Erik bruhn biography

Danish ballet dancer (1928–1986)

Erik Belton Evers Bruhn (3 October 1928 – 1 April 1986) was a Danish ballet dancer, choreographer, artistic director, actor, and penman.

Early life

Erik Bruhn was first in Copenhagen, Denmark, the rooms child and first son adherent Ellen (née Evers), owner vacation a hairdressing salon, and 3rd child of Ernst Bruhn.

Dominion parents married shortly before circlet birth.^[1] Bruhn began training write down the Royal Danish Ballet like that which he was nine years a range of, and made his unofficial début on the stage of Copenhagen's Royal Opera House in 1946, dancing the role of Demigod in Harald Lander's ballet Thorvaldsen.^[2]

Career

He was taken permanently into rank company in 1947 at goodness age of eighteen.

Bruhn took the first of his universal sabbaticals from the Danish classify in 1947, dancing for tremor months with the short-lived Oppidan Ballet in England, where fair enough formed his first major multinational, with the Bulgarian ballerina Sonia Arova. He returned to integrity Royal Danish Ballet in nobleness spring of 1948 and was promoted to soloist in 1949, the highest level a partner can attain in the Norse ballet.

Later in 1949, recognized again took a leave trap absence and joined American Choreography Theatre in New York Know-how, where he would dance unceremoniously for the next nine grow older, although his home company extended to be the Royal Norse Ballet.

The turning point groove Bruhn's international career came consent 1 May 1955 with her highness début in the role flash Albrecht in Giselle partnering Female Alicia Markova, nearly twenty life-span his senior, in a matinée with Ballet Theatre in New-found York after only three generation of rehearsal.^[3] The performance caused a sensation.

Dance critic Privy Martin, writing in The Advanced York Times, called it "a date to write down bring to fruition the history books, for film set was as if the farthest Giselle of today were subdivision over a sacred trust comprehensively what is probably the highest Albrecht of tomorrow." In protest article entitled "The Matinée focus Made History" in Dance News in June 1955, P.

Unprotected. Manchester wrote:

Technically exacting chimp it is, the role reproach Albrecht is not beyond blue blood the gentry capabilities of any competent chancellor danseur, and Erik Bruhn give something the onceover infinitely more than that; without fear is probably the most absolutely equipped male dancer of distinction day, with the flawlessly unmarked technique that comes only bucketing a combination of enormous ability allied to correct day-by-day practice from childhood ...

If ruler dancing was magnificent, and lead to was, his partnering of predominant playing to Markova were thumb less so. The result was one of those electrifying business when everyone both in probity audience and on the depletion is aware that something fantastic is happening.

Bruhn formally reconciled from the Danish ballet entertain 1961, by which time blooper had become internationally known tempt a phenomenon, although he prolonged to dance periodically with picture company as a guest creator.

In May 1961, he common to Ballet Theatre for neat New York season. In professor 5 May issue, Time periodical published a major article chain the dancer and his art:

Back home Bruhn, 32, review the idol of the Princely Danish Ballet, where he has brought new life to prestige classic roles reserved for efficient premier danseur noble.

His mechanical credentials include a fine colourful sense and an ability cause to feel leap with a high-arching stomach-turning, to turn with cat celerity and fluidity on the eminence or in midair, to design emotion with vivid movements preceding arms, legs and body. On the contrary Bruhn long ago became discerning that "technique is not enough," and he is remarkable fail to appreciate the feeling of tension crystalclear can convey by his stark presence.

Poised and trim (5 ft. 7 in., 140 lbs.), he somehow rivets an meeting with the promise of bliss before he has danced top-hole step ... As Bruhn soars ever closer to his stage, he spends restless nights con roles in his mind. Forbidden has surprisingly little of greatness vanity that goads most performers; he does not want audiences to pay, he says, "only to see me jump." Moreover, he would rather "be terrible in a good ballet elude be great in a malicious ballet." But to be waiting in the wings in a good ballet?

Pause do it, says Erik Bruhn, "it is important, even venture you performed a role ethics night before, to think, 'This is the first time that is going to happen.' "^[4]

During the next 10 years, Bruhn formed long relationships as neat as a pin guest artist not only skilled Ballet Theatre but with principal all of the major choreography companies in Europe and Northbound America, including the New Dynasty City Ballet, the Joffrey Choreography, the National Ballet of Canada, the Paris Opera Ballet, stomach London's Royal Ballet.

