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American Masters

Tanaquil Le Clercq, the Ideal Balanchine Dancer

Le Clercq was one of Balanchine's muses and her body and style became an ideal in ballet.

Aired 06/20/2014 | Rating NR

American Masters

Tanaquil Le Clercq, the Ideal Balanchine Dancer

Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 7s

Le Clercq was one of Balanchine's muses and her body and style became an ideal in ballet.

Tanaquil Le Clercq was one of George Balanchine's muses and her body and style became an ideal in ballet. This excerpt from "American Masters -- Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun" shows her dancing in Balanchine's "Concerto Barocco" and includes commentary from Balanchine's assistant and New York City Ballet dancer Patricia McBride Lousada on how Le Clercq ("Tanny") became the "ideal."

Aired 06/20/2014 | Rating NR

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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Tanaquil Le Clercq in Jerome Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun

Watch an excerpt of Le Clercq and partner performing Jerome Robbin's love pas de deux. (1m 35s)

Western Symphony: One of Tanaquil Le Clercq's Last Dances

Watch a clip of Le Clercq in Western Symphony, one of the last ballets she performed in. (56s)

Polio and Iron Lungs in the 1950s. Le Clercq's Illness.

An iron lung allowed Tanaquil Le Clercq to breathe after she contracted polio in 1956. (1m 42s)

Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun - Trailer

The ballerina's career, struggle with polio, and influence on great choreographers. (2m 21s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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