Balanchine's Mozart Masterpiece
The realms of music and dance are forever intertwined, sometimes most strongly represented in the all important relationship between the ballet master and his chosen composer. Balanchine's Symphonie Concertante, which was first presented by the School of American Ballet in 1954, is a breathtaking display of devilishly difficult classical technique interlinked with Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante in E flat Major for Violin, where the principle dancer's roles correspond to solo instruments, namely a viola and violin.
Whilst Balanchine did not intend the dancers to represent the instruments, the interplay between dancer and instrument is seamless. Over the course of three movements - Allegro maestoso, Andante and Presto - the piece dazzles with its exquisite sense of reflection and structure, creating a stunning dialogue between dancer and instrument that echoes across the stage in perfect patterns, as well as moments of tension and release.