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Peck Revives Grand Ballet Tradition at City Ballet
6 May
Summary
- Tiler Peck choreographs a new ballet for 40 dancers.
- The new work aims to revive the grand scale of Balanchine ballets.
- Peck balances her dancer role with a growing choreography career.
New York City Ballet dancer Tiler Peck is embarking on an ambitious revival of grand-scale classical ballet with her latest commission, "Symphonie Espagnole." The new work, set to Édouard Lalo's music, features a substantial cast of 40 dancers, a scale rarely seen in contemporary classical ballet. Peck was inspired by the large, structured ballets of George Balanchine, aiming to recreate that sense of clockwork chaos and full-stage presence.
Peck, who has been with the company for 22 years, is increasingly recognized for her choreography. Her new ballet emphasizes giving each dancer a full experience, a departure from newer works that often feature smaller ensembles. "Symphonie Espagnole" aims for a captivating finale, something Peck felt was lacking in recent choreographies.
The creation process has involved extensive rehearsal, with Peck pushing dancers to embrace complexity and daring. She has also adapted her own choreographic approach, learning patience and understanding diverse learning styles. The ballet's costumes also break tradition, with a mix of tutus and chiffon skirts converging in the finale, reflecting Peck's desire for innovation within classical forms.
