Title
Dance Panels
Subtitle
Ballet in Seven Sections
For
orchestra
Alternate Title
  • Ballet for J.R. (Previous Title)
Year Composed
1959
Year Modified
1962 (revised)
Scoring
2(I=afl ad lib,II=picc).1.2.1-2.2.1.0-perc(2):glsp/xyl/cyms/tgl/ 4tpl.bl/wdbl/BD/SD-strings
ARCO Number(s)
79
Category
Ballet
Duration
26'
Sections
  • I. Introduction: Moderato (Tempo di Valzer)
  • II. Allegretto con tenerezza (un poco rubato)
  • III. Scherzando
  • IV. Pas de Trois: Lento
  • V. Con brio
  • VI. Con moto
  • VII. Molto ritmico
Premiere
  • World: Munich, December 3rd, 1963 (Bavarian State Opera, cond. Copland)
Commission Info
Jerome Robbins, for his company, Ballets: U.S.A.
Related Persons
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Publishing Status
Published
Buying Options
Boosey & Hawkes

Program Note

Ever since Jerome Robbins had directed the opera, The Tender Land, he and Copland had wanted to work together again. Robbins asked him for ballet music, and Copland created a piano score. Robbins said, "A strange thing happened. When I began working with the company, I got interested in what they were doing with just the counts and without the music. I was sorry I wasn't able to do Dance Panels." The music was revised later for use by another ballet company. Finally, it became an orchestral work in seven contrasting sections.

Author
Vivian Perlis
Year
1998