Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Jerome Robbins. Oct. 1960 [sound recording]

Author

Robbins, Jerome

Publication

1960.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Green, Johnny, 1908-1989.

Description

1 sound disc (ca. 63 min.) : digital; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

Johnny Green introduces Jerome Robbins; excerpt (ca. 3 min.) from recording of Leonard Bernstein's score for Robbins' ballet Fancy free (1944). [Pause.] Robbins discusses writing the scenario for Fancy free and getting it produced by the American Ballet Theatre; how he came to ask Bernstein to write the score; their manner of collaboration; Robbins explains his use of choreography in relation to a work as a whole; his method of working with dancers and his perfectionism; excerpt (ca. 2 min.) from Bach's Goldberg variations. [Pause.] Robbins discusses his conception of West Side story; working with Arthur Laurents and Bernstein on the project; Laurents' idea for incorporating gang warfare; bringing in Stephen Sondheim; the difficulty in getting producers interested in the work; the high artistic quality of the production and dedication of the performers and production staff; Robbins' goal of clear communication with the audience; society and its acceptance of artistic versus commercial work; Labanotation as a means for preserving choreography; the U.S. at the vanguard of dance; excerpt (ca. 4 min.) Cool from the cast recording of West Side story; discussion of the music for the film West Side story (1961) and his efforts as director of the film to maintain its fidelity to the original score; excerpt (ca. 4 min.) Something's coming from the cast recording of West Side story; concluding remarks; unidentified piano music.

Series Statement

Jerome Robbins Collection

Alternative Title

• World of Johnny Green.
• Dance Audio Archive.

Subjects

• Labanotation
• Audiotapes > Robbins, J
• Dance > Production and direction
• Laurents, Arthur
• Artistic collaboration
• Bernstein, Leonard, 1918-1990 > West Side story
• West Side story (Motion picture)
• Motion picture music
• Fancy free (Choreographic work : Robbins)
• Robbins, Jerome > Interviews

Note

• Interview conducted by Johnny Green, Oct. 1960, in Hollywood, Calif. for his radio program, The world of Johnny Green.

Funding (note)

• Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Source (note)

• WNET/13

Call Number

*MGZTL 4-3104 JRC

OCLC

NYPT03-R2

Author

Robbins, Jerome, interviewee.

Title

Interview with Jerome Robbins. Oct. 1960 [sound recording]

Imprint

1960.

Series

Jerome Robbins Collection

Funding

Preservation made possible in part with public funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Local Note

For transcript see *MGZMT 3-3104 JRC. The transcript was created by WNET/13 in connection with the documentary: Jerome Robbins: Something to dance about.

Johnny Green (1908-1989) was a composer, songwriter and film music director. At the time of the interview he was co-directing the music for the film West Side story.

Archival transcript: *MGZMTO 3-3104 JRC

Archive original: *MGZTO 7-3104 JRC

Preservation master: *MGZTP 10-3104 JRC

Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-3104 JRC

Source

Transcript Gift; WNET/13, 2008. NN-PD

Connect to:

Request Access to Special Collections (Dance Division) material

Local Subject

Audiotapes -- Robbins, J.

Added Author

Green, Johnny, 1908-1989. Interviewer

Added Title

World of Johnny Green.

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-3104 JRC