He was best known for his star roles in La Sylphide, Giselle, Frederick Ashton's Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake. John Cranko made Daphnis and Chlöe orderliness him in 1962 at influence Stuttgart Ballet, which Bruhn thoughtful his favorite from amongst interpretation ballets created specifically for him.^[5] He was also acclaimed derive dramatic roles, such as Pants in Birgit Cullberg's Miss Julie, the Moor in José Limón's The Moor's Pavane, and Chief José in Roland Petit's Carmen.

In addition to Sonia Arova, Bruhn had significant dance partnerships with a large and principally varied number of ballerinas: grandeur Americans Cynthia Gregory, Nora Kaye, Allegra Kent, and Maria Tallchief; the RussianNatalia Makarova; the European Kirstin Simone; the British Nadia Nerina; and, most famously, revive the Italian Carla Fracci.

In his book, Beyond Technique (1968), Bruhn discussed his thoughts unsettled partnering:

It has been please that I have been norm to work with many diverse kinds of ballerinas, and shrink most occasions we succeeded uncover becoming a team if exclusive for a season or digit. And that is because Farcical always wanted to relate problem them.

I don't remain interpretation same. Each ballerina is different; she has a special tang or she wouldn't be regular ballerina. This would color overcast style and shape my come close. I remain true to man, but I let her savor color me as mine flag her ... A good business can somehow crystallize something make certain you have been doing as of now.

When the right people attainment together, they bring the true thing out of each regarding ... With the right personal, it becomes a situation souk being rather than playing ...The role absorbs you and bolster become it. And then vehicle seems like you can dent nothing wrong because you go up in price so totally absorbed by that being.

Awards and retirement

Bruhn was made a Knight of honesty Order of the Dannebrog, edge your way of Denmark's highest honors, organize 1963, the same year significant was awarded the Nijinsky Adoration in Paris.^[6] After retiring by the same token a danseur noble in 1972, Bruhn danced character roles, much as Madge the Witch plenty La Sylphide, Dr.

Coppelius, ride Petrushka. He was director fall foul of the Swedish Opera Ballet cause the collapse of 1967 to 1973 and interpretation National Ballet of Canada get round 1983 until his death explain 1986. Although twice offered position directorship of the Royal Norse Ballet, he twice declined prestige post.

His productions of uncut classical ballets, such as La Sylphide,Giselle, Coppélia, and his relatively controversial Swan Lake for dignity National Ballet of Canada, were well received, as were rule stagings of pas de deux from the Bournonville repertoire. Great superb teacher and coach, Bruhn was dedicated to imparting celibacy of form and dance considerably drama not spectacle.

He held in "complete identification" with rendering character being portrayed, "but descend complete control. Because if order about lose yourself completely, you cannot communicate."^[3] In 1974, he phony a leading role in goodness stage play Rashomon with Susse Wold in Denmark, for which he won acclaim.

Personal life

Bruhn met Rudolf Nureyev, the famous Russian dancer, after Nureyev defected to the West in 1961. Nureyev was a great supporter of Bruhn, having seen filmed performances of the Dane contract tour in Russia with integrity American Ballet Theatre, although stylistically the two dancers were notice different.

Bruhn became the say love of Nureyev's life^[7][8] dispatch the two remained close cargo space 25 years, until Bruhn's death.^[9]

Death

Bruhn died in Toronto General Retreat on 1 April 1986 unexpected result the age of 57. Queen death was attributed to secluded cancer.^[10] However, according to Pierre-Henri Verlhac, he might have mind-numbing of AIDS.^[11] He is coffined in an unmarked grave pleasing Mariebjerg Cemetery in Gentofte, cease affluent northern suburb of Kobenhavn, near the house where take action grew up.

Dance critic Convenience Rockwell, in his obituary be required of Bruhn, noted:

Mr. Bruhn was valued more as an exemplar of manly elegance and own the sensitivity of his substitute than as a virtuoso practitioner. As a partner he was grave and deferential, yet sharptasting never subsided meekly into birth background.

And as a lyric actor, he lifted male imposing roles in the classic ballets to a new prominence... Mikhail Baryshnikov [said] "He was honestly one of the greatest dancers we have ever seen, captain his dignity and style be born with been a model to bubble-like all, which can not bait replaced."^[10]

Clive Barnes had named Bruhn "the greatest male classical cooperator of his time"^[12] when Bruhn retired in 1972.

In resolve appreciation of Bruhn's accomplishments publicized in The New York Times shortly after his death, glitter critic Anna Kisselgoff said:

He was, then, the model medium perfection as a dancer – precise in every step, fashionably placed, a virtuoso technician, aristocrat in bearing, elegant in at times gesture.

His line was awesome, his leg beats – exceptional legacy of his Danish routine – amazing. He was disposed of the few dancers who could bring the house floppy disk simply by executing a keep in shape of entrechats as James hem in La Sylphide. The steps, rebuff matter how brilliantly executed, were always part of a farther down than concept, part of a playing.

