Ballet by Slava Samodurov
Musik by Ottorino Respighi

The Russian choreographer and former Soloist of the Kirov Ballet and the Royal Ballet, Slava Samodurov, names his creation for the Bavarian State II "Gli Uccelli". The company seems to fly through the air, alternating between pas de deux and trios, while courting each other in a playful behavior.

Ballet by Jiří Kylián
Music by Antonín Dvořák

One of Jiři Kylian´s early works, choreographed to a score by Antonin Dvořak which sets the tone for the central theme of the piece: The dancing body as part of world culture. The inspiration stems from regional folk dances and becomes evident through the poetic portrayal of three female and male dancers on stage.

Ballet by Terence Kohler
Music by Dimitri Schostakowitsch

Terence Kohler plays with the classical vocabulary and emphasizes its virtuosity. The music is often the point of departure for his choreography. In Intermezzo the female corps de ballet forms geometric lines to suit Schostakovitsch’s ballet suite. „We need to constantly strive to expand the borders of classical ballet to keep it alive.“ says Kohler who seeks inspiration from hip-hop, modern dance and other contemporary art forms.

Ballet by Nacho Duato
Music by Heitor Villa-Lobos, arranged by Wagner Tisso (Floresta Amazonica)

Na Floresta, a magnificent ballet praising the beauty of the Amazonian rain forest, draws the very essence of its splendor from folklore. A passionate energy circulates within this work made up of sequences full of both substance and fluidity. Its success at its 1990 premiere was phenomenal. A plotless work to Villa-Lobos’ music, Na Floresta intended to communicate an intimacy and a feeling for nature that is greater than our contact with other beings. „Nacho Duato has that rare quality that consists of being able to express things through the voices of simplicity, restraint and circumspection when it comes to expressing emotion.“

 

Ballet by Marius Petipa, Ray Barra
Music by Alexander Glasunow

The Grand Pas hongrois is the climax of Marius Petipa’s narrative ballet Raymonda and is known as one of the most well-preserved choreographies of Petipa’s. In honour of the King of Hungary and the wedding of Raymonda and Jean de Brienne, the court presents a variety of dances in the form of a Grand pas in Hungarian tradition. Following the dynamic entry is an extensive adagio for the principals, accompanied by an ensemble of eight couples. Ensemble variations and the grand solo of Raymonda and Jean conclude the Grand Pas. Petipa’s mastery of seemlessly interweaving classical ballet and the essence of folklore dancing remains unparalleled

 

Ballet by George Balanchine
Music by George Gershwin, orchestrated by Hershy Kay

In 1937, George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) asked Balanchine to work on Samuel Goldwyns „Follies“ in Hollywood, but his early death prevented the collaboration. 30 years after the death of the great American composer, Balanchine choreographed a piece to an array of Gershwin songs. The vivacious ballet embodies the typical Manhattan spirit. The Gala version of Who Cares? includes three pas de deux, four solo variations and a coda by three female and one male dancer, creating a collage in various moods with a seductive and lascivious undertone.

Ballet by Richard Siegal
Music by Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry, Harry Belafonte, Benny Goodman

American choreographer Richard Siegal creates a dialogue between several couples on stage, between the limbs of their bodies, the dancer and the rhythms of Harry Belafonte, Oscar Peterson or Benny Goodman. Between the dancer and himself, who lives through the music, at the same time enjoying it and performing it, celebrating the movements, and pretending a great understatement. Cool and all of a sudden so passionate and enthusiastic.

Ballet by George Balanchine
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky

Allegro Brillante is not a narrative ballet – true to Balanchine´s philosophy, it is a visualization of Tchaikovsky`s music through movement. The small cast, consisting of a principal couple and four male and female corps de ballet members, as well as the fresh, confident American attitude contribute to the popularity of the piece.

Ballet by Ralf Jaroschinski
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky

A witty pas de deux for two men set to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. The subtle parody is created by playing on the presumed incompatibility of the music and subject at hand – which makes the piece a press - an audience favourite!

Ballet by Ray Barra (inspired by Marius Petipa)
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky

Swan Lake is one of the most iconic ballets of all times. Inspired by Marius Petipa, Ray Barra re-choreographed the work. The Bavarian State Ballet II presents the classical Pas de Six from Act I.

Choreography by Jiří Kylián
Music by Claude Débussy

Nuages is Kylián's ode to Claude Débussy's famous composition Trois Nocturnes. Kylián extracted Nuages from the three-part, 1899 orchestral score to create a dramatic ballet for one couple.