While watching Tiler Peck’s debut in the First Movement of Symphony in C on Saturday night, Haglund kept thinking that it was a fabulous debut but it would probably take Tiler a few performances to make the role her own. A mere 19 hours later she delivered an interpretation of such unparalleled musicality that it left you breathless. Time after time she pulled at the ribbons of musical phrases as though unwrapping little gift packages and was instantly smitten with what was inside. Her partner, Zachary Catazaro, was a last minute replacement for Chase Finlay – both of whom have been out with injuries for quite a while. Catazaro’s feet and legs looked leaden on Saturday night but had more life and energy at the Sunday matinee. The First Movement of Symphony in C is a huge challenge for this young dancer. In the coming years, we can expect to appreciate him quickly for his reliable partnering skills and theatrical presence but will have to wait a while for his soloist skills to catch up. It may turn out to be the same type of journey that we had with Robert Fairchild.
On Saturday night and Sunday, Sara Mearns and Jared Angle led the Second Movement with grand grace and soulfulness in their pas de deux. Wednesday evening’s cast of Maria Kowroski and Tyler Angle glistened with a more solemn majesty. The demi-soloists in this movement have been extraordinary. Faye Arthurs with Devin Alberda and Jenelle Manzi with Austin Laurent conveyed an imperial elegance and beauty that sometimes drew the eye away from the principals.
What a lovely surprise to see Ashly Isaacs “suddenly” evolve from ballet dancer to ballerina under the spotlight in her leading role in the Third Movement of Symphony in C opposite Gonzalo Garcia on Wednesday night and in her soloist role in Raymonda Variations on Saturday night and Sunday. Her jumps soared with ease while her body was always high above the split legs. She also pushed her weight deeply into the floor to pull drama out of the music. And what a warm stage presence. Garcia’s fine partnering made up for the technical difficulties in his solos. He doesn’t get enough performances these days to keep his pirouettes and allegro in top shape, which is a shame.
Lauren King drew four performances of the Fourth Movement of Symphony in C this past week, and Haglund caught three of them. Each grew in confidence and reliability as the week progressed. Sunday’s was a particularly fine effort with no technical difficulties in pirouettes or that fancy move that involved a pirouette with a developpe to second position while on pointe. Lauren’s entire frame is lengthened and more elegant than last year and her core appears much stronger. Her partner on Wednesday, Adrian Danchig-Waring was a powerhouse. As soon as he bounded onto the stage, you wished he’d been there from the beginning of the ballet. Watching Sean Suozzi on Saturday night and Sunday in the same role was less satisfying mostly because of his weak arabesque and a leg line that appeared sickled.
So happy to see Raymonda Variations back in the schedule. Megan Fairchild and Joaquin De Luz led the cast on Wednesday while Ashley Bouder and Andrew Veyette were the principals on Saturday night and Sunday. The highlight of all the performances was seeing Bouder’s sharply articulate legs and feet contrast with the softness and elegance of her upper body. All of it so pretty. Haglund is beyond excited to see her sylph in La Sylphide next spring. There are so many twinkle-eyed sylph personalities at NYCB – Bouder, Peck, Hyltin, King, Lovette, Gwyneth Muller, Ashly Isaacs, Kristen Segin, Claire Von Enck and others that La Sylphide will surely be the hit of the season.
The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Le Tombeau de Couperin completed the program. The latter always gives us a chance to appreciate the individuality of the corps members. Lara Tong’s long, expressive arms and her gracious stage presence were suddenly the focus of Haglund’s attention. Jenelle Manzi and Andrew Scordato who are maturing into full-spectrum artists also caught the eye. Olivia Boisson’s quiet confidence and clarity in her movement were lovely.
The Pump Bump Award, a Jimmy Choo stiletto bootie with black crystals on mesh, zippered back, and 145mm heel ($1295), is bestowed upon Tiler Peck for her glorious performance in Symphony in C on Sunday.