Symphony in C New York City Ballet (1973)

[@MrQbenDanny]

In spite of the hazardous cement floor, this performance is probably the greatest musically recorded and danced. I saw numerous casts at NYC BALLET including the ones at ABT. After close inspection this undoubtedly pleased Mr Balanchine. It is spin cycle accurate to the pedigree of the choreographed tempos and demands. La Kent is so beautiful, commanding, and Clifford the company movie star Clark Gable looker knew how to play with the tempos, even teasingly holding rock solid arabesque balances without sacrificing a single musical note. No one in the world can dance this like this, the Russians and French and ABT do it their own ways and that's a good thing. It belongs to NYC BALLET. Historical post.

[@toeknee1965]

Karin is just gorgeous bring all her europeaness to the opening of this ballet made in France. I adore this video. what a gem

[@NeryssaPaige]

Do you mean the real Prince Conrad Ludlow? He was dancing the second movement with Allegra Kent.

[@fluffywuffykinsies]

Well said!

[@etempleentedu6878]

MARVELLOUS 🎉❤ A great piece of Art 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

[@zamyrabyrd]

Really stunning! Georges Bizet could have hardly dreamed that his conservatory symphony of his age 17 would be performed for the first time 80 years after he wrote it and then would be danced to by such wonderful people!

[@karennoble1168]

Yes, the Bizet mus
ic Is absolutely Lovely, Full of Energy, joy, so melodious.
I can never get tired of it.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Grande spettacolo di concordanza collettiva sia nella motilità sia negli stazionamenti delle posture figurali.Molto bravi Tutti.Bighin GIULIO RENZO

[@lauracook8231]

My first viewing of B doing C, with the lovely A. Also love the Michael Jackson white socks...makes it so much easier to follow the action!

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

this is the most beautiful version of this ballet (at least on YT), everything is gorgeous, dancers, music; choreography, even the staging and tutus and men outfits are so perfect. They deliver that crisp Balanchine spirit !

[@adelasussman3838]

I loved this ballet when I saw it performed in the '70s in NYC!! the music is wonderful and the dancing exquisite!!

[@RONIDC1979]

my heart rejoices ! .. alegra kent ! thank the Lord for her !

[@brendadufaur37]

What an absolute treat. Wonderful ballet! And I love reading all the knowledgeable and well-written comments here.

[@pedinurse1]

John does a great job

[@gyorgytibrea4076]

Gyönyörű. ❤Gratulálok! BRAVÓ!

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

So very beautiful, always. Thank you.

[@trishkoran3293]

Watching this again! Pure genius! I just love this ballet! The speed of 4th Movement is astounding!

[@christinestill5002]

Not nearly the emphasis on impossibly high kicks 45 years ago! First African American ballerina I've ever seen. WHY? She's lovely !

[@pedinurse1]

Balanchine always had black dancers, male and female

[@karennoble1168]

The ending scene Is so well done!! My favorite, the best i have seen. With all the corps de ballet so esthetically choreographed! AND on a cement floor!
Spectacular! Thank you.

[@abrillanteri5583]

They did ALL THIS dancing on a cement floor. My god... nothing like a good Balanchine classic!

[@waynemcknight2]

Quite a leap you had going there Mr. Clifford.! (I was 4th solo many years ago.}

[@rebeccacline4976]

IntendJoy2 1st mov Karin Von Aroldingen, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, 2nd mov Allegra Kent, Conrad Ludlow, 3rd mov Sara Leland, John Clifford, 4th mov Marnee Morris, Victor Castelli

[@alidalouisa4462]

Thank you!!

[@dawnmaloney190]

In the day, I knew all the dancers. Isn’t Merrile Ashley in second variation chore?

[@feathersforfun]

thanks John, Good for ones soul.so perfect a performance even on the concrete

[@rosannekatonwalden1620]

And an African-American ballerina in the company in 1973!!!! Yea

[@laurafrenkeltarrio3020]

Hermoso ballet,gran música y muchos recuerdos!Gracias!!!!!!!!!

[@dannymalboeuf1692]

Thanks for this. I remember it airing on PBS on September 6th 1981. Been wanting to see it again ever since.

[@scottgilmore7319]

OMG!!!!!!! The Best❤️❤️❤️

[@christinestill5002]

First Balanchine I've instantly loved but this performance is many yrs old. I'm going to watch Zakharova do it next. Love the white anklets on the boys.

