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Welcome to City Ballet The Podcast, an exploration of New York City Ballet introduced by Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, where we'll journey through our history, delve into our new and existing repertory, and reveal insider tidbits.

The Rosin Box with Claire Kretzschmar and Aarón Sanz

The Rosin Box gives you the opportunity to listen in on candid conversations with members of the New York City Ballet. Hosted by NYCB Soloist Aarón Sanz and recently retired Soloist Claire Kretzschmar, these episodes take you behind-the-scenes, offering you exclusive insight into the lives of the Company’s dancers.

New Combinations with Wendy Whelan

During our performance season, New York City Ballet showcases recent works from some of the most influential choreographers working today. Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan hosts the New Combinations episodes, where she talks to the choreographers and other artists behind the unique new works premiering this season at New York City Ballet.

Hear the Dance 

Explore our expansive repertory, from the earliest Balanchine works to more recent classics, with an insider’s take on the Company’s rich history with Hear the Dance. Taking on a new ballet each episode, the host is joined by many key players, from original cast members to ballet masters to current NYCB dancers, who share their personal experiences performing and coaching works from our illustrious repertory.

See the Music with Andrew Litton

In See the Music, New York City Ballet’s Music Director Andrew Litton takes us off the stage and into the orchestra pit, giving listeners an in-depth look at the scores from some of our most notable ballets, featuring discussions with both orchestra members and commissioned composers.

Jan 13, 2020

In the lead-up to the return of Balanchine’s Firebird later this month, Silas Farley is joined by former NYCB Principal Dancer Merrill Ashley for this episode of Hear the Dance. They discuss her recollections of Firebird from early childhood memories of seeing Maria Tallchief dance the role at Jacob’s Pillow through her 30-plus years as a dancer at NYCB, including her own performances as a monster, a maiden, and in the ballet’s title role. Merrill reminisces with Silas about preparations for the Stravinsky Festival in 1972 and the spectacle created by the combination of Chagall’s exotic designs, Karinska’s beautifully hand-crocheted costumes, and the increasingly difficult-to-maneuver wings for the Firebird, as well as her recent work teaching Balanchine’s choreography around the world. (42:25)

Music
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky
Firebird Suite for Orchestra (1945), from Firebird (1910) by Igor Stravinsky Performed by the New York City Ballet Orchestra

Reading List
America’s Prima Ballerina by Maria Tallchief
Dancing for Balanchine by Merrill Ashley
Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes by Lynn Garafola