“This is a hot summer day, in a studio, in New York City.” So former NYCB dancer Dr. Afshin Mofid recalls Jerome Robbins’ description of the setting and mood of his Afternoon of a Faun, an innocently sensual pas de deux that premiered on NYCB’s stage in 1953. In this installment of Hear the Dance, hosted by Silas Farley, Mofid joins former NYCB Principal Dancer Kay Mazzo to share their memories of rehearsing with Robbins and performing Faun, a formative ballet for both of their careers. (50:27)

Music:
Prélude á l'Après-midi d'un Faune (1892-1894) by Claude Debussy

Recommended Reading:
1) Diaghilev: A Life by Sjeng Scheijen
2) Nijinsky Dancing by Lincoln Kirstein
3) Somewhere: The Life of Jerome Robbins by Amanda Vaill
4) Jerome Robbins, by Himself: Selections from His Letters, Journals, Drawings, Photographs, and an Unfinished Memoir by Jerome Robbins, edited by Amanda Vaill