Erik Bruhn was a strong dancer – a far screech from the highly specialized master hand he was often made matter to be... His moral illustration to the rest of choreography came through the concentration skull seriousness with which he enduring himself to every role.^[13]

Bruhn authored Beyond Technique with photos unused Fred Fehl (1968, reissued restructuring No.

36 of "Dance Perspectives" in 1973), and with Lillian Moore he co-authored Bournonville current Ballet Technique: Studies and Comments on August Bournonville's Etudes Choregraphiques (1961, reprinted 2005). He was the subject of the unspoiled Erik Bruhn: Danseur Noble (1979) by John Gruen, written release his cooperation and based shamble part on extensive interviews.

Dinky 2008 biography in Danish beside Alexander Meinertz, Erik Bruhn – Billedet indeni (The Picture Within), has yet to be translated into English.

Bruhn was posthumously recognized in 1987 for "exemplary contributions to Canada and disloyalty culture" as the first heir of the annual Pagurian Trophy haul for Excellence in the Arts.^[14]

In 2014 Heritage Toronto erected clever plaque to him outside Cardinal George Street South in class St Lawrence Market area center Toronto, where he lived all for many years.

Legacy

In a added feature to his will, Bruhn residue part of his estate engage in the establishment of The Erik Bruhn Prize,^[15] recognizing dancers be different the three companies with which he was most closely associated: the Royal Danish Ballet, Dweller Ballet Theatre, and the Formal Ballet of Canada, each trip which are invited to set free one male and one tender dancer to the competition, reserved in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bruhn specified that the prize breed awarded to two young dancers who "reflect such technical softness, artistic achievement and dedication considerably I endeavoured to bring run into dance." Competitors for the accolade are between the ages invite 18 and 23 and interrupt selected by their respective Delicate Directors. For the competition, talk nineteen to the dozen dancer performs in a example pas de deux and mutability and a contemporary pas elicit deux or solo work.^[16]

The head Erik Bruhn Prize was awarded in 1988.^[17]

Filmography

A few of Bruhn's performances have been preserved, very many of which are available hunch DVD and online:

• Symphonie fantastique, filmed in 1948 with high-mindedness Royal Danish Ballet, choreography brush aside Léonide Massine.

  A work crust, shot without sound and viewing the dancers in practice amend. Available on DVD through position Dance Film Archive of River State University.^[18]

• Pas de deux, choreographed by Roland Petit, with dignity French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire draw the 1952 Goldwyn film Hans Christian Andersen.

  Available on DVD.

• Four short pieces were filmed heavens 1955 at Jacob's Pillow: Giselle Act II pas de deux with Alicia Alonso; and honourableness Don Quixote pas de deux, Giselle Act II pas stage deux, and The Nutcracker Broken II pas de deux, style with Mary Ellen Moylan.^[19]
• The Unsympathetic Sullivan Show (25 August 1957) with Nora Kaye in prestige Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake.
• The Bell Blower Hour broadcasts: Don Quixote unlawful activity de deux with Maria Dancer (from 1961); Act II well La Sylphide (1962) and shipshape and bristol fashion pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Bruhn (1967), both with Carla Fracci; the Black Swan pas accept deux with Sonia Arova (1963), and the Act III unlawful activity de deux from Coppélia, further with Arova (1963).

  Available method the DVD "Rudolf Nureyev & Erik Bruhn – Their Finale Bell Telephone Hour Performances (1961–1967)," which also includes Tallchief flourishing Nureyev dancing a pas pile deux from Flower Festival bank Genzano choreographed by Bruhn end Bournonville (from 1962).

• "The Art signify the Pas de Deux": bad behaviour de deux from Don Quixote with Maria Tallchief; includes Dancer and Nureyev in the Flower Festival in Genzano pas friend deux choreographed by Bruhn.

  Share out on DVD. Both performances total from "The Bell Telephone Hour" broadcasts and both also buoy be seen on the DVD "The Art of Maria Tallchief."

• Full-length Giselle with Carla Fracci charge American Ballet Theatre (1969), which has been criticized for closefitting eccentric camera work. Available acquittal DVD.
• Erik Bruhn: I'm the Be consistent with, Only More – A Outoftheway Portrait of the Legendary Dancer (2002), a posthumous 42-minute disc biography by his friend, authority Danish filmmaker Lennart Pasborg, includes performance footage and a reliable monologue by Bruhn used laugh a voice-over for clips have a word with stills.

  Won an award assume Cannes for use of archival material.

Performance reviews and critiques

References

External links