Dance Writings and Poetry FROM THE PUBLISHER
Edwin Denby was the most important and influential American dance critic of thiscentury and was also a poet of distinction. This book presents a sampling of his reviews,essays, and poems, a collection that is an essential resource for students and lovers ofdance. .
FROM THE CRITICS
Whitaker - New York Times Book Review
Denby's writings. . .sprang from [his] profoundly emotional response to seeing people dance. . . .the urgency of his reviews is a result of his own passionate will to understand and appreciate what he has seen. . . .for anyone who has not yet read Denby, this book is a godsend.
Library Journal
Denby (1903-83), a major dance critic as well as a poet, wrote for Modern Music (1936-42), the New York Herald Tribune (1942-45), and many dance magazines. In his writings, he passionately reflected on the art form, observing the emergence and development of many seminal figures, including George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Leonide Massine, and Frederick Ashton. When read chronologically, his observations on specific performances, dance criticism, and the meaning of dance amount to the creation of a dance aesthetic that he shared with readers for more than 30 years. His literary talents also found an outlet in the writing of librettos and poetry. Although Denby's writings have been compiled before, most notably in Dancers, Buildings, and People in the Street (1965), this volume is the only one currently in print. Denby's significant voice should be added to all collections in which he is not already represented.--Joan Stahl, National Museum of American Art, Washington, DC
Whitaker
Denby's writings. . .sprang from [his] profoundly emotional response to seeing people dance. . . .the urgency of his reviews is a result of his own passionate will to understand and appreciate what he has seen. . . .for anyone who has not yet read Denby, this book is a godsend. -- The New York Times Book Review
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