Hoctor's Ballet
Encyclopedia
Hoctor's Ballet is a long movement by George Gershwin
for full orchestra written in 1937, originally from the score for Shall We Dance. Performance time runs about 15 minutes.
This piece features string glissandos, rapid shifts in key, and the most extensive parts Gershwin wrote for the harp; written by Gershwin specifically for the ballerina Harriet Hoctor
. This piece consists of a dramatic introduction followed by a fast waltz, a stately procession, an extended pas de deux, and a climactic reprise (also noted in some books as a separate "Shall We Dance" or "Finale and Coda" scene.)
This is the only published music from the Shall We Dance score available besides the Walking the Dog
sequence, and is significant as the last long composition written by Gershwin for the symphony orchestra.
The premiere live concert performance of Hoctor's Ballet occurred on July 28, 2007 at the Severance Hall
Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio; Loras John Schissel conducting the Blossom Festival
Orchestra.
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
for full orchestra written in 1937, originally from the score for Shall We Dance. Performance time runs about 15 minutes.
This piece features string glissandos, rapid shifts in key, and the most extensive parts Gershwin wrote for the harp; written by Gershwin specifically for the ballerina Harriet Hoctor
Harriet Hoctor
Harriet Hoctor was a ballerina, dancer, actress and instructor from Hoosick Falls, New York. Composer George Gershwin composed a symphonic orchestral piece specifically for Hoctor in the film Shall We Dance .-Family:Born to Timothy Hoctor and Elizabeth Kearny, Harriet Hoctor was one of four...
. This piece consists of a dramatic introduction followed by a fast waltz, a stately procession, an extended pas de deux, and a climactic reprise (also noted in some books as a separate "Shall We Dance" or "Finale and Coda" scene.)
This is the only published music from the Shall We Dance score available besides the Walking the Dog
Walking the Dog
"Walking the Dog" is a Rufus Thomas song. It was released on his 1963 album Walking the Dog. It was his signature hit and also his biggest, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963 and remaining on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks...
sequence, and is significant as the last long composition written by Gershwin for the symphony orchestra.
The premiere live concert performance of Hoctor's Ballet occurred on July 28, 2007 at the Severance Hall
Severance Hall
Severance Hall is a concert hall located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The hall has been the home of the Cleveland Orchestra since its opening on February 5, 1931...
Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio; Loras John Schissel conducting the Blossom Festival
Blossom Festival
The Blossom Festival is a summer music festival of orchestral music located at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The festival was originally created to provide a summer concert vehicle for the Cleveland Orchestra and the Blossom Music Center was specifically built to host the festival...
Orchestra.
- See specifically Gershwin: A New Critical Biography, by Edward Jablonski (1998) pg. 300-304 and Gershwin: His Life and Work, by Howard Pollack (2006) pg. 671 for specific discussions on the genesis of this piece.