Western Symphony

Western Symphony is a ballet made by New York City Ballet co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine to American folk tunes arranged by Hershy Kay. The premiere, Tuesday, September 7, 1954, at City Center of Music and Drama, New York, was conducted by Leon Barzin and presented in practice clothes without scenery. Scenery by John Boyd and costumes by Karinska were added in 1955. Lighting was originally by Jean Rosenthal and subsequently Mark Stanley. Set in the Western United States, the ballet features cowboys and dance hall girls (or saloon girls).

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:

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.

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.

Scherzo

The Scherzo was removed ca. 1960 due to the complex nature of the male bravura dancing required.

Rondo

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

Music

Hershey Kay adapted and arranged the music from traditional Western melodies:

  • Lolly-Too-Dum
  • Good Night, Ladies
  • Oh, Dem Golden Slippers
  • The Girl I Left Behind Me

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.

Casts

original
and 8 women
  • Herbert Bliss
and 4 men
  • Janet Reed
and 4 women

  • Patricia Wilde
and 4 women

and 4 women
and 4 men

NYCB revivals

2008 Winter

First movement: Allegro
  • Abi Stafford
  • Nilas Martins

Second movement: Adagio
  • Sterling Hyltin

Third movement: Rondo
  • Teresa Reichlen

See also

References

Recording

1959 KAPP records Inc. produced a recording by the New York City Ballet Orchestra, Robert Irving, Conductor. Side one was "Stars and Stripes" and side two was "Western Symphony". KAPP Classics High Fidelity (KCL-9036)

Television broadcasts, filmography and videography

television

film

video

Reviews

External links