Dance is a Moment

Overview

Dance is a Moment captures Limón's personality and achievements through a combination of narrative, direct quotations and stunning photography. The portrait is divided according to the spheres of his life: Part I, Life, is biographical and traces Limón from revolution-torn Mexico to New York. Part II, Work, focuses on Limón's choreographic process, taking the reader from the germ of a dance idea through to the performance. Limón's masterpiece There is a Time is used as the case-study. The book focuses on Limón's relationships with his dancers, the composer Norman Dello Joio, his wife, costume designer Pauline Lawrence Limón and his mentor and artistic director, Doris Humphrey. Performance and behind-the-scenes photographs of the original cast illustrate the rehearsals and premiere.Intimate reminiscences of Limón recalled by Charles Woodford bracket Life and Work, fully fleshing out this revealing portrait. The photographs—many never before published—depict Limón's personal life and professional career as a dancer.José Limón (1908-1972) was the foremost male modern dancer of his era (1940-1960s). He began dancing with the Humphrey-Weidman Company, then went on to lead his own company and to choreograph dances of brilliance and high drama. His company and school survive as testimony to Limón's significant contributions to and influences within the modern dance community. Includes 52 illustrations.

Reviews

"A very touching and personal look into the life and work of one of America's greatest choreographers. I am so happy that such a book finally exists." —Carla Maxwell, Artistic Director, Jos+ Lim+n Dance Company

Author Biography

Barbara Pollack, who edited Doris Humphrey's book on choreography, The Art of Making Dances (also published by Princeton Book Company), based her writing of this book on interviews with Lim+n over a nine-month period in 1955-1956. She is also author of The Collectors: Dr. Claribel and Miss Etta Cone. Charles Humphrey Woodford, the son of dancer, choreographer and teacher Doris Humphrey, contributes his recollections based upon his knowledge of Lim+n over a thirty-nine-year period.