Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1937

First Performance

:

Feb 18, 1958

Average_duration

:

20:21

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Filling Station is a ballet composed by Virgil Thomson in 1937. The plot of the ballet revolves around a gas station in rural America. The ballet is divided into three movements, each depicting a different scene at the gas station. The first movement, titled "The Arrival," introduces the audience to the gas station and its workers. The dancers portray the hustle and bustle of a busy gas station, with cars coming and going and workers rushing to fill up tanks and check oil levels. The movement is fast-paced and energetic, with the dancers moving in sync to the lively music. The second movement, titled "The Service Station," focuses on a group of travelers who stop at the gas station. The travelers are tired and hungry, and the workers at the gas station go out of their way to provide them with food and drink. The movement is slower and more contemplative than the first, with the dancers conveying a sense of warmth and hospitality. The third and final movement, titled "The Departure," sees the travelers leaving the gas station and continuing on their journey. The workers at the gas station bid them farewell, and the movement ends with a sense of nostalgia and longing. Filling Station premiered on May 20, 1937, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The ballet was choreographed by Lew Christensen and featured sets and costumes by the artist Arch Lauterer. One of the characteristics of Filling Station is its use of American folk music. Thomson was known for incorporating traditional American music into his compositions, and Filling Station is no exception. The ballet features a mix of lively, upbeat tunes and slower, more contemplative melodies, all of which evoke the spirit of rural America. Overall, Filling Station is a charming and nostalgic ballet that captures the essence of small-town America in the 1930s. Its lively music and energetic choreography make it a joy to watch, while its themes of hospitality and community make it a timeless classic.

More....