This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on July 27, 2009. July 27 (Bloomberg) -- Merce Cunningham, the American choreographer revered for his continual reinvention of dancing, has died. He was 90. He died in his sleep last night in his Manhattan apartment, according to Leah Sandals, a spokeswoman for the Merce Cunningham Foundation. A compelling dancer himself, Cunningham created a body of work that questioned the traditional premises of dancing, providing unique answers that were both baffling and … [Read more...]
Pen Pals: Personal Indulgences No. 14
During a time in my life when I was feeling sad and isolated, and my own immediate circle--splendid, stimulating, and supportive people though it contained--was not offering me a certain kind of sensibility I craved, I had the maverick idea of augmenting my circle of friends with people I did not know but who were writers like me, so in some way kindred souls. These writers might have lived in times and places very different from my New York contemporary situation, but all such were permissible, the whole affair taking place in my … [Read more...]

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Virginia on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
I just returned from an afternoon at NYCB, watching Balanchine's various responses to American music. Like some of you,...Tobi Tobias on The Royal Danish Ballet in New York
Hello, Katrine, Jeanette Andersen is a long-experienced dance critic, currently living in Germany, She frequently writes about the Royal Danish...Thomas Schoff on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Ivesiana has been out of NYCB's standard repertory for many years--at least a decade, I think, and maybe more. ...Katrine on The Royal Danish Ballet in New York
I know this post was done a long time ago, but I must say, what Jeanette Andersen (who?) wrote is...Leo Greenbaum on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Thank you! I was there too.Theresa Bener on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Dear Tobi, It was with great interest that I read your detailed review of Ivesiana. Your vivid descriptions made it...Ann Allen-Ryan on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Tobi, thank you (once again) for sharing your insights and interpretations. I'm off to see this program this afternoon. While...George Dorris on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Ivesiana is indeed a remarkable work, perhaps not to be seen too often, to preserve its special feeling but also...Myra Malkin on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
I'm going to a couple of performances just to see Ivesiana, and am very grateful for your description and your...Martha Ullman West on On Balanchine’s “Ivesiana”
Thank you, TT, for the blow by blow, play by play account of a ballet that is very much on...