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If you could only save one ballet.....


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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?

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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. :thumbsup: ) 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.

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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.

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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! :clover: At least for now.

Oh, and in honor of Mr. B's love for those of the feline persuasion: :cat:

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