Western Symphony
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A Balanchine ballet choreographed in 1954 to music arranged by Hershey Kay set in the West. The ballet features cowboys and dancehall girls (or saloon girls).
[edit] Setting
The ballet follows no plot but shows 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
- Adagio (Waltz)
- Scherzo
- Rondo
But the Scherzo movement was removed due to the complex nature male bravura required. The remaining three movements are:
- Allegro
- Adagio (Waltz)
- Rondo
The Allegro is for four cowboys, eight girls (divided into two groups of four) and a lead couple. The entire Allegro is lengthy and goes for about ten minutes. 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 flirtations, leaves without him. The rondo has a lead couple but is for the entire cast.
[edit] Music
Hershey Kay adapted and arranged the music from traditional Western melodies. Although the movements are entitled "Allegro", "Adagio (Waltz)" and "Rondo" they don't really remain true to their title. 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.
