zoom_in Click to enlarge

Jiří Kylián

▲ ▼

description Jiří Kylián Overview

Jiří Kylián was a twentieth-century choreographer renowned for his innovative and emotionally resonant works within contemporary ballet. Born in Czechoslovakia, he achieved international prominence through his long leadership of Nederlands Dans Theater, shaping the direction of dance globally. His choreography is particularly appreciated by dancers and audiences interested in complex movement vocabulary and explorations of human experience.

help Jiří Kylián FAQ

What dance company is Jiří Kylián most famous for leading?

Jiří Kylián is most famous for his long and transformative tenure as the artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), located in The Hague. He led the company from 1975 into the early 2000s, establishing NDT as one of the world's premier contemporary ballet companies.

What is Jiří Kylián's most famous choreographic work?

While he has created over a hundred pieces, one of Kylián’s most universally acclaimed and iconic works is *Symphony of Psalms*, choreographed in 1978 to the music of Igor Stravinsky. He is also widely celebrated for his highly expressive, black-and-white dance trilogy known as *Sinfonietta*, *Sweet Dreams*, and *Sarabande*.

What are the signature characteristics of Jiří Kylián's choreography?

Kylián’s choreography is renowned for its extreme fluidity, seamless blending of classical ballet technique with contemporary floor work, and deep emotional resonance. His works often explore profound psychological themes, utilizing intricate group formations and gravity-defying partnering that require immense strength and trust.

Where was Jiří Kylián born and trained?

Jiří Kylián was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), where he began his early dance training at the Prague Conservatory. His training continued when he received a scholarship to study at the Royal Ballet School in London, which eventually led him to join the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany before moving to the Netherlands.