Content: For transcript of interview see: *MGZMT 3-1656.
Content: Interview with Julia Levien conducted by Elizabeth Kendall for the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division Oral History Project.
Content: Sound quality is very good overall but the recording is marred by "tape hiss."
Funding: The processing and cataloging of this recording was made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The support of the National Endowment for the Arts is also gratefully acknowledged.
Content: Title supplied by cataloger.
Venue: Recorded for the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jerome Robbins Dance Division Oral History Project August 24, 1976 New York (N.Y.).

Physical Description

Extent: 1 audiotape reel (approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes) : analog, half-track;,1.875 ips, polyester ; 5 in.

Abstract

Streaming audio file 1 (approximately 52 minutes). Julia Levien speaks with Elizabeth Kendall about her family background and early training in Duncan-style dance with Estelle Harriton; her first time seeing Isadora Duncan dance; Isadora's view of dance as a natural part of a child's education; (briefly) Mary Wigman; (briefly) studying with Bird Larson; classes with Anna Duncan including her impressions of Anna as a dancer; Theresa [Maria-Theresa] Duncan; an anecdote about Ethel Butler auditioning for Anna; more on classes with Anna including as compared with classes with Elizabeth [Duncan]; the relationship of the visual arts and Duncan movement including the works of Henri Matisse and the Tanagra figures [ends abruptly but continues directly on streaming audio file 2]. Streaming audio file 2 (approximately 45 minutes). Julia Levien speaks with Elizabeth Kendall about Isadora Duncan's association of Greek culture with democracy and freedom; the death of Isadora; the visit of children from the Russian school [Isadora Duncan's School in Moscow; Shkola Aĭsedory Dunkan]; the repertoire of dances performed in classes with Anna and Irma Duncan; misconceptions regarding Isadora's choreography and dancing; her impressions of Irma including as compared with Anna; Isadora's Dance of the Furies; more on the repertoire she learned in class; Isadora's spirituality as expressed in her work; more on Dance of the Furies including why it was a seminal work; performing the repertoire of Isadora Duncan's Russian school, on tour; her career after leaving Anna and Irma [ends abruptly but continues on streaming file 3]. Streaming audio file 3 (approximately 14 minutes). Julia Levien speaks with Elizabeth Kendall about her teaching including the challenge of teaching Isadora's work to dancers who where not trained in the Duncan schools; her goal of preserving Isadora's legacy; the annual celebration of Isadora's birthday [short gap]; Levien describes a recent performance and class in Paris [France]; a planned memorial for the Duncans in Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

Languages

English

Identifiers

RLIN/OCLC: 80124800
NYPL Catalog ID (bnumber): b12119069
Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): e4eec9d0-0340-0138-6cf7-23cfe9c425d3

Rights

The New York Public Library holds or manages the copyright(s) in this item. If you need information about reusing this item, please go to: http://nypl.org/permissions

Type Of Resource

Sound Recording

Cite this item

MLA format

Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library. "Interview with Julia Levien,1976" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1976. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e4eec9d0-0340-0138-6cf7-23cfe9c425d3

APA format

Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library. (1976). Interview with Julia Levien,1976 Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e4eec9d0-0340-0138-6cf7-23cfe9c425d3

Chicago/Turabian Format

Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library. "Interview with Julia Levien,1976" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 13, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e4eec9d0-0340-0138-6cf7-23cfe9c425d3

Wikipedia citation

<ref name=NYPL>{{cite web | url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e4eec9d0-0340-0138-6cf7-23cfe9c425d3 | title= (sound recording) Interview with Julia Levien,1976 (1976) | author=Digital Collections, The New York Public Library | accessdate=January 13, 2026 | publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations}}</ref>