there are visuals brings the music to life more, especially in the Balanchine version. This music definitely works a lot better with the visuals and seeing dancers on stage MUCH better than hearing it on the radio unaccompanied by the visuals. The first version of the Nutcracker I ever saw was a video of a production by Mikhail Baryshnikov with Gelsey Kirkland as Clara, which has a long history of being my favorite version. I have a lot of happy memories of that version. The Arabian dance is omitted from that version, which could have contributed to me finding the Arabian dance music more boring because of it possibly being the only music that I don't have those happy memories attached to or maybe lack of memories of any interesting visuals that bring it to life. I definitely think that the visuals and dance in the Balanchine does play a huge role in improving my relationship with the Arabian dance, or really any stage or video version, but especially the Balanchine version. The dim light and noticeable difference in lighting also makes it really work in the Balanchine version. I am now starting to question whether or not the music would seem less boring to me if the Balanchine version had been the first version I ever saw. There is some nuances in the music and subtle touches such as the jingling/tambourine sound that have helped me appreciate the music more as I got older that I might not have noticed before. Maybe the first recording I ever heard was a bad recording. Even now, if you are the DJ in charge of what Christmas music gets played over a loud speaker at the local mall, I might not recommend choosing the Arabian music.

[@clesliabellanosa4086]

I believe a male dancer did this originally for Balanchine’s Nutcracker. Arthur Mitchel was one of them.

[@wednes3day]

Oh that would be interesting to watch!!!

[@averycutecat1852]

This version is beautiful! It kind of reminds me of Kay Nielson's elongated figures

[@kathymyers7279]

I love his illustrations! Agreed❤

[@Coolpowell2]

Incredible. Fabulous analysis.

[@starmelodyelizabethb7380]

Both Tess and Wendy nail this role

[@KatrinaBodoh-l4i]

This shade of lipstick and sweater look lovely on you. Now, I'm going to finish watching the video.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you!

[@janefuller427]

wow so amazing love to listen to these ive learned so much thanks

[@jendesimone9053]

At 53, I don’t think ever going on pointe is in the cards for me so this, coupled with my yoga background, seems the most accessible dance in The Nutcracker for me … if I ever had the opportunity to learn it (watered down of course to my level, of course).

[@Sophiesdays]

alternatively, there is also this video which is quite unique, it might be a bit more accessible since it is like an exercise, I cannot lift my legs nearly as high as her but it's always a good workout nonetheless kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpvEfGywfbqYlaM

[@HeatherLandon227]

This is my favorite series!

[@lilym8944]

I remember how Balanchine referred to Arabian as something for the dads in the audience and I can never watch the same way

[@greydovegardens7688]

That explains why I get slave girl vibes from this version.

[@starmelodyelizabethb7380]

That sounds creepy

[@Kayra-r9e]

Maya Plisetskaya once made a pretty scathing remark about a dancer, "The music exists on its own, and she exists on her own - unbothered by the music." With all due respect, I feel Balanchine was unbothered by the music when he was choreographing this piece. It would look stunning set to a different, more appropriate score.

[@JB-sb3mk]

you know you does this role beautifully? The fish in fantasia (1940) haha

[@starmelodyelizabethb7380]

I love that too that fish was pretty

[@donburks4464]

just want to say i really been enjoying the series so far i learn a lot of the ballet moves terms and has inspired me to watch other online ballets just got through with(2019 russian Don quixote) and all i say is wow been watching for (picture moments the female and the male principals do and the demis in act 2 seem strange to me not sure what the dancers are suppose to be but it they are very good as well are you planning to destruct any more after the nutcracker??

[@starmelodyelizabethb7380]

Arabian is another favorite dream role after Spanish. I love the costume for Arabian . I want to mention that the bells on her ankles are called Ghungroos which Kathak Indian dancers wear because to make percussive music with their feet . I would see belly dancers wear too.

[@bethanneblack]

Katie, her lines are gorgeous, and I never really noticed the use of the dancer’s face and eyes until you pointed it out. Her expressions and head movements really add sensuality to Arabian! Thanks for another great deconstruction! 🩰

[@kathryn_morgan]

Yes! And thank you!

[@marcuravic7683]

I always loved this. I used to watch Gloria Govrin coach this at Pennsylvania Ballet. An absolute master class in movement quality, using the push pull that you mentioned. It also makes act 2 more diverse and interesting

[@kathryn_morgan]

Oooh love that.

[@marcuravic7683]

@@kathryn_morgan great lesson for all dancers tlearn….hank youths decostutio

[@janefuller427]

just so beautiful wow love to watch her and when you explain makes it so special

[@greydovegardens7688]

Loved your Arabian I think you did when you were a baby ballerina at 14.

[@onexahh2416]

This one of my favorite parts in the th nutcraker👍;)

[@sandracarli1110]

Beautiful to watch.

[@user-el2nh5uo1w]

At no moment in this performance did gravity ever affect her movements, she was controlled throughout every moment.

[@DestinyHopeLou]

Love the music but I don’t like the Balanchine interpretation of it. A female soloist is nice but the movement is too hectic for me for the music. Teresa Reichlen is BEAUTIFUL but the choreography…no..

[@kathryn_morgan]

I can appreciate that- it’s not my favorite version either! But yes- Tess is gorgeous!

[@michelledillman6381]

Zills ….. they are a musical instrument…….

[@starmelodyelizabethb7380]

I feel Balanchines choreography for this to me is kinda stereotypical in my view. If could change it i would make it more grounded add some shimmys and more hip movements to give it more belly dance vibes

[@monongahelacats]

When wearing a costume like Arabian, does the dancer wear body makeup?

[@JGreen-le8xx]

Katie ❤❤❤❤❤❤ 😊

[@beatrixflynn5126]

Ive always found it weird that they didn't change arabian at all when they changed chinese. The choreography and costume is equally stereotypical imo.

[@ivylin5960]

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! I think today, Alexa Maxwell is a short Coffee. But Tess is gorgeous in this role. So sexy.

[@catherinebhicks]

This coreo is a big no from me. It’s always just felt really out of place with the rest of the show and feels awkward to me, where in other versions is much more flowing. She’s a beautiful dancer dancing something that just feels out of place to me

[@kathryn_morgan]

I can totally appreciate that. To be honest- it’s not my favorite version of Arabian!

[@Sujowi]

It is peculiar because one thing I like about Balanchine’s choreography is the musicality. I don’t like some of his “modern” (now quaint) movements but these are always with the music. This has some lovely passages and I love the solo dancer but she needs slower movements. However…. I really really hate the Russian ballet version with basically a gymnastic routine….dance, people, don’t show me how double jointed you are!!!

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Dear Katie, can you please please please deactivate auto-synchronization?? Otherwise your foreign viewers can only watch your videos with a creepy AI voice and a horrible translation (into German, in my case). This is a new YT thing, it’s so stupid!! It’s unbearable to watch, but I love your videos, and I want to keep watching them!