Western Symphony

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See also: New York City Ballet repertory, NYCB 2008 Winter Repertory, and NYCB 2008 Spring Repertory

Western Symphony is a ballet made by New York City Ballet's ballet master and co-founder George Balanchine in 1954 to music arranged by Hershey Kay with scenery by John Boyd, costumes by Karinska and lighting by Mark Stanley. Set in the Western United States, the ballet features cowboys and dance hall girls (or saloon girls).

1 Setting
2 Music
3 Premiere
4 Cast
- 4.1 original
- 4.2 Winter 2008
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Setting

The ballet follows no plot but presents several short stories throughout the ballet (similar to Serenade) outside a saloon. It is almost a satire on classical ballet with imitations of Giselle and Swan Lake (second movement). The ballet originally had four movements:

[edit] Allegro

The Allegro is for four cowboys, eight girls (divided into two groups of four) and a lead couple. The lengthy Allegro goes for about ten minutes.

[edit] Adagio (Waltz)

The Adagio (Waltz) is for a lead couple and four girls representing horses. This movement is set at night. The cowboy is chasing after the lead girl who eludes him and eventually, after some flirtation, leaves without him.

[edit] Scherzo

The Scherzo, however, was removed due to the complex nature of the male bravura required.

[edit] Rondo

The Rondo has a lead couple but is for the entire cast.

[edit] Music

Hershey Kay adapted and arranged the music from traditional Western melodies. Although the movements are entitled Allegro, Adagio (Waltz) and Rondo they don't really remain true to their titles. There is an extended adagio Pas de Deux section in the Allegro; and similarly with the Adagio, the Waltz speeds up to a lively tempo.