41 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

Okay.  Here's the deal.  The Lilac Fairy appears to you and says, "Only one ballet by George Balanchine will be in repertory at his 200th birthday. [stop screaming. I'm sure there will be many more, but this is just for the sake of a Thread]  Which ballet would you want it to be?  We promise it will be danced exactly the way you like it, and the cast will be just the kind of dancers you love to see in it.  But you can only have one."

Which will it be?

I was thinking of this as I watched "Four Temperaments" last night.  I think, after much agonizing and inner debate, I'd pick that one, not because it's my favorite (although I do love it) but because it shows so clearly what he was like as a choreographer.

What about you?

[oberon]

SERENADE, with SYMPHONY IN C a close second...

[socalgal]

SERENADE, hands down.   Whether danced by small or big companies, students or pros, I am always moved by this piece of choreography.  Serenade lives in and of itself.  Very rare for a ballet.

[Ari]

I'd pick 4 Ts, too.  I've always thought of it as my "desert island ballet," if such a thing were possible.  (Imagine being marooned on a desert island with only a ballet company.   ) It's my choice just because it's so thrilling -- it never fails to send shivers up my spine -- and because there's nothing else like it in the ballet repertoire.  Other choreographers try, but they don't come within shoutin' distance of this.

[Nanatchka]

For history, I must choose 4 Ts.  For myself, I choose Liebeslieder.

[liebs]

Divertimento #15 for me and Agon for history.

[perky]

Divertimento #15

[carbro]

First choice:  Barocco, and runner-up: Barocco.

[Andre Yew]

If I were greedy, I'd pick Jewels:  3 for 1!  Otherwise Agon.

--Andre

[scoop]

I still haven't stopped screaming over the prospect of "just one," but I'm inclined to go with Concerto Barocco. Divine music, and choreography that is Balanchine distilled to its essence.

[Farrell Fan]

Apollo, danced by Peter Boal, in the version that begins with the birth of Apollo.

[kfw]

Torture us, why don't you?  :sweating:  I'd save Apollo, but lay awake at nights wondering if I should have picked 4T's, Agon, or Serenade.

[Mme. Hermine]

i'll go with carbro and say barocco for posterity, for myself the rest (not greedy at *all*)

[Helene]

Liebeslieder Walzer, and let history take care of itself

[BW]

Serenade - absolutely if I had to pick only one.