Ballets de Monte-Carlo - Tharp/ Forsythe/Maillot
Christmas holidays have been the occasion for me to attend diverse dance performances, of which I should give my feedback. Let's start with the beginning, i.e. the night in Monte carlo with the Ballets de Monte Carlo, direction Jean-Christophe Maillot.
Three pieces made up the contemporary dance oriented evening, which gave a chance to the wonderful company to practice style and technique that was not Maillot's one.
First of all: Altro Canto Part II by Maillot.
A metaphor of the choreograph in the creation process, being overwhelmed by his ideas, emboddied by a virtual figure, screened on stage, growing or dismnishing as screens move and light changes. A very refine work on the staging, with a whole play on light and shadows. From the choreography however, not much to be said. There was almost nothing all the emphasize being put on the staging. the more years go by; the more Maillot is becominng a Stage Director rather than a choreographer.this is a trend thar was already obvious in his Faust. A little bit sad, if I may, when you have such an amazing company at your disposal, that needs to be trained and challenged.
The music chosen for this world creation, by Maillot's brother, was contemporary. Too much for my taste, for Maillot belongs to atonal composers.
Well.. next piece
In the middle, somewhat elevated, by Forsythe
Fosythe is a genius. He really pushed the classical technique to its extreme boundaries. His pieces are extremelly technical, physical, and impressive, so much that only world-class dancers would manage to dance one of his piece. In that respect, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo were a bit too short on techniaue, though that was still acceptable. So technique is this that even dance neophyte manage to see at first sight how technical the piece is.
Originally created for the Paris Opera, the 25 min ballet involves 9 dancers, It is absolutely breath-taking, with no time to relax. Intensity is one of the other main features in Forsythe's creations.
Nevertheless, once more, the music was somehow disappointing: Too loud, and atonal again. It carried the intensity of the choreography throughout, but was not pleasont for the ears.
However, I have been once more delighted to be able to watch Forsyth's work
In the upper room, by Twyla Tharp
Première in Monte Carlo. The piece by the American Twyla Tharp, on the very vivd and joyful music by Philip Glass, was created in 1986. Nevertheless, it has remained surprisingly modern. A little recreation with typical glamourous American girls and boys, ballet danced with snekers, humour, a lot of humour, and so much life. A pure moment of pleasure
Well, the evening was very well built, with a good progression in the pieces. We can only regret that the two fist music was so little hearable.