415. Robert Schumann's 'Davidsbündlertänze' 1980
Robert Schumann (Op. 6, 1837)
George Balanchine
Scenery and costumes by Rouben Ter-Arutunian. Lighting by Ronald Bates
June 19, 1980, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater. On-stage pianist: Gordon Boelzner. (Preview: Annual New York City Ballet Gala Benefit, June 12.)
Karin von Aroldingen, Adam Lüders; Suzanne Farrell, Jacques d’Amboise; Heather Watts, Peter Martins; Kay Mazzo, Ib Andersen
Performance Type
Ballet
Video Archives Recording
George Balanchine Foundation Interpreters Archive (roles originated by Karin von Aroldingen and Adam Lüders), 2007
Note
Four couples perform the eighteen Dances of the League of David, choreographed to piano music Schumann wrote for Clara Wieck, who later became his wife. The original bylines expressing Schumann’s multiple selves were expunged by him from later editions of the score; however, the dances appear to suggest facets of Schumann and Clara’s personalities.
Recorded Performances
Videos/DVD
1995, Nonesuch, The Balanchine Library [1981];
2001, Winstar TV & Video, Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse (excerpt);
2004, Kultur, Balanchine (excerpt)
Film
1996, Seahorse Films, Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse (excerpt)

1980 excerpt (CBS)
1982 (CBS Cable)
1983 (British television, South Bank Show)
1990 (German television)