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