Some Forever-Irretrievable Event

Sometimes I think about what it would have been like to be at some forever irretrievable event such as the first performance of Figaro or Tristan. But never mind: I WAS at the dance premiere of Agon. And at some rehearsals, too. Stravinsky watched with delight, whispered a lot to Balanchine, and when a viola slide in the Double pas de quatre was too refined for him, he walked to the railing of the pit and indicated what he wanted with a single word to Leon Barzin, the conductor: “Ormandy!”

Michael Steinberg