Choreography / 1956

Suite for Five

This dance was created by adding a trio, a duet and a quintet to Cunningham’s earlier "Solo Suite in Space and Time". By 1958, the original piece had been modified so that Cunningham’s five solos were reduced to three, and a solo for Carolyn Brown was added. The classic purity and tranquility of "Suite for Five" is acknowledged in the program note, which read, “The events and sounds of this ballet revolve around a quiet center, which though silent and unmoving, is the source from which they happen.” The music, Cage’s "Music for Piano", and the choreography, relied on the imperfections in paper and on chance operations, to determine both the musical composition and the movement of the ballet. Robert Rauschenberg designed the earth-toned leotards, with lighting by Beverly Emmons.

Details

Premiere Date

May 18, 1956

Premiere Venue

University of Notre Dame

Premiere Location

South Bend, IN

Music

John Cage, Music for Piano

Costumes

Robert Rauschenberg

Lighting

Robert Rauschenberg

Duration

23 minutes

Original Cast

Carolyn Brown

Remy Charlip

Merce Cunningham

Viola Farber

Marianne Preger-Simon