Yuri Possokhov on Creating Violin Concerto
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Yuri Possokhov discusses Divine Creatures' third piece, Violin Concerto
Yuri Possokhov, who became San Francisco Ballet’s choreographer in residence after retiring from dancing with the Company in 2006, recalls Stravinsky Violin Concerto as one of his favorite ballets choreographed by George Balanchine. Possokhov approaches Stravinsky’s score with fresh eyes, however. “I needed to do this now,” Possokhov said. “My memory of Balanchine comes back, of course, but this impulse gives me the chance to express myself.”
Listen to Yuri Possokhov talk through the process of creating his next@90 festival hit Violin Concerto for SF Ballet’s 2023 Season. Violin Concerto returns in program 4, Divine Creatures, onstage April 18-24, 2027.
ABOUT YURI POSOKHOV
Known for his thoughtful, wide-ranging choreography, beautiful dancing, and strong partnering skills, Yuri Possokhov is choreographer in residence for SF Ballet. After training at Moscow Ballet Academy, Yuri Possokhov danced with Bolshoi Ballet for 10 years, where he was promoted to principal dancer. In 1992 he joined Royal Danish Ballet as a principal dancer; two years later he joined SF Ballet, also as a principal dancer. He retired from the stage in 2006 and was named SF Ballet’s choreographer in residence that same year. In addition to the 14 ballets he has created for SF Ballet, Possokhov has choreographed works for the Bolshoi Ballet, Georgian National Ballet, and The Joffrey Ballet. In July 2015, his full-length ballet A Hero of Our Time, debuted at the Bolshoi Ballet.
