Paul Taylor Dance Company

"Dust", "Private Domain", "Piazzolla Caldera"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
November 16, 2019, evening

The three Taylor works in this program were all, in different ways, sardonic but sympathetic observations of loneliness and isolation.  This emotional downer did seem fitting, for this season is the final one for several Taylor dancers (Michelle Fleet, Parisa Khobdeh, Sean Mahoney, and Jamie Rae Walker – Robert Kleinendorst will retire later this year) and for

"Airs", "Sunset", "Syzygy"
Paul Taylor American Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
November 9, 2019, evening

For its annual New York season the Taylor Company has not adopted the idea of themed triple bills, where the same dances are performed together.  This may be easier on the schedulers, but it does limit and repertory, and a repertory as rich as Taylor's deserved to be seen from all angles.  The Saturday night performance

"Aureole", "Troilus and Cressida (reduced)", "Last Look", "Beloved Renegade"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
November 5, 2019

The second Paul Taylor Memorial Performance (the free event was given twice) included an impressive range of Taylor's works, from the sublime "Aureole", the silly "Troilus and Cressida (reduced)", the harrowing "Last Look", and ended with the new Artistic Director Michael Novak's farewell performance in "Beloved Renegade".  He received a

"Brandenburgs", "Rewilding", "Cascade"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Neidorff-Karpati Hall
Manhattan School of Music
New York, New York
June 23, 2019, matinee

The final performance of the Paul Taylor Company's part of the Orchestra of St. Luke's Bach Festival was a heartfelt farewell for many in the packed audience, as it was their last chance to see so many members of the company Taylor molded by the choreographer – six members are retiring soon and it will inevitably be

"Junction", "all at once", "Promethean Fire"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Neidorff-Karpati Hall
Manhattan School of Music
New York, New York
June 7, 2019

The Orchestra of St. Luke's is presenting a three-week festival of Bach's music in various New York City venues, including the elegantly restored theater at the Manhattan School of Music where the Paul Taylor Dance Company is performing all six of Taylor's works set to the composer.  The company's first

"Dances of Isadora", "The Beauty in Gray", "Piazzolla Caldera"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 21, 2018

With recorded music and a solo piano on the program, the orchestra got the snowy evening off, though most of the audience, buoyed by a $10 snowstorm special, braved the weather and responded enthusiastically.  The program ranged from Isadora Duncan to Bryan Arias' 2018 "The Beauty in Gray", and also included

"Aureole", "Changes", "Eventide", "Piazzolla Caldera"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
David H. Koch Theater
New York, New York
March 17, 2018, matinee

The generously programmed matinee had four substantial pieces, from the breakthrough "Aureole" (1962) to the more recent "Changes" (2008), in addition to two powerful works from 1997, "Eventide" and "Piazzolla Caldera". While "Changes", to songs by the Mamas and the Papas, was enthusiastic, the earlier works were richer and more imaginative, showing Taylor's magnificent ability to evoke mood

"Arden Court", "Banquet of Vultures", "Promethean Fire"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 6, 2018

The three dances performed on the Paul Taylor Dance Company's opening night, which thanks to $5 tickets and an outstanding program, was packed, had various views of light. "Arden Court", from 1981, showed Taylor at his sunniest, "Banquet of Vultures" (2006) with its candles piercing the darkness, shown a clear and uncompromising light on despair,

Le Sacre du Printemps (the Rehearsal)", "The Open Door", "Brandenburgs"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 26, 2017, matinee

The final performance of Paul Taylor's New York season featured three Taylor works set to great music (by Stravinsky, Elgar, and Bach), outstanding dancing, and one farewell, as Francisco Graciano make his last New York appearance with the company.  The afternoon opened with Taylor's oblique take on

"Continuum", "Ports of Call", "Syzygy"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 24, 2017

In addition to the standard two new Taylor pieces, Paul Taylor's recent New York seasons have featured works by other choreo- graphers, with predictably mixed results.  Lila York, whose "Continuum" had its New York premiere this season, danced with Taylor in the 1970s and 1980s, and has choreographed many pieces since retiring from dancing.  

"Danbury Mix", "Ports of Call", "Black Tuesday"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 18, 2017, evening 

Paul Taylor's takes on heroic and absurd America were on view Saturday night, as each work dealt with aspects of American life.  "Danbury Mix", choreographed in 1988 for the New York City Ballet's American Music Festival, combines (or mixes) three excerpts from pieces by Charles Ives (of Danbury, Connecticut, the