Ballet Masters of the 20th Century

[Mirror Image]

As was his wont, Barber contributed but one work to this genre, but it's a corker - one of his best: Medea

Oh man that's a smoking piece Guido. I think I'll listen to Schipper's performance later.

[Guido]

It seems I'm the only one who mentioned Hindemith's The Four Temperaments. I consider this right alongside Apollo and Orpheus in 'cool' Neo-Classical tone. This is the 'sound' that I'd like to hear more examples of,... is there aaanything 'cooler' than Apollo??

I adore the four temperaments, but like it for its incredible beauty and stormy, romantic sweep - never has neoclassicism been so moody and romantic! So unexpected in Hindemith too (a composer I love). I don't agree at all that it's cool. I agree that Apollo is the apogee of neo-classic cool - I adore it too. Stravinsky's style is perfect for the subject matter - he's the Apollonian of composers after all!

EDIT: Hmm it's cooler than I remembered (the four temperaments). Not sure how to classify it mentally...

[lescamil]

The Four Temperaments if an amazing piano concerto. It is a work by Hindemith that doesn't have as much of a "coldness" to it, which some of his other works can have. It's terrifically poignant and is a real workout for the pianist. I like it much more than I like the eponymous piano concerto by Hindemith. I actually had no idea it was a ballet! That's something I'd pay to see choreographed.

[Herman]

The Four Temperaments if an amazing piano concerto. It is a work by Hindemith that doesn't have as much of a "coldness" to it, which some of his other works can have. It's terrifically poignant and is a real workout for the pianist. I like it much more than I like the eponymous piano concerto by Hindemith. I actually had no idea it was a ballet! That's something I'd pay to see choreographed.

It's a celebrated Balanchine ballet, and it's one of the few that is available on an original video, a Nonesuch dvd.

this is an excerpt from another (not original) performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbL72wIKpyY

[snyprrr]

I adore the four temperaments, but like it for its incredible beauty and stormy, romantic sweep - never has neoclassicism been so moody and romantic! So unexpected in Hindemith too (a composer I love). I don't agree at all that it's cool. I agree that Apollo is the apogee of neo-classic cool - I adore it too. Stravinsky's style is perfect for the subject matter - he's the Apollonian of composers after all!

EDIT: Hmm it's cooler than I remembered (the four temperaments). Not sure how to classify it mentally...

The Four Temperaments if an amazing piano concerto. It is a work by Hindemith that doesn't have as much of a "coldness" to it, which some of his other works can have. It's terrifically poignant and is a real workout for the pianist. I like it much more than I like the eponymous piano concerto by Hindemith. I actually had no idea it was a ballet! That's something I'd pay to see choreographed.

It reminds me of some Middle Ages Crusade Saga, or something,... very Cinematic,... and yes, 'sweeping' is the word. It's like, in the best sense, a Fantasy Movie Score. The Delos record, with Noblissima Visione, was one of the first cds I got.

[Amfortas]

I just uploaded a performance in good sound of Dallapiccola's rarely heard ballet "Marsia" (1943), with the BBC Phil and Noseda conducting, if anyone wants to hear it:

http://www.4shared.com/file/-Js3TP8q/Dallapiccola_-_Marsia__complet.html