silvy Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 On browsing the NYCB webpage, I was surprised to learn that the above ballet was first presented by Ballet Theatre (and not by a Balanchine company). Does anyone know if Balachine was engaged as a choreographer by Ballet Theater for other works,or if his only work during that period was this "Theme & Variations"? To my knowledge, he was engaged in various enterprises, but, honestly , I had never read that he was worked extensively for Ballet Theater. Thanks so much Silvy Link to comment
richard53dog Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 On browsing the NYCB webpage, I was surprised to learn that the above ballet was first presented by Ballet Theatre (and not by a Balanchine company). Does anyone know if Balachine was engaged as a choreographer by Ballet Theater for other works,or if his only work during that period was this "Theme & Variations"? To my knowledge, he was engaged in various enterprises, but, honestly , I had never read that he was worked extensively for Ballet Theater.Thanks so much Silvy <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Silvy, It was a commision, Balanchine seemed to resist having a regular relationship with Ballet Theatre, I gather he was happier being a free agent and having control of what was emerging as NYCB. Balanchine choreographed this piece, like many of his other ones, with great speed, if I remember correctly, something like 39 hours of rehearsal time. No T&V wasn't his only piece during that period, it was quite a busy period he had about 8 or so other ballets premiere that year. But T&V is my favorite of all Balanchine ballets, hopefully I will see it next week with ABT Richard Link to comment
rg Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 i don't think Balanchine got on well w/ lucia chase, but he was at one point or other(s) reportedly toying w/ the idea of being a resident choreographer for Ballet Theatre as it was then know. the only other ballet, besides THEME AND VARIATIONS, that he created for BT (not ABT) was WALTZ ACADEMY, as follows: Waltz academy Chor: George Balanchine; mus: Vittorio Rieti; scen: Oliver Smith; cos: Alvin Colt. First perf: Boston, Opera House, Oct 5, 1944; Ballet Theatre.//First New York perf: Metropolitan Opera House, Oct 11, 1944; Ballet Theatre. Link to comment
Herman Stevens Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Another T & V question, if Silvy will pardon me. I read somewhere one section of T&V is known among Balanchine dancers by the rather delightful name of Scrambled Eggs, and of course I am curious which part it is. Maybe someone can tell me? Link to comment
rg Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 i'm sure a dancer could confirm or deny or elaborate the understanding i've had over the years of the 'scrambled eggs' moniker: i believe this nickname refers not to the ballet itself but to the ballerina's solo, which is so fast and in which the double pirouettes and pas de chats etc. have a 'scrambling' effect. Link to comment
Paquita Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 I imagine the "scrambled eggs" refers to all the gargouillades the ballerina must perform. To quote Kay Ambrose: "You do so much with your feet that you don't know what you've done." Link to comment
dirac Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Did the ballerina always have gargouillades to perform? I seem to remember Croce saying somewhere that Balanchine added them for Kirkland, but my memory could be off. Link to comment
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