[@jcliff26]

What gloves? And Zakharova does the 2nd Mov way too slow. Completely destroys it.

[@microwave6782]

@@jcliff26 they're oboist wasn't good enough to make the slower tempo sound as beautiful as intended plus as steady tempo in 2nd would help.

[@jcliff26]

@@philzmusic8098 What destroys the choreography?

[@jcliff26]

Those are white socks and Zakharova ruins it by the glacial tempo she insists on.

[@jcliff26]

@@philzmusic8098 It was Zakharova who insists on slow tempi. I’ve worked with her and the conductors there. It’s shameful.

[@jeanettegoldstein9575]

About as classical as can be these days. But really beautiful to listen and watch

[@robstockton911]

I like this piece so much, it gets at the excellence of Balenchine’s deep musicality. In this particular performance, I find myself distracted by the girl (second from the right at the beginning of the first movement) who is consistently slightly behind, often misaligned, and regularly making adjustments. Particularly frustrating because otherwise the performance is great throughout. 🤷🏼‍♂

[@kathymyers7279]

Pure joy!

[@ludwigvanbachmaninoff1981]

This presentation is so brilliant. What a pity to know that Bizet never had a chance to publicly perform this symphony in his lifetime.

[@grafplaten]

It was a student piece and he copied his teacher Gounod in many details in this work. He never sought a performance of the work and didn't wish for it to be published.

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

​@@grafplaten maybe he didn't thought that this music could become such a beautiful ballet ? ballet was not technically perfect at his time, only a work in progress ..... even Carmen had became a ballet !

[@porgiamor]

Bravo John! 😊

[@user-dl1yc8cb4l]

I think this might be my fave performance by Allegra Kent.

[@user-ki2iq7zb6i]

Браво!

[@lindaclark9925]

18:21...john I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE BOOK

[@feathersforfun]

prefer these Karinska costumes to the new ones

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

Oh wow! That must have been on German TV (because 3Sat is German channel). I‘m going to watch more 3Sat now

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

Inane question, maybe, but where were the cameos of von Aroldingen and Bonnefoux in the fourth movement? Or maybe the First Movement couple never had cameos. Though I can't believe my memory of all those NYCB live performances is that defective. Thanks for clarifying. And thanks again for posting this astonishingly beautiful epic poem. Admire your great work in the Third Movement.

[@jcliff26]

Yes you’re right but that entrance of 1st Mov couple in the Finale was cut in the Berlin film because of time. It’s still there in the stage version.

[@michaelbrodsky1221]

@@jcliff26 Thanks for responding--yes, I'd thought that what you describe was in fact the case. Good to know I haven't lost my memory. Thought Marnee Morris was wonderful in movement 4 and couldn't help thinking about her tragically abbreviated career

[@annabuchenhorst]

@@jcliff26 interesting, I am a pianist and was wondering why my music didn't fit, thanks for that!

[@mariaelenap8662]

marvellous

[@erpollock]

It's amazing to see a ballet that Balanchine himself supervised from 1973 when he was actively choreographing and holding company class. They are perfect. Who is the dancer in the first part?

[@jcliff26]

First movement is led by Karin von Aroldingen and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux.

[@marymellowdew-bo3bh]

​@@jcliff26As best as I can recall, when I saw him dance in the 70s his last name was spelled Bonnefous, ending in s, not x. I recall that because I was not sure whether the s was silent in his case. Now I see it with an x, which I know is silent. Do you know if he changed the spelling at some point?

[@jcliff26]

@@marymellowdew-bo3bh Yes he did.

[@Mary-ty1qj]

I haven't seen Symphony in C in a while, and it was one of the first ballets I ever saw - and have loved forever. In this wonderful video, the dancers seem to have more energy in performance than I've seen recently, but I could be wrong. It moves - which is a silly thing to say about a ballet since that's what dancing is - but there's a pressing forward, an energy, that I don't remember seeing in a while. Also the costumes are different. The white tutus always glowed but someone added "crystals" to the tutus, which someone must have thought was beautiful - or a marketing device - and it's okay, I guess, but I didn't think that was necessary. It was a treat to watch this. (Did I see Merrill Ashley in there?)

[@jcliff26]

Yes you’re right about everything and Merrill is a demi-soloist in 3rd movement behind me and Sara Leland.

[@feathersforfun]

Karin& Bonnefous Bizet 1, yea they are in 4th movement too

[@josephlewis6181]

Why do I like this ballet?

