The Little Ballet

Music details
Audio sample

Scenes de Ballet, Opus 52: VII. Valse
Composed by Alexander Glazunov

The Little Ballet
World premiere date
Premiere company
Premiere location venue
Premiere location place
Minneapolis, MN
Composer
Live music by
American Ballet Theatre Orchestra
Costume designer
Lighting designer
Commissioner

American Ballet Theatre

Dancers

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Deirdre Carberry

with Elaine Kudo, Amanda McKerrow, Nancy Raffa

Total number of dancers
5
Runtime
00:12:45
Other program information

Conductor: Alan Barker

The Little Ballet was Tharp's second commission for American Ballet Theatre. Created for Mikhail Baryshnikov, then artistic director of the company, and four female dancers, this chamber ballet provided a platform for him to demonstrate his easy mastery of the classical technique. Baryshnikov and his partner alternate between passages of technical display while the ensemble waltzes in and out of the space.

  • image
    McKerrow, Baryshnikov, Carberry, Kudo and Raffa during dress rehearsal. ©Martha Swope
  • image
    Twyla Tharp Dance company members Shawn Stevens, Delphine Moussin and Allison Brown perform in 1991. ©Martha Swope
Video URL
Video Description

Baryshnikov in The Little Ballet as performed in the television special Baryshnikov by Tharp. 

Full music program

Raymonda, Op. 57: Act II - Variation II
Scenes de Ballet, Op. 52: VII. Valse
Scenes de Ballet, Op. 52: V. Pas d'Action

Composed by Alexander Glazounov

Music details
Audio sample

Scenes de Ballet, Opus 52: VII. Valse
Composed by Alexander Glazunov

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