Western Symphony
Western Symphony is a ballet made by New York City Ballet co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine to American folk tunes arranged by Hershy Kay. The premiere, Tuesday, September 7, 1954, at City Center of Music and Drama, New York, was conducted by Leon Barzin and presented in practice clothes without scenery. Scenery by John Boyd and costumes by Karinska were added in 1955. Lighting was originally by Jean Rosenthal and subsequently Mark Stanley. Set in the Western United States, the ballet features cowboys and dance hall girls (or saloon girls).