Andantino (ballet)

Andantino, originally titled Pas de Deux, is a ballet choreographed by Jerome Robbins to the second movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. The ballet was made for the New York City Ballet's Tchaikovsky Festival, and premiered on June 4, 1981, at the New York State Theater, originated by Darci Kistler and Ib Andersen.

Andantino
ChoreographerJerome Robbins
MusicPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
PremiereJune 4, 1981 (1981-06-04)
New York State Theater
Original ballet companyNew York City Ballet
DesignBen Benson
Ronald Bates
Created forDarci Kistler
Ib Andersen
GenreNeoclassical ballet

Choreography

Andantino is a pas de deux set to the second movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.[1] It does not follow the structure of a classical pas de deux, and has neither solos nor the coda.[1] New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff and writer Amanda Vaill both compared its choreography to figure skating.[1][2] Kisselgoff also commented, "There's more than a hint of a romantic relationship and embraces."[1]

Production

Andantino was created for the New York City Ballet's Tchaikovsky Festival, and was Robbins' first ballet to Tchaikovsky's music.[3] The festival was conceived by George Balanchine.[4] Robbins, however, was not interested in choreographing to Tchaikovsky's works.[5] He nevertheless choreographed three ballets for the festival.[4] He later recalled, "Two months before the Tchaikovsky festival, I thought, I don't like Tchaikovsky ... Why should I do Tchaikovsky? Because Mr. Balanchine wants me to do Tchaikovsky? But you don't necessarily have to enjoy doing something for it to be good."[4]

The ballet was created on Darci Kistler, a fifteen-year-old who was just handpicked by Balanchine to join the company from the School of American Ballet, and Ib Andersen, a new principal dancer who was previously a member of the Royal Danish Ballet.[2] The costumes were designed by Ben Benson.[3] The lighting was designed by Ronald Bates,[6] who was also the stage manager.[2]

Andantino was among the ballets performed on the opening night of the Tchaikovsky Festival. Robbins had planned Andantino for a "special place in the program", but found out it would be included on that day through the presentation order, which was changed by Balanchine. It resulted in the only serious clash between Robbins and Balanchine, though Balanchine apologized the following day.[2][4] It premiered under the title Pas de Deux, but was renamed to its current title later that year.[7]

Performances

Andantino premiered on June 4, 1981, at the New York State Theater.[6] It was included in New York City Ballet's Jerome Robbins Celebration, held in honor of the 90th anniversary of Robbins' birth and 10th anniversary of his death.[8] In 2018, for Robbins' centenary, it was performed by New York City Ballet members at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.[9]

Critical reception

Following the premiere, Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times commented that although the ballet was Robbins' first ballet to Tchaikovsky's music, he "managed to create a major work in the process."[3]

References
  1. Kisselgoff, Anna (June 14, 1994). "Review/City Ballet; 'The Concert' Is Part of an All-Robbins Evening". New York Times.
  2. Vaill, Amanda (May 6, 2008). Somewhere: The Life of Jerome Robbins. pp. 475–476. ISBN 9780767929295.
  3. Kisselgoff, Anna (June 5, 1981). "City Ballet Opens Its Tchaikovsky Festival". New York Times.
  4. Lawrence, Greg (May 7, 2001). Dance with Demons: The Life Jerome Robbins. p. 441. ISBN 9781101204061.
  5. Jowitt, Deborah (2004). Jerome Robbins: His Life, His Theater, His Dance. ISBN 9780684869858.
  6. "Andantino". New York City Ballet. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  7. "City Ballet Is Reviving 8 Tchaikovsky Ballets". New York Times. October 24, 1981.
  8. Walker, Susan (May 12, 2008). "Dance legend is celebrated worldwide". Toronto Star.
  9. Parker, Janine (August 24, 2018). "Stars of American Ballet program at Jacob's Pillow honors Jerome Robbins on his centenary". The Berkshire Eagle.
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