Sorell, Walter, 1905-1997

Biographical note: Austrian emigre writer.

Sorell was a theater critic, book reviewed, and writer in his native Vienna. As a Jew and a Social Democrat, he had to leave Austria in 1938, reaching the United States by way of London. In New York City and Hollywood, he was a writer, handwriting analyst, translator, critic, and journalist. He received a MFA from Columbia University in 1955. From 1958 to 1972 he was an instructor for theater and dance at Columbia University, teaching at the same time at Barnard College and Hunter College. He began painting in Switzerland in 1973 and had numerous exhibits over the next decade.

From the description of Walter Sorell papers, 1958-1970. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122599382

Austrian-born Walter Sorell (1905-1997), who was dance critic, educator, and painter, as well as a prolific author of novels, plays, and poems, settled in New York City in 1939 after fleeing from the Nazi regime.

From 1950-1966, he was the New York dance critic for the Providence Journal, as well as a contributor to other publications, including Ballet Today, Dance Magazine, Dance News, and the Dance Observer. Sorell's published books (more than twenty-five in German and English) include The Dance Through the Ages (1967), Dance in Its Time (1981), and a biography of Hanya Holm (1969), in addition to English translations of two anthologies of writings by the German Expressionist choreographer, Mary Wigman, The Language of Dance (1966) and The Mary Wigman Book (1975).

Dancer and choreographer Mary Wigman (1886-1973, real name, Karoline Sophie Marie Wiegmann) was a pioneering figure in German dance, having studied under Rudolf von Laban, another important innovator in the field.

Although she made only three tours of the United States, Wigman left a lasting influence upon American modern dance through disciples such as Hanya Holm and Alwin Nikolais. Her works often employed non-Western instrumentation, but the primary musical accompaniment for her most well-known dances was percussion. She often used masks in her pieces, influenced again by non-western motifs.

From the description of Walter Sorell research files on Mary Wigman, 1927-1976. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 84693670

Walter Sorell, dance critic, author (novels, plays and poems), educator and painter, was born on May 2, 1905 in Vienna. In 1939, fleeing the Nazis, he settled in New York City. From 1950-1966, he was the NY dance critic for The Providence Journal, as well as a contributor to publications like Dance News, Dance Magazine, Dance Observer and Ballet Today . His published books (more than 25 in German and English) include The Dance Through the Ages, Dance in Its Time and Hanya Holm . Furthermore, his "interest in modern-dance history led him to translate two anthologies of writings by the German Expressionist choreographer Mary Wigman: 'The Language of Dance' and 'The Mary Wigman Book'" (NY Times).

Walter Sorell died on February 21, 1997 in New York City.

Mary Wigman (née Karoline Sophie Marie Wiegmann), dancer and choreographer, was born on November 13, 1886 in Hannover, Germany. In 1910, she enrolled in School of Rhythmic Gymnastics at Hellerau (outside of Dresden). In 1913 (at age of 27), she began studying at Monte Verita under Rudolf Laban, an important innovator in contemporary dance at the time.

Although she made only three tours of the United States, Mary Wigman left a lasting influence in American modern-dance through disciples such as Hanya Holm and Alwin Nikolais. Mary Wigman's choreographies often employed non-Western instrumentation: fifes, bells, gongs, and drums from India, Thailand, Africa, and China. The primary musical accompaniment for her most well known dances was percussion, which contrasted greatly with her use of silence. Mary would often employ masks in her pieces, influenced again by non-western motifs.

Mary Wigman died on September 18, 1973 in Berlin.

From the guide to the Walter Sorell research files on Mary Wigman, 1927-1976, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)