Three Dance Variations from “Fancy Free”
Leonard BERNSTEIN
1918 -1990
Leonard Bernstein was just 26 when he composed the ballet Fancy Free in 1944, one year after making his successful debut with the New York Philharmonic. It was just the beginning of the musical icon’s dazzling career as a pianist, conductor, composer and broadcaster. The ballet is set in New York during World War II and features three sailors in search of female conquests. The three dance excerpts from the work occur near the story’s conclusion. As the three sailors only caught the attention of two women, they have to decide who will be left out. The first sailor dances a galop, the second a waltz, and the third a danzón, ending in a brawl.
© François Zeitouni
June 2024