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(a program of three Balanchine ballets)
JUST BALANCHINE, March 27-30, 2008
SERENADE
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Serenade in C Major
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
SERENADE was Balanchine’s first ballet created in the United States and was given its premiere in 1934. Set in four movements, and danced without interruption, the classical romantic ballet is set on 28 dancers performing on a bare stage in the moody ethereal light of the moon, and shows off the lyricism of the female corps.
THEME AND VARIATIONS
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Final movement of Suite No. 3 for Orchestra in G minor.
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Classic ballet in a formal setting of a great ballroom with towering pillars, draperies, and crystal chandeliers. THEME AND VARIATIONS is Ballanchine at his neo-classic best. The dance steps are tightly tied to the music as illustrated by the opening work of the ballerina to the principal theme played by the violins. It requires boldness in the male variations with strong leaps and swift movements. The ensemble plays a very important part in the work with strong technique demanded in all the ensemble variations. In the imperial Russian style, THEME AND VARIATIONS concludes with a regal polonaise for the entire ensemble emphasizing rapid regroupings and shifting of partners.
THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Piano and a few Strings
Composer: Paul Hindemith
Subtitled, “Dance without a Plot”, THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS is an abstract work in five parts that explores the classic belief that human beings are made up of four distinct “humors”... melancholic, sanguinic, phlegmatic and choleric. The intricate and abstract piece is danced in a Neo-Classic style that showcases the complexity of this sentiment, and evokes meditation on the different types of human personalities. The dancers are simply clothed in black leotards and pink tights.
DATES/TIMES
Thursday, March 27 at 8:00pm
Friday, March 28 at 8:00pm
Saturday, March 29 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 30 at 1:30pm (matinee)
LOCATION: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard in downtown San Jose
BOX OFFICE: 408.288.2800
40 North First Street in downtown San Jose
Buy online at www.balletsanjose.org
GROUP SALES: 408.288.2820 x 204
PRICES: $25-$82 (discounts for students, seniors, groups)
