New York City Ballet: All Balanchine Winter Program

New York City Ballet: All Balanchine is a wide-ranging repertoire of classical and contemporary ballet by one of the world's greatest choreographers, George Balanchine. The program will vary according to the season, with the Winter 2015 program including the pieces below:

ALL BALANCHINE I CLASSIC COMBINATION

Serenade - Balanchine's first American ballet was originally conceived as a training exercise; however it is now performed all over the world and is regarded as a romantic ballet, complete with a soulful score.

Agon - this stripped-back, black and white piece was concieved by both Balanchine and his frequent collaborator Stravinsky. The focus is on the dance itself, with no mythological context, nor a set.

Symphony in C - The score was first composed by a 17 year-old Georges Bizet whilst studying at Paris Conservatory. Lost for decades, it was uncovered by Stravinsky in 1933, and formed part of the NYCB repetoire in 1948. It is notable for the gorgeous Swarovski-encrusted costumes, a tradition that continues today despite various revivals.

ALL BALANCHINE II

Donizetti Variations - Witness feats of bravura dancing in this salute to a century since the unification of Italy. This upbeat ballet offsets the sombre mood of the other works in this program. Music by Gaetano Donizetti

La Valse - Composed by Ravel, the music and Balanchine's neo-romantic choreography epitomizes "dancing on the edge": couples waltz in a huge ballroom where a woman clad in white is both terrified yet transfixed by a mysterious figure - Death.

Chaconne - At once upbeat yet courtly, this ballet conjures up memories of ancient figures in short tunics, providing a delicate balance between modernity and classicism.