Research Catalog

Interview with Sara Leland.

Title
Interview with Sara Leland. February 7, 1973, 1973.
Author
Leland, Sara, 1941-
Publication
1973

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2 Items

StatusVol/DateFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
disc 1AudioUse in library *MGZTL 4-168 disc 1Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance
disc 2AudioUse in library *MGZTL 4-168 disc 2Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance

Details

Additional Authors
Gruen, John
Description
2 sound discs (approximately one hour and 18 minutes): digital; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
  • Disc 1 (approximately 48 minutes). John Gruen speaks with Sara Leland [born Sally Harrington] about her career at New York City Ballet beginning with her family background, in Boston; briefly, her teacher Virginia Williams; the source of her name Sara Leland; her year dancing for Robert Joffrey including Joffrey as a teacher; the circumstances of her joining New York City Ballet including Williams' role in bringing her to the attention of George Balanchine; adjusting to the company; her thoughts on Balanchine and her status in the company; her roles when she was a soloist; her relationship with ballet master John Taras; her recent promotion to principal and Balanchine's creating a role for her in Symphony in three movements [Gruen speaks about a recent conversation with Suzanne Farrell]; Leland's thoughts on Suzanne Farrell [Gruen speaks about Balanchine and Farrell at the premiere of his Don Quixote]; Leland speaks further about her relationship with Balanchine; how she feels when she is performing including the importance of self-confidence [Gruen describes Leland's physical appearance]; her friends in the company including Kay [Mazzo]; [Gruen speaks about Peter Martins and Karin von Aroldingen]; Balanchine's classes; working with him in Symphony in three movements [ends abruptly].
  • Disc 2 (approximately 30 minutes). John Gruen and Sara Leland continue to speak about Leland's working with Balanchine; her thoughts when she is performing; Conrad [Ludlow] as the perfect partner; her friendship with John Clifford; her thoughts on marriage [Gruen recounts a recent conversation he had with Balanchine about his dancers]; what she might like to do once she retires from performing; working with Jerry [Jerome] Robbins on Dances at a gathering, in particular how this rescued her from a slump in her career; staging Robbins' work in London; discussion of performance of Dances at a gathering by the Royal Ballet [Gruen speaks about Robbins]; Leland speaks further about working with Balanchine including his sangfroid during the Stravinsky festival; her happiness with New York City Ballet, in particular with the choreography and the frequency with which she dances; some of her roles [Gruen speaks about Gelsey Kirkland].
Donor/Sponsor
Gift of John Gruen, April 1974
Subjects
Note
  • Interview with Sara Leland conducted by John Gruen on February 7, 1973 at her home in New York City. This interview was used as a basis for a chapter in John Gruen's book, The private world of ballet (New York, Viking Press).
  • For transcript, see: *MGZMT 3-168.
  • Sound quality is good. There is some extraneous noise and a few short gaps.
Funding (note)
  • The conservation and cataloging of this recording was made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The support of the National Endowment for the Arts is also gratefully acknowledged.
Call Number
*MGZTL 4-168
OCLC
80196501
Author
Leland, Sara, 1941- interviewee.
Title
Interview with Sara Leland. February 7, 1973, 1973.
Production
1973
Type of Content
spoken word
Type of Medium
audio
Type of Carrier
audio disc
Event
Recorded by John Gruen 1973, February 7 New York (New York)
Funding
The conservation and cataloging of this recording was made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The support of the National Endowment for the Arts is also gratefully acknowledged.
Original Version
Original format: one sound cassette (approximately one hour and 18 minutes); 1 7/8 ips. originally recorded on February 7, 1973; transferred to wav file and compact disc formats in 2013.
Local Note
Former classmark: *MGZTC 3-168
Added Author
Gruen, John, interviewer.
Gruen, John, donor
Research Call Number
*MGZTL 4-168
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