Adagio Hammerklavier

Ballet in one act with choreography by van Manen, music by Beethoven, and designs by Jean-Paul Vroom. Premiered 4 Oct. 1973 by the Dutch National Ballet at Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam, with Radius, Ebbelaar, Sand, Juriens, Marchiolli, and Sinceretti. It is set to the Adagio from Beethoven's Piano Sonata in B flat (Op. 106, the Hammerklavier) as interpreted in the recording by Christoph Eschenbach. The music is played at an exceptionally slow tempo which is reflected in the slow pace of the movement for its six dancers. It has been revived for Pennsylvania Ballet (1974), Berlin Opera Ballet (1975), and the Royal Ballet (1976), among others.