Divertissement (2026)

Jerome Sorcsek
Divertissement (2026)
I. Promenade
II. The Razumovsky Quadrille
III. Adagio
IV. Variations and Coda

Divertissement is exemplary of the music one will find within an act of a dramatic ballet. The St. Patrick’s Day dance scene from the film “Fort Apache” was the impetus behind the “Promenade” movement.

The second movement is a classic, six-section Viennese quadrille, as composed by the Strauss family and others. The themes in this piece are taken from the three Beethoven Opus 59 quartets, hence the title “The Razumovsky Quadrille”.  

“Adagio” is the centerpiece for the principal dancers. The “Variations” are intended to feature principal and solo dancers. The entire corps de ballet, principals, and soloists dance the “Coda”, at the end of which there is another reference to film – “Trapeze”. Gina Lollobrigida’s character stays on the trapeze to show off to the owner of the circus she wants to join. The orchestra is forced to repeat the aerial act’s exit music until she finally descends.