Composer

:

William Schuman

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1945

First Performance

:

Oct 3, 1968

Average_duration

:

24:05

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

Undertow is a ballet composed by William Schuman in 1945. The plot of the ballet revolves around a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is torn between his desire to conform to society's expectations and his own inner desires. The ballet explores themes of identity, conformity, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. Undertow premiered on May 3, 1945, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The ballet was choreographed by Antony Tudor, with sets and costumes designed by Eugene Berman. The music for the ballet was performed by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Artur Rodzinski. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "Prelude," sets the stage for the story. The music is dark and brooding, with a sense of foreboding. The second movement, titled "Interlude," is more upbeat and lively. It features a series of dances that showcase the different characters in the story. The final movement, titled "Epilogue," brings the story to a close. The music is somber and reflective, with a sense of resolution. One of the characteristics of Undertow is its use of dissonance. Schuman was known for his use of dissonance in his compositions, and Undertow is no exception. The music is often jarring and unsettling, reflecting the inner turmoil of the main character. Another characteristic of Undertow is its use of leitmotifs. Schuman uses recurring musical themes to represent different characters and ideas in the story. This helps to tie the different movements of the ballet together and create a cohesive narrative. Overall, Undertow is a powerful and thought-provoking ballet that explores complex themes of identity and conformity. Its use of dissonance and leitmotifs make it a unique and memorable composition that continues to be performed today.

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