Glass Pieces
Rubric and Façades from Glassworks, excerpts from the opera Akhnaten by Philip Glass
Choreography Jerome Robbins

Philip Glass was born in Chicago in 1937, trained at the University of Chicago and studied composition with William Bergsma and Vincent Persichetti at the Juilliard School, as well as with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. In 1965 his style underwent a fundamental change, influenced by an interest in Indian music and work with the sitarist, Ravi Shankar. Since 1975 nearly all Glass's compositions have been written for dance, film or the theater. Mr. Glass tours extensively with the Philip Glass Ensemble.

(Average Length 24 min.)

The Cage
Concerto in D for String Orchestra, "Basler" (1946) by Igor Stravinsky
Choreography Jerome Robbins

Stravinsky came to the attention of Sergei Diaghilev in 1910, who asked him to orchestrate two pieces by Chopin for the ballet Les Sylphides, and then to compose an original ballet. The result, Firebird, projected both Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and the young composer to worldwide acclaim. His ballets for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes also included Petrushka, choreographed by Michael Fokine, The Rite of Spring, choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky, and Apollon Musagéte (Apollo), choreographed by George Balanchine. His music has been used in over thirty ballets originating with New York City Ballet from 1948 through 1992, including Danses Concertantes, Orpheus, The Cage, Agon, Monumentum pro Gesualdo, Movements for Piano and Orchestra, Rubies, Symphony In Three Movements, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Concerto for Two Solo Pianos, Suite from L'histoire du Soldat, Concertino, and Jeu de Cartes.

(Average Length 14 min.)

Other Dances

Mazurkas, Op. 17, No. 4, Op. 41, No. 3; Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3; Mazurkas Op. 63, No. 2, Op. 33, No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin
Choreography Jerome Robbins

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was born in Poland. He was one of the most important innovators for the piano, both in terms of composition and playing style. As a pianist he was mostly self-taught, and since he did not like to give public performances, his substantial reputation was based on a very few concerts. Chopin influenced future composers, especially those of the French and Russian schools. The musical level he attained made possible future piano innovations, such as those of Debussy. Mr. Robbins also used his piano music for The Concert (1956), Dances at a Gathering (1969) and In the Night (1970), all in the repertory of New York City Ballet.

(Average Length 18 min.)

The Concert (or the perils of everybody)

Polonaise "Militaire"; Berceuse, Op. 57; Prelude Op. 28, No. 18; Prelude Op. 28, No. 16; Waltz in E Minor (Posth.); Prelude Op. 28, No. 7; Prelude Op. 28, No. 4; Mazurka in G Major (Posth.); Ballade Op. 47, No. 3, by Frédéric Chopin
Choreography Jerome Robbins

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was born in Poland. He was one of the most important innovators for the piano, both in terms of composition and playing style. As a pianist he was mostly self-taught, and since he did not like to give public performances, his substantial reputation was based on a very few concerts. Chopin influenced future composers, especially those of the French and Russian schools. The musical level he attained made possible future piano innovations, such as those of Debussy. Other Chopin ballets choreographed by Jerome Robbins are Dances at a Gathering (1969), In the Night (1970), and Other Dances (1976).

(Average Length 29 min.)

Stravinsky Violin Concerto

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (1931) by Igor Stravinsky
Choreography George Balanchine

In 1941, Balanchine choreographed Balustrade for the Ballet Russe to Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D. When he returned to the score three decades later, he could no longer remember his original choreography. But Balanchine was not at all disturbed by the loss. "What I did then was for then," he said, "and what I wanted to do to this music for our Stravinsky Festival... represented more than 30 years' difference." The new choreography follows the score directly: An opening "Toccata" and a final "Capriccio" enclose two central "Arias," which form contrasting pas de deux for two different couples.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), born in Russia, is acknowledged as one of the great composers of the 20th century. His work encompassed styles as diverse as Romanticism, Neoclassicism and Serialism. His ballets for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes included The Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring, and Apollo. His music has been used in over 30 ballets originating with New York City Ballet from 1948 through 1987.
(Average Length 23 min.)


Stabat Mater (1736) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Choreography Peter Martins

The medieval Latin hymn, Stabat Mater, which can be literally translated as "The mother was standing," was originally written in the 13th century to commemorate the sorrows of the Virgin Mary at the cross. It has inspired choral works by many composers, among them Palestrina, Boccherini, Verdi, Haydn, Dvorak, Scarlatti, and Rossini, in addition to Pergolesi. Set in a grotto of weathered stone, this ballet is danced by three principal couples, who are accompanied by two singers. The mood is reflective, meditative, expressive of loss and remembrance, and ultimately, of acceptance and the rebirth of hope. In a series of pas de deux, pas de trois, and solo dances, the ballet makes no specific religious references, but instead provides breathtaking images of the spiritual journey from sorrow and isolation to a place of comfort and renewal. In the repeated gesture of a man cradling a woman's face in his palm, the ballet makes the unspoken promise that the heart will heal.


(Average Length 37 min.)