Opus 1
Choreography by Devon Carney
Music by Franz Schubert
Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman
It is one of the most daunting choreographic challenges to create something where nothing existed before. This is what confronts every choreographer who is commissioned to produce a world premiere. A never before seen work of complete originality. However, for Mr. Carney, with the amazingly talented dancers of Kansas City Ballet, it is not such a lonely path.
Mr. Carney wishes to dedicate this world premiere work to the artists of this great worldclass ballet company. They are his inspiration and motivation. This is a non-narrative work which is in its essence that of the classical ballet discipline expressed through the execution of the choreography. The music, Franz Schubert’s Symphony #9, Finale: Allegro Vivace, was not performed until after his passing. It has been nicknamed “The Great” symphony and rightly so since it is a work on a grand scale. It is generally agreed that this is Schubert’s most fully thought out work for orchestra. Mr. Carney is very moved by this musical work which Kansas City Ballet Music Director and long-time friend of more than 30 years, Ramona Pansegrau, introduced him to. It is a truly magnificent piece of great symphonic work. It is also quite a treat to have the Kansas City Symphony play this creation for the final offering on the program.
World Premiere: Kansas City Ballet, October 11, 2013, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts