Andantino (ballet)

Choreography#

Andantino is a pas de deux set to the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff and writer Amanda Vaill both compared its choreography to figure skating. Kisselgoff also commented, “There’s more than a hint of a romantic relationship and embraces.”

Production#

Andantino was created for the New York City Ballet’s Tchaikovsky Festival, and was Robbins’ first ballet to Tchaikovsky’s music. He nevertheless choreographed three ballets for the festival. The ballet was created on Darci Kistler, a fifteen-year-old who was just handpicked by Balanchine to join the company from the School of American Ballet, and Ib Andersen, a new principal dancer who was previously a member of the Royal Danish Ballet. The costumes were designed by Ben Benson.

Performances#

Andantino premiered on June 4, 1981, at the New York State Theater. It was included in New York City Ballet’s Jerome Robbins Celebration, held in honor of the 90th anniversary of Robbins’ birth and 10th anniversary of his death. In 2018, for Robbins’ centenary, it was performed by New York City Ballet members at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Critical reception#

Following the premiere, Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times commented that although the ballet was Robbins’ first ballet to Tchaikovsky’s music, he “managed to create a major work in the process.”

External links#

• Andantino on New York City Ballet’s website