Alexandra Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 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? Link to comment
oberon Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 SERENADE, with SYMPHONY IN C a close second... Link to comment
socalgal Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 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. Link to comment
Ari Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 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. Link to comment
Nanatchka Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 For history, I must choose 4 Ts. For myself, I choose Liebeslieder. Link to comment
liebs Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Divertimento #15 for me and Agon for history. Link to comment
carbro Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 First choice: Barocco, and runner-up: Barocco. Link to comment
Andre Yew Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 If I were greedy, I'd pick Jewels: 3 for 1! Otherwise Agon. --Andre Link to comment
scoop Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 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. Link to comment
Farrell Fan Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Apollo, danced by Peter Boal, in the version that begins with the birth of Apollo. Link to comment
kfw Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 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. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 i'll go with carbro and say barocco for posterity, for myself the rest (not greedy at *all*) Link to comment
Helene Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Liebeslieder Walzer, and let history take care of itself Link to comment
BW Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Serenade - absolutely if I had to pick only one. Link to comment
Leigh Witchel Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 God, what agony. But if I could only get one out of the burning building, it would be Four T's. If this thread summons this fate though, I blame you Alexandra. 200 years and we're down to just five Bournonville ballets. . .(happily, recording ballets has gotten more thorough since that time) Link to comment
Alexandra Posted January 24, 2004 Author Share Posted January 24, 2004 Now, now, it depends on how you count "ballets." You can come up with 10 Bournonville Ballets if you count the divertissements and pas de deux. My Worst Nightmare about Balanchine is that he will lurch into the 22nd century represented by The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Slaughter, Tschaipas (its 22nd century name; they think it has something to do with spicy tea) and the Agon pas de deux. Link to comment
BW Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 (Oh - no - though I'm laughing about the Chai tea - please, No! You know, I it took me a while to understand what people meant when they said that.) Link to comment
carbro Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 My Worst Nightmare about Balanchine is that he will lurch into the 22nd century represented by The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Slaughter, Tschaipas . . . and the Agon pas de deux. :speechless: Scary indeed! But thanks to the Balanchine Foundation, you can sleep soundly, at least as far as the Balanchine legacy is concerned. What is so amazing about the list compiled by the posters is that each ballet named is a unique treasure. Aren't we lucky to have them all! At least for now. Oh, and in honor of Mr. B's love for those of the feline persuasion: :cat: Link to comment
Hans Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Apollo. I just like it the best . Link to comment
MYBkid Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 It would have to be The Four T's!!!! Link to comment
Cliff Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Tzigane, although I haven't seen many of the mentioned works. Link to comment
atm711 Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Concerto Barocco---but it MUST be performed in black leotards---only then does its architectural style become obvious---it is sort of the forerunner of Adams and Mitchell in Agon. Link to comment
Paul Parish Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 What a pretty dilemma! Thank you, Alexandra. I wonder if I would want to save my favorite, or something historically more important? Actually, it's clear to me, if all the rest had to die, I'd save Symphony in C, and Barocco too if I could. Link to comment
Herman Stevens Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 Serenade is Mr B's Swan Lake IMO. After that come Symphony in C and Violin Cto. Herman Link to comment
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