The musician is the first Black woman to compose music for the dance company.
Solange Knowles announced yesterday via social media that she has been commissioned by the New York City Ballet to write an original score. The musical piece is to accompany a performance choreographed by Gianna Reisen – who became the youngest person to choreograph for the NYCB in 2017. The score is for a chamber ensemble and will be played by members from the City Ballet Orchestra as well as some of Solange’s musical collaborators.
The commissioned piece is set to premiere on 28 September at the NYCB’s 10th anniversary Fall Fashion Gala, which will be held at Licoln Center in New York. Following its debut, there will be additional performances in October and also in May 2023. This new score will be Solange’s first original music since her 2019 album When I Get Home.
🖤very excited to announce i’ve composed an original score for the New York City Ballet 🖤 choreography by Gianna Reisen , score performed by the City Ballet Orchestra + soloist from my ensemble 🖤
Shows : October 1, 8, 11, 16
May 2, 11, 13, 17, 18th at Lincoln Center pic.twitter.com/F0TvxzObDX— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) August 16, 2022
Dance and performance art have previously formed a significant part of Solange’s work. This new ballet score follows on from her 2019 piece Bridge-s, which was performed at Getty Center in LA, and her 2017 performance at the Guggenheim in New York entitled An Ode To.
Read: Carlota Guerrero: The Solange collaborator on femininity, performance art and her new book.