[@jcliff26]

What’s not to like? A perfect display of classical technique that both matches and enhances the music. Dance doesn’t always need to tell a story much the same way a symphony doesn’t. Why is a rose beautiful, or a sunset?

[@adelasussman3838]

Who are the soloists (female and male) in this ballet other than Allegra Kent and Karin von Aroldingen?

[@brendadufaur37]

I would love to know the process of choreographing this ballet. The enormous cast! Does he have all the dancers in the studio as he is creating? How long are the choreographic sessions. And how long did it take to choreograph? I can't imagine it!

[@fluffywuffykinsies]

I read it took him only two weeks!

[@radiantonion8615]

Allegra...Conrad...Debra...Delia..Hermes....the awful white socks and black shoes combination....Clifford and Sara Leland (John was so great, Sally too) omg Merrill..Bart....Richard...Renee...Victor....Marnee...Stephen Caras...sorry to leave so many out..kinda blurry...cool video

[@pedinurse1]

Those white socks were a thing then, everyone liked it, it was different.

[@salomonbenavides529]

2:11

[@salomonbenavides529]

Fsvor traducir s español gracias. 3:04

[@alki.paraskevas9527]

Only ONE. BALANCHINE

[@pedinurse1]

can you tell us who are the dancers. i remember when the curtain went up the audience would always gasp. The lighting and those dancers was exquisite......Just the sheer enjoyment of ballet, no agenda.

[@jcliff26]

1. Karin von Aroldingen and Jean Pierre Bonnefoux
2. Allegra Kent and Conrad Ludlow
3. Sara Leland and John Clifford
4. Marnee Morris and Victor Castelli

[@pedinurse1]

Karen was one of my favorites, she stood out on stage, so strong so vibrant, what an excelent dancer

[@simaraft7373]

How did I not see this before?! It is just awesome. It can never be repeated. Better film quality than I've seen before too. Can't thank you enough. BTW who is the black ballerina? Deborah Austen? She is so beautiful in her quiet way. Lovely epaulement.

[@jcliff26]

Sima Raft Yes. It's Debra Austin in corp of 2nd Mov.

[@chocolatesouljah]

Thanks for the clarification.

[@cristianrey1032]

@@jcliff26 What a joyful performance, Mr Clifford! Thanks for this jewel, and a question. How was the re invention process of this ballet? I have seen the POB version, and the are indeed MANY differences, particularly at the end of the second and fourth movements. Do you think that Mr B would had agreed on having his previous version presented today, as POB still does under Le Palais de Cristal name...?

[@jcliff26]

Cristian Rey He wouldn’t care as they had the contract for Palais de Crystal.

[@cristianrey1032]

@@jcliff26 Thank you for your answer, Mr Clifford. Although I was thinking not so much about legal but rather into Mr B's artistic vision. Given than some of his works today are presented in more than one form, and in some cases in completely different versions-(as with Valse Fantaisie) or reworked ones-(Apollo, Le Palais de Cristal)- I was curious to know if he was very rigid in how his ultimate vision of his ballets needed to be staged. Or in other words...did he completely discard, artistically speaking, of previous, older versions of his own works.? Thanks!

[@Witfrenci]

Dear John do you know why there are some differences between the NYCB choreography end the one from POB? Thank you very much 💖

[@jcliff26]

Balanchine completely redid it for the NYCB.

[@Witfrenci]

@@jcliff26 Thanks 🙏 I love both versions

[@mayermargolis8990]

How about mentioning the Composer, Georges Bizet?

[@AnnabellaEdeL]

Who is the ballerina on the first movement? Is she C voy Arnoldingen?

[@jcliff26]

Yes. Karin von Aroldingen. Violette Verdy usually did it and was magnificent.

[@AnnabellaEdeL]

Thanks for answering! And who's the one in the third movement? She looks so familiar but can't remember her name

[@jcliff26]

@@AnnabellaEdeL Sara Leland, with me.

[@AnnabellaEdeL]

Cool!

[@salomonbenavides529]

3:59 4:00

[@Hazeltinne]

so you'll be an Austrian nobleman...

[@jcliff26]

Don’t understand.

[@Hazeltinne]

@@jcliff26 there is a song called "symphony in c" that starts like that

[@jcliff26]

@@Hazeltinne Oh. Okay.

