Edwin Denby

Edwin Denby (1903-1983) was an American dance critic, poet, and journalist known for his influential writing about ballet and modern dance. His reviews and essays, particularly for Modern Music and Ballet Review in the 1940s and 1950s, helped shape critical discourse around dance in America. During his career at The New York Herald Tribune and other publications, Denby developed a distinctive analytical approach that examined both the technical and artistic elements of dance performance. His collected works, including "Looking at the Dance" (1949) and "Dancers, Buildings and People in the Streets" (1965), are considered foundational texts in dance criticism. As a poet, Denby produced several volumes of verse including "In Public, In Private" (1948) and "Snoring in New York" (1974). His poetry often reflected his keen observational skills and interest in everyday urban life, sharing stylistic elements with the New York School poets. Beyond his written work, Denby was a significant figure in New York's artistic community, maintaining close relationships with painters, composers, and choreographers. He served as a cultural bridge between European and American artistic traditions, having spent his early years in China and Europe before settling in New York.

Readers admire Denby's dance criticism for its attention to technical details while remaining accessible to non-dancers. His poetry receives less attention than his criticism but maintains a dedicated following among poetry enthusiasts. What readers liked: - Clear, descriptive prose that captures movement - Deep knowledge of ballet and modern dance - Personal perspective as both dancer and writer - Poetic approach to dance analysis What readers disliked: - Dense writing style can be challenging - Some essays assume prior dance knowledge - Poetry collections hard to find/out of print Ratings and Reviews: Goodreads: Dance in America: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) Looking at the Dance: 4.4/5 (8 ratings) Collected Poetry: 4.0/5 (5 ratings) Limited reviews exist online as most of his work was published pre-internet. Dance students and professionals frequently cite his essays in academic work and forum discussions. Print reviews from dance publications remain the main source of reader feedback.

Dance Writings (1986) A collection of dance criticism written between 1936-1965, focusing primarily on ballet performances in New York City.

Looking at the Dance (1949) Reviews and essays examining ballet and modern dance, with particular attention to choreographers George Balanchine and Martha Graham.

Dancers, Buildings, and People in the Streets (1965) Essays combining observations of dance, architecture, and urban life in New York, with emphasis on the connection between movement and space.

Mediterranean Cities (1956) Travel writing describing architectural and cultural observations of coastal cities in Southern Europe and North Africa.

Mrs. W's Last Sandwich (1972) A collection of autobiographical poems reflecting on personal experiences and memories.

Snoring in New York (1974) Poetry collection focused on urban experiences and observations of daily life in New York City.