Oberon's Glade

Tag: Amy Young

  • Paul Taylor Has Passed Away

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    Above: dancer Amy Young rehearsing with Paul Taylor

    Paul Taylor, one of the greatest choreographers of all time, has passed away at the age of 88. His catalog of danceworks includes several masterpieces, and his wide-ranging musical choices leave us with an eclectic repertoire ranging from PDQ Bach to Charles Ives, from Edgard Varèse to The Mamas & Papas.

    I was a confirmed lover of classical ballet when my first view of Paul Taylor’s choreography came in 1981 with ABT performing AIRS:

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    In the Summer of 1982, the Paul Taylor Company were at Jacob’s Pillow, and that was my first experience of seeing a contemporary dance troupe. I fell in love with CLOVEN KINGDOM, and with several of the dancers:

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    In the years that followed, we trekked to see Taylor at the Pillow – sometimes 3 or 4 times per Summer. Once I’d moved to New York City, the annual Taylor season became an essential part of life. In recent seasons, the Company have added works by other choreographers to their repertory whilst keeping the Taylor classics fresh and vibrant.

    As the years have passed by, several Taylor dancers have become choreographers in their own right; others have become teachers, or stagers of the Taylor rep. This ever-expanding Taylor family will keep the choreographer’s legacy alive.

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    Above: dancers Annmaria Mazzini and Michael Trusnovec with Paul Taylor in rehearsal.

    ~ Oberon

  • Paul Taylor – Creative Domain

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    Above: Paul Taylor takes a bow with dancers Amy Young and Eran Bugge after a 2011 performance of CLOVEN KINGDOM; photo by Kokyat

    Paul Taylor – Creative Domain, a documentary film about the great American choreographer, will open at Film Society of Lincoln Center on September 11th, 2015, with showings thru September 17th. Thereafter, the film – which centers on the creation of Taylor’s 133rd dancework, Three Dubious Memories (2010) – will be seen in cities across the USA.

    The Lincoln Center showtimes may be viewed here.