George Balanchine commissioned this composition in 1969, after having choreographed successfully two compositions by Xenakis in the past: Metastaseis and Pithoprakta, completed in 1955 and 1957 respectively. Even though these two compositions were not initially thought to be ballets, Xenakis already had previously written a ballet: Kraanerg, for orchestra and tape. Antikhthon was composed to be premiered by the New York City Ballet. As Xenakis puts it:
