Taming of the Swedes

The Swedish Ballet appeared in America to repeat the revolutionary music and dances, with which it startled Paris. It began courageously with a set of New York performances (TIME, Dec. 10). It presented its full display of ear shockers and brain perplexers, including the fearsome Sacre du Printemps, music by Stravinsky. It went in uncompromisingly for musical modernism, with especial emphasis on the works of the famous "Six" of Paris, those bold youths who, headed by Darius Milhaud, have devoted their ingenuities to baiting the conservatives. In Paris, the performances given by the Swedish troupe were extravagantly loved and hated. The violent discussions and even disturbances attracted the curious. But in New York, despite the celebrity that followed the organization, it failed to attract the public. Houses were small. The troupe went on the road.

Now it has returned for more metropolitan appearances -- its complexion vastly changed. The antagonizing music has almost disappeared. Instead the Scandinavians present a program of familiar sights and sounds, with such harmless medicines as Anitra's Dance from Greig's "Peer Gynt."