Classical Music Forum banner

Composers whose non-ballet music works as ballet music

17K views 57 replies 42 participants last post by  shostythesnowman 
#1 ·
There are some composers who have written countless works that have been choreographed. Stravinsky comes to mind first. In addition to his many ballet scores, the sense of propulsive rhythm that dominates scores like the Symphony in C and the Violin Concerto has led to their being set to dance as well. Contemporary American composer John (Coolidge) Adams has received much the same treatment.

Can people here think of any other composers like that?
 
#2 · (Edited)
A few spring to mind, but really only as hypotheticals, I don't know if choreography for these pieces actually exists. Gershwin, I think, should come as no surprise as a good choice for choreography. His music is often cited for its melodic qualities, but I think his sense of rhythm was also very keen as exemplified by the Cuban Overture and the Piano Concerto.

Mahler's scherzos, particularly his later, more angular ones, would make for very interesting ballet music. I'd be surprised if most of them hadn't been treated this way already. I know there was a stage work which made use of Mahler's 3rd, although when I think of dance that isn't one of his that immediately springs to mind.

Scelsi's Khoom for string quartet, percussion, horn and soprano is full of exciting and unusual rhythms, and would be a great score for dance. The characteristic Scelsian drones in some of the "episodes" would also make for an interesting contrast, a very slow type of dance that would offset the frenetic quality of the other parts. The mannered Gagaku style comes to mind as a good jumping off point.
 
#3 ·
Michael Torke, later commissioned to write pieces for dance, has a lot of scores which were concert music later choreographed.

John Adams: Lollapalooza, Fearful Symmetry are both choreographed, I believe multiple times.

Stravinsky: Balanchine turned several concert pieces into ballet, "Jewels" being the violin concerto, I think.

It seems a certain emotional remove, plus a motorific sense of rhythmic momentuum are what, late 20th and now, the choreographers are going for.
 
#5 ·
Many of Tchaikovsky's works have been choreographed, mainly by George Balanchine, co-founder of the New York City Ballet and its balletmaster for several years. Some of his works that were used include his Piano Concerto No. 1 (second movement), Piano Concerto No. 2, Symphony Nos. 1 & 3, Serenade for Strings, Suites Nos. 3 & 4, Valse-Scherzo, and various piano works.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Some of Chopin's pieces where orchestrated into a ballet called Les Sylphides. Trust Glazunov to do it, himself one of the great Russian masters of ballet. Respighi arranged some of Rossini's tunes into a piece called La Boutique Fantasque. Another one like this is Offenbach arranged by Manuel Rosenthal into Gaite Parisienne. The late conductor Sir Charles Mackerras did the same for Arthur Sullivan in Pineapple Poll. Another one is J. Strauss II's tunes arranged by Antal Dorati into Graduation Ball. All of these would be on youtube and are well worth a listen! Its interesting to try and work out which tune is from which opera, operetta, etc.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Peter Pan, a new ballet by choreographer Trey McIntyre debut this year. It was performed by the Houston ballet and the PA ballet. Music consisted of 22 pieces by Elgar including the violin solo from the Crown of India Suite, Wand of Youth Suites 1&2, and In The South Overture.
I did not see it but my sister did and she enjoyed it immensely. Plot was easy to follow, since we are all very familiar with it. I'm not sure if there are any plans for any other company to perform it in the future.
 
#12 ·
Some parts of Holst's Planets Suite seem ballet-like and I'm amused by the vision I have of seven dancers with oversized tennis balls on their heads (especially one which would need to have a concentric ring structure affixed).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mahlerian
#16 · (Edited)
Grant Hossack orchestrated Scott Joplin's music to produce the ballet "Prodigal Son" for the London Festival Ballet.
"Les Sylphides" has been orchestrated by a number of composers including Britten,Gretchaninov,Roy Douglas and Gordon Jacob which is the version mostly used.
Hershey Kay orchestrated Gottshalk to produce the music for Ballanchine's "Tarantela" and also Ballanchine's ballet "Western Symphony" using Sousa's music.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mahlerian
#23 ·
Glazunov's Scenes de Ballet is a superb example, as are his numerous scherzi of his major works (say, his Fifth Symphony for instance) and Chopaniana (that was to become Les Sylphides). His Oriental Rhapsody is worth a thought. Also, how about Bax's "Spring Fire" or Nielsen's "Aladdin?"
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top