Merce Cunningham Dance Company: Park Avenue Armory Event

After Merce Cunningham—a cutting-edge figure in the world of modern dance—died in 2009, the company he founded in 1953 undertook several commemorative projects, including a major event held at the Park Avenue Armory in New York on the last three nights of 2011 as a farewell to the company (which disbanded on New Year's Day). Presenting excerpts from the troupe's repertory (often performed simultaneously across three stages), the selections—chosen by the dancers, along with some ensemble pieces—were arranged by Robert Swinston. The first disc of this set offers a collage of pieces from the varied venues, shot from different angles, while the second disc contains complete performances from each of the three stages shown from a single, unchanging perspective. The final disc serves up a retrospective of Cunningham's career, featuring excerpts from 17 works he choreographed that were included on the company's “Legacy Tour” of 2010–11 (an accompanying booklet features full data on each one). Spanning the years from 1956 to 2009, the clips are drawn from films in the Merce Cunningham Archive and vary in terms of sound and picture quality. But along with earlier releases—Split Sides: Merce Cunningham Dance Company (VL Online-8/09) and Merce Cunningham Dance Company: Robert Rauschenberg Collaborations (VL-5/11)—this set provides an outstanding overview of the achievements of one of America's most important choreographers. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)