NYCB's program of contrasts makes a full-course meal

Emma Von Enck and Jules Mabie in George Balanchine's Scotch Symphony

KJ Takahashi in Justin Peck's Belles-Lettres

Ashley Hod and Aarón Sanz in Jerome Robbins' Glass Pieces

Mira Nadon and Preston Chamblee in Justin Peck's Belles-Lettres

By Ivy Lin, 27 April 2025

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“her harebell delicacy belied a surprising strength”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: David H Koch Theater, New York City on 26 April 2025

Scotch Symphony (George Balanchine)

Belles-Lettres (Justin Peck)

Glass Pieces (Jerome Robbins)

New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet Orchestra

Emma Von Enck, Dancer

Jules Mabie, Dancer

KJ Takahashi, Dancer

Ashley Hod, Dancer

Aarón Sanz, Dancer

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Ivy Lin, 25th April

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

Ballet for cowboys and soldiers at Kansas City Ballet

Hilary Stroh, 20th March

Kansas City Ballet celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary with three American ballets. Balanchine's Stars and Stripes, de Mille's Rodeo and a new work by Caili Quan, A Home Away.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

A spectacular triple bill lifts ABT’s spring season in New York

Leigh Donlan, 13th March

A finely curated triple bill from American Ballet Theatre included works from Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky.

****1

Understatement and spectacle at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 26th February

Jerome Robbins' Dances at a Gathering and George Balanchine's Diamonds make a study in contrasts. With lots of debuts in the former and seasoned leads in the latter.

*****

Fast Forward: Hamburg Ballet’s mixed bill proves a mixed success

Vikki Jane Vile, 22nd February

All that glistens... the world premiere of Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean is the highlight of a mixed bill programme spanning 90 years of choreography.

***11

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Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin's love of ballet began in high school when at the school dance she quickly realized she had two left feet. One always admires things one cannot do, and so Ivy began to attend dance performances to marvel at the grace and beauty of bodies in motion. Ivy's day job is a biology teacher and after a long day in the classroom she loves to unwind by watching dance. She also enjoys theater, opera, pop and classical music. Ivy has her own blog (www.humbledandoverwhelmed,blogspot.com)