The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

January 22, 2020

January 22, 1904

George Balanchine, (January 22 1904 to April 30, 1983) the famous choreographer, relied on his Russian training and that country's genius for music, to succeed in the United States. He was the ballet master at the New York City Ballet for many decades.

Balanchine loved cats and was certain he had trained one, named Mourka, to dance. Igor Stravinsky (1882 -1971) wanted to see this dancing cat.

The story is told by Bernard Taper in Balanchine, a Biography (1996). We would like more details.  The denouement of the story Taper recalls is that "Guests present later said that was the only time they had ever seen Balanchine nervous before a performance."

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