Composer

:

Igor Stravinsky

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1928

First Performance

:

Apr 27, 1928

Average_duration

:

29:52

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Apollon musagète, also known as Apollo, is a ballet composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1927. The ballet was commissioned by the Ballets Russes and premiered on June 12, 1928, at the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt in Paris, France. The choreography was created by George Balanchine, who also danced the role of Apollo. The ballet tells the story of Apollo, the Greek god of music and poetry, and his muses. The first movement, titled "Prologue," introduces the three muses: Calliope, the muse of epic poetry; Polyhymnia, the muse of sacred poetry; and Terpsichore, the muse of dance. Apollo enters and chooses Terpsichore as his muse, and the two dance a pas de deux. The second movement, titled "Variation d'Apollon," features Apollo dancing a solo. The music is characterized by its use of a solo violin, which represents Apollo's lyre. The third movement, titled "Pas d'action," features Apollo and Terpsichore dancing together again. This time, they are joined by two other muses, who represent the arts of mime and pantomime. The four dancers perform a complex and intricate dance, which showcases Balanchine's innovative choreography. The final movement, titled "Apotheose," features Apollo ascending to Mount Olympus, where he is welcomed by the other gods. The music is triumphant and celebratory, and the ballet ends with a sense of joy and exaltation. Apollon musagète is characterized by its neoclassical style, which combines elements of classical ballet with modernist music. Stravinsky's score is marked by its use of dissonance and complex rhythms, which reflect the composer's interest in the music of ancient Greece. Balanchine's choreography is similarly innovative, emphasizing clean lines and precise movements. Overall, Apollon musagète is a landmark work in the history of ballet, and it remains a popular and influential piece to this day. Its combination of classical and modernist elements has inspired countless choreographers and composers, and its themes of creativity and inspiration continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

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