[2] However, he stated he always enjoyed his music and decided "it would be a good idea to celebrate this wonderful composer’s life and work by arranging new dances to as many scores as we could.
"[1] Two French-born principal dancers, Violette Verdy and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, were chosen to originate the two roles in the ballet.
[2] Sonatine had a preview performance on May 14, 1975, at the New York State Theater, during a gala benefit attended by French and American dignitaries.
[5] In 2015, Sonatine was filmed during the New York City Ballet's appearances at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
[8] Following the premiere of Sonatine, New York Times critic Clive Barnes commented, "The form of the duet – with its casual dancers around a piano – recalls Duo Concertante [sic] in its calculated informality, and Mr. Balanchine's dances hug the music comfortably.