[@ot8479]

BORING CHOREOGRAPHY AND OVER USE OF THE HANDS AND WRISTS TO ANNOYING POINTS. AND JEEZ, TALK ABOUT SEGREGATION AND RACISM.

[@rayhelinski6662]

if you're bored jlo and the fly girls would probably better suit your taste

[@EVZYL]

Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL performance. Thanks so much for uploading. If I were allowed to only watch one ballet for the rest of my life, this would be it!

[@jd3422]

An absolute dream of a ballet: the perfect pairing of music and dance. This is my all-time favorite ballet.

[@philipkuttner7945]

As lovely a ballet as ever graced the stage. All of it is wonderful, but I must say something special about the passage beginning at 11:06. The sublime dancing here makes one feel fully what heights of unearthly beauty Bizet's music reaches. It brings tears to my eyes. (On another note, hot damn, Mr. Clifford! You sure can dance!)

[@SuperEfexor]

Thank thank thank a million of times, for posting this splendour

[@erinmatt]

Allegra Kent in the second movement is sensational!

[@erinmatt]

And I love John Clifford's entrance at the beginning of the third. Such boyish enthusiasm and elan. Catches your eye immediately.

[@JohnPJones-yv1sj]

Thanks for posting this. I lovelovelove Allegra!!

[@glendagallardo5777]

Thanks a lot for all the videos from Violette.

[@tkoran]

Really amazing! Especially knowing it's on a concrete floor! Ugh! John, you are outstanding! Loved watching you in 3rd movement! Who was your partner? Allegra is so lovely, such an incredible dancer. No one else like her. Thanks for posting this perfect rendition of the Balanchine masterpiece!

[@renatoparonidecastro6498]

It is Sara Leland.

[@carlenamoss8955]

Thank you, that's gorgeous

[@briansolan5060]

Wonderful!

[@LeCanalBarbaraAnne]

beautiful

[@jamesreardon726]

oh my fnnng word....
BRAVO, agin,
Jiimmy

[@unsatura]

the third movement is always where i find other companies begin to fail miserably, where as the 1st and 2nd might be just boring, but comes the third, that's when i start worrying if someone is gonna break an ankle... i have seen quite a few which tempo was too slow so the small jumps are comfortable and clean but they die when the jumps get big, or companies find small dancers so the small jumps are fast enough but the big jumps are not very spectacular, arms and legs just were just not long .....
great recording...

[@IceAintNice]

Boring? ROFLMAO

[@tkoran]

I love Allegra; wish I could see this with Suzanne.

[@karennoble1168]

Very beautiful but I tend to prefer the Bolshoi ballet production but watch both. Each has its own beauty.
Lovely G.Bizet music.

[@minissa2009]

Holy cow, John, why weren't you off with the Royal Danish doing Bournonville? What ballon!

[@davidsmith3935]

Like watching tv... men’s costume looks like long underwear

[@pedinurse1]

that was the style back then, it looked great from where we were sitting

[@sanniepstein4835]

Much better than white tights, which really do look like long johns.

[@waynemcknight2]

who are the dancers

[@jcliff26]

IntendJoy2 1st mov Karin Von Aroldingen, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, 2nd mov Allegra Kent, Conrad Ludlow, 3rd mov Sara Leland, John Clifford, 4th mov Marnee Morris, Victor Castelli

[@merlinspillers4743]

All these names are now legends and I feel So Lucky that I saw most of them in person. I also saw John Clifford's move to Los Angeles when he began a ballet company there and it was so fascinating to watch him mold dancers into people who could dance but not really perform into wonderfully amazing dancers of star quality.

[@paulinacortes-delorenzo4490]

Like you, I saw these wonderful dancers, too, including Jacques D'Amboise, Suzanne Farrell, and Peter Martins. I still have a vivid memory of Karin Von Aroldingen performing Agon. As a young professional in the humanities field and a newly-minted New Yorker from Southeast Asia, I did not earn much but always saved up for season tickets to the NYCB and the Philharmonic. 1972-1976. Have been far away for so long, but when I visited New York last October, 2014, I went to see the All Balanchine matinee. Serenade was the featured performance and I cried over how much I have missed all those years!

[@BohoHobo948]

Bravo! That was great! Thankyou John for posting.

[@Sylvettejiun]

IntendJoy2 w

[@raymonda5476]

Why are they dancing on a cement floor?

[@jcliff26]

Because in those days all TV studios had cement floors.

[@exaudi33]

Sublime. Thank you so much this glorious upload!