Abstract/Life, J-Ch. Maillot's creation // photo©AB
Abstract/Life, J-Ch. Maillot's creation // photo©AB

Violin Concerto & Abstract/Life

G. Balanchine - J-Ch. Maillot

In collaboration with the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo, Artistic Advisor: Marc Monnet

For the spring of 2018, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo are offering a program made up of two ballets. The first, VIOLIN CONCERTO (composed by Stravinski), marks the great return of Balanchine. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, which have showcased 19 ballets by “Mister B”, are among the best companies to have performed it. The choreographer, who refuses to speak about his work in terms of preference, himself agreed to say that this “Violin Concerto” was “well made”; that it to say, that it had reached, on the technical side, a “certain” point of fulfillment.

The second ballet proposed takes up the idea of a vast concerto, this time for cello and orchestra. Bruno Mantovani’s score was commissioned by Marc Monnet (Artistic Advisor to the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo). Sensitive to the way in which Jean-Christophe Maillot appropriates all types of music, the composer created “Abstract”, which alternates between dazzling contrasts and moments of waiting before submitting his piece to the choreographer, with whom he had already collaborated in 2004 for the superb “Miniatures” ballet.

 


VIOLIN CONCERTO > GEORGE BALANCHINE
Choregraphy: George Balanchine
Music: Igor Stravinski, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major
Lighting: Ronald Bates (original production) and Dominique Drillot (current production)
Re-staged by: Bart Cook and Maria Calegari
Assisted by: Giovanna Lorenzoni et Asier Uriagereka
Premiere by New York City Ballet on June 18th 1972, Stravinsky Festival, New York State Theater
Premiere by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo on December 28th 1986
Duration: 23 min


ABSTRACT/LIFE (CREATION) > JEAN-CHRISTOPHE MAILLOT
Choregraphy: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Abstract* for violoncelle and orchestra. Original composition: Bruno Mantovani
Commissioned by the festival Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo - ©Editions Henry Lemoine 
Assistant choreographers: Bernice Coppieters, Gaëtan Morlotti
Scenography and Costumes: Aimée Moreni
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Premiere held on April 26th 2018 at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
Duration: 45 min

With the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Pascal Rophé.
Liza Kerob (violon)
Solo violoncelle for “Abstract”: Marc Coppey