Research Catalog

Title

Tropic etude [videorecording] / choreography by Yeichi Nimura.

Publication

[1960?]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Nimura, Yeichi, 1897-1979
• Crane, Dean
• Paaz, Nira

Description

1 videodisc (NTSC) (20 min.) : si., b&w; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

Run-through of a dance work to the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos. The first 9 min. of footage is a wide shot, abruptly interrupted by a silhouetted man, probably choreographer Yeichi Nimura. The run-through resumes in close shot, beginning at about 7:30 min. into the piece, just before the entrance of the Yang. The dancer playing the Yang performs in soft ballet slippers rather than on pointe, as in a 1963 film of this work (see *MGZIDVD 5-5706 [Ballet Arts studio onstage] [and] [Lute song, excerpts]). Towards the end of the work, the Yin suddenly tosses a spiderweb, a theatrical device that Nimura may have borrowed from Kabuki, which he may have seen in his native Japan or in New York. In the previous year he had filmed Tokuho Azuma of the Azuma Kabuki Dancers and Musicians as she taught guest classes in traditional Japanese dancing at the Ballet Arts studio; the Azuma company was then making its second appearance in New York. The film ends with the repetition of excerpts of the piece.

Donor/Sponsor

Bequest of the Estate of Lisan Kay Nimura.

Series Statement

Yeichi and Lisan Kay Nimura Collection

Uniform Title

Tropic étude (Choreographic work : Nimura)

Genre/Form

• Dance.
• Video.

Performer (note)

• Dean Crane (the Yin), probably with Nira Posner [Nira Paaz?] (the Yang), and Antonio Llacer, Daniel Joel, Judy Fisher [or Fischer], Leslie James, Toriana Santiago, Nora Schaerer.

Event (note)

• Recorded at the Ballet Arts studio, 61 Carnegie Hall, New York City, probably in 1960.

Funding (note)

• Processing and cataloging made possible by the Estate of Lisan Kay Nimura.

System Details (note)

• DVD, transferred from 16mm film.

Source (note)

• Estate of Lisan Kay Nimura

Biography (note)

• Yeichi Nimura, 1897-1979, was born in Suwa, Japan, and came to the United States in 1918. He studied dance at the Denishawn school, and also trained in ballet, ballroom, and Spanish dancing. He first danced onstage in 1927 in a revue choreographed by his compatriot Michio Ito, and presented his first recital in 1930. He performed throughout the 1930s in works created by himself and others on the concert stage, in musical theater, and on American and foreign tours with his wife Lisan Kay. Retiring from the stage while still in his prime, he focused on teaching, coaching, and choreographing. He choreographed the musical Lute song both on Broadway in 1946 and at City Center in 1959. He was a founder of the Ballet Arts school at "61" Carnegie Hall, and created works for his students. In recognition of his contributions to international cultural understanding, the Japanese government awarded him an Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1969. In 1973 he established the Nimura Dance Award in Japan in order to assist young dancers and recognize achievement.

Call Number

*MGZIDVD 5-5718

OCLC

706817780

Title

Tropic etude [videorecording] / choreography by Yeichi Nimura.

Imprint

[1960?]

Country of Producing Entity

U.S.

Series

Yeichi and Lisan Kay Nimura Collection

System Details

DVD, transferred from 16mm film.

Cast

Dean Crane (the Yin), probably with Nira Posner [Nira Paaz?] (the Yang), and Antonio Llacer, Daniel Joel, Judy Fisher [or Fischer], Leslie James, Toriana Santiago, Nora Schaerer.

Event

Recorded at the Ballet Arts studio, 61 Carnegie Hall, New York City, probably in 1960.

Funding

Processing and cataloging made possible by the Estate of Lisan Kay Nimura.

Biography

Yeichi Nimura, 1897-1979, was born in Suwa, Japan, and came to the United States in 1918. He studied dance at the Denishawn school, and also trained in ballet, ballroom, and Spanish dancing. He first danced onstage in 1927 in a revue choreographed by his compatriot Michio Ito, and presented his first recital in 1930. He performed throughout the 1930s in works created by himself and others on the concert stage, in musical theater, and on American and foreign tours with his wife Lisan Kay. Retiring from the stage while still in his prime, he focused on teaching, coaching, and choreographing. He choreographed the musical Lute song both on Broadway in 1946 and at City Center in 1959. He was a founder of the Ballet Arts school at "61" Carnegie Hall, and created works for his students. In recognition of his contributions to international cultural understanding, the Japanese government awarded him an Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1969. In 1973 he established the Nimura Dance Award in Japan in order to assist young dancers and recognize achievement.

Source

Gift; Estate of Lisan Kay Nimura, Sept. 2007. NN-PD

Added Author

Nimura, Yeichi, 1897-1979, choreographer.

Crane, Dean, dancer.

Paaz, Nira, dancer.

Added Title

Tropic étude (Choreographic work : Nimura)

Research Call Number

*MGZIDVD 5-5718