Ms. Nichols worked magic in "Pavane," a poignant yet seldom performed solo that Balanchine created for the company's Ravel Festival in 1975.

Mr. Robbins's version originally went by the French title in the City Ballet's 1975 Ravel Festival.

Jerome Robbins choreographed "In G Major" for City Ballet's 1975 Ravel Festival.

On the same program, Darci Kistler and Ben Huys made their debuts in "Sonatine," a meandering and unconventional duet that Balanchine choreographed for the company's 1975 Ravel Festival.

Created for City Ballet's 1975 Ravel Festival, the piece presents fairy tales in brief as the dreams of the Sleeping Beauty.

Created for the company's 1975 Ravel Festival, the ballet has aged well.

Though the piece was one of the few enduring works to come out of the company's 1975 Ravel Festival, it looked at first like a ravishingly pretty trifle, full of light, air, simplicity and order.

"Sonatine," another product of the Ravel Festival, has not grown more consequential-looking.

The premiere took place May 29, 1975, as part of New York City Ballet's Ravel Festival at the Lincoln Center.

He provided notable musical support for the New York City Ballet's Stravinsky Festivals of 1972 and 1982, its Ravel Festival of 1975 and its Tchaikovsky Festival of 1981.