Mercurial Manoeuvres
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35, by Dmitri Shostakovich

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

This witty and cheerful piece for 21 dancers opens with an explosive male variation -- a series of bravura leaps performed to a trumpet solo, that is followed by rapidly shifting ensemble work for a corps of women which materializes from behind gauze panels on each side of the stage.

After a quietly mesmerizing pas de deux of unfolding turns, arrested leaps and intricate lifts, the ballet ends with squadrons of dancers flying on and off the stage in ever-changing directions, patterns, and diagonals.
(Average Length 23 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.)