Suzanne Farrell

The most celebrated American ballerina of her generation, Suzanne Farrell was a young student from Cincinnati when, at age 15, she first auditioned for the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. She danced a section of Glazunov's The Seasons, humming her own accompaniment, and the notorious perfectionist was charmed. Her talent shone from the moment she joined the New York City Ballet, where she would became Balanchine's "inspiring angel" and partner in the development of the most glorious ballets of our time. Over the next 25 years, with her artful manner and dignity, she proved that any movement could be unimaginably beautiful and mysterious. Balanchine choreographed some of his greatest works for her, including Movements for Piano and Orchestra, his full-length Don Quixote, and his final masterpiece, Mozartiana. This partnership with a demanding and temperamental mentor was a turbulent one. Farrell left the New York City Ballet for several years in the early 1970s, but the choreographer and his star were ultimately reconciled and he created his last works for her. Since Balanchine's death, Suzanne Farrell has been a tireless guardian of Balanchine's artistic legacy. Arthritis put an end to her performing career in 1989, but she remains constantly active in the world of ballet, teaching Balanchine's works to companies around the globe. This "choreographer's ideal," critic's dream and public star has been saluted as "simply the greatest dancer of our century... and one of the most important who ever lived." This podcast was recorded during her appearance at the Academy of Achievement's 1987 Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona.