George Balanchine

Tonight's final programme in the present series celebrates the work of the late George Balanchine , widely recognised as one of the century's foremost dance figures. Recorded at the New York City Ballet's Balanchine Festival, it includes highlights from some of the Russian-bom choreographer's most popular works. The programme begins with an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's Themes and Variations, followed by Stars and Stripes, Balanchine's tribute to the country where he spent the last four decades of his life, which is danced to the all-American music of John Philip Sousa. The company glides through the Der Rosenkavalier section of Richard Strauss 's Vienna Waltzes and Paris Opera ballet star Manuel Legris performs a solo from Square Dance before Britain's Darcey Bussell provides a programme highlight with her performance in Stravinsky's Agon.