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Writer's pictureLauryn Johnson

Vail Dance Festival Vol. 1 No. 4 - A Suite of Dances

Updated: Apr 5


Baryshnikov, 1994. Unidentified photographer, please identify if recognized

"A Suite of Dances" was Robbins' first choreographic work in 5 years, created at the prompting of Baryshnikov: "Listen, if at some point you need a body to work with just give me a call," Baryshnikov remembers saying to Robbins who, at 76, was having a difficult time choreographing, battling vertigo and age. Baryshnikov himself was in his 40s and had undergone several knee operations. Robbins accepted Baryshnikov's offer and the two titans of dance worked on what became "Suite of Dances" for almost 2 years.


The ballet is set to Bach's Suite for Solo Cello and features the female cellist sitting onstage.  "It opened with Baryshnikov seated cross-legged on the floor at Sutter's [the cellists'] feet, establishing at once a relationship between the two of them. The piece he proceeded to make, while technically a solo, gained an extra dimension from the connection between the two performers."


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Baryshnikov and Robbins, 1994.


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