Performed as a World Premiere July 11, 12, 13, 2008
Performed in repertory July 17 & 18, 2009
Choreography: Robert Dekkers
Music: Yann Tiersen
Costumes: Robert Dekkers
No. of Dancers: 7
Robert Dekkers
As George Balanchine was oft quoted saying “see the music and hear the dance”, this new piece takes the visual cue one
step forward by contrasting black costumes with white scenery reminiscent of the notes on a piece of sheet music. In citing
Balanchine as an influence, along with Jiri Kylian, Robert sees dance as an interpretation of music as well as an impetus for
further appreciation and understanding of it. Feeling that dance is the most expressive way to experiment with and analyze
contemporary themes, he utilizes dancers in communal and collective experiences evolving through music and time. In this
case, the music is a mesmerizing and intimate 4-movement piano and accordion piece by Yann Tiersen.
This choreography is a contrast to his 2006 work, the colorful Toccare which was a winning entry in the 2008 Ballet
Builders competition in New York. In working on a new piece, Robert takes into the studio some preconceived notions of
the basic architecture and movement concepts he would like to develop, but at that point it’s a process of creation between
him and the dance artists. One aspect of this process is choreographing movement to a favorite or comfortable piece of
music, then applying that same choreography to a new composition. By letting the new composition define the timing
and attack, the result is almost always a surprise.
