description Vienna Waltzes Overview
Vienna Waltzes is a full-length ballet choreographed by Jiří Kylián. It utilizes music from Johann Strauss II to portray the refined social customs of Viennese ball culture in the late nineteenth century. The work, notable for its neoclassical style and influence of George Balanchine’s approach, is performed by professional ballet companies and appreciated by dance enthusiasts and those interested in 20th-century ballet history.
help Vienna Waltzes FAQ
Who choreographed Vienna Waltzes?
Vienna Waltzes was choreographed by George Balanchine for New York City Ballet. It premiered at the New York State Theater on June 23, 1977.
What music is used in Vienna Waltzes?
The score draws on Johann Strauss II, Franz Lehar, and Richard Strauss. The ballet is a tribute to Austrian ballroom culture rather than a single narrative plot.
Why is Vienna Waltzes considered unusually lavish for Balanchine?
Balanchine is often associated with stripped-down neoclassical ballets, but Vienna Waltzes uses grand costumes, social-dance imagery, and a large stage picture. Karinska designed the costumes, giving the work a much more opulent look than ballets like Agon.
Does Vienna Waltzes use only waltz steps?
No, it uses waltz rhythm and Viennese social-dance atmosphere, but it is still a staged ballet. Balanchine shapes the sections around different musical worlds, including Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier.
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