Ballets

Two ballerinas, costumed as can-can dancers in black tutus, keep the male dancer, formally dressed, in close company throughout; they permit him but one brief solo variation.

Jean Françaix (1912-1997) A French composer and pianist in the Neo-classical style, Françaix began composing at an early age, publishing a piano composition at the age of nine. Influenced by his father, the director of the La Mans Conservatory, and mother, a vocal teacher, he began training at his father’s school and later studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he was a student of Nadia Boulanger. Throughout his life, Françaix composed operas; concertos; chamber music; keyboard, vocal, and choral music; and even scored films for Sacha Guitry in the1950s. His contributions to music for ballet include Serenade for Small Orchestra (1934), which Balanchine used to choreograph A La Françaix, and Concertino for piano and orchestra (1932), which Balanchine used to choreograph Concertino.

Repertory notes provided courtesy of and adapted from New York City Ballet Online Repertory Index. Additional sources: Choreography by George Balanchine: A Catalogue of Works , An Eakins Press Foundation Book, published by Viking (1984); and Repertory in Review: 40 Years of the New York City Ballet by Nancy Reynolds (1970; The Dial Press).

Music: Concertino for piano and orchestra

Composer: Francaix, Jean

Premiere: December 30, 1952

Average Ballet Length: 12 mins

Number of Dancers: 3

Costumes: Yes

Scenery: No