Classical Ballet Multiplicity. Forms of Silence and Emptiness (Johann Sebastian Bach) World famous Bolshoi Ballet and Opera theatre (established 1776) - Small Stage
Schedule for Multiplicity. Forms of Silence and Emptiness (Johann Sebastian Bach) 2022
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach Choreography: Nacho Duato
Orchestra: Bolshoi Theatre Symphony Orchestra
This exuberantly beautiful two-part work by Artistic Director Nacho Duato is inspired by genius; the music of Johan Sebastian Bach.
Choreography: Nacho Duato Music: Johan Sebastian Bach (collage) Sets:
Jaffar Al Chalabi (based on an original idea of Nacho Duato) Costumes: Nacho
Duato (in collaboration with Ismael Aznar) Light Design: Brad Fields In
co-production with Weimar 1999, Cultural European Capital
World Premiere in Weimar at the Viehauktionshalle on the 23rd of April, 1999.
Pre-premiere in Spain at Teatro Calderуn, Valladolid, on the 9th of April,
1999.
Vielfältigkeit. Formen von Stille und Leere is the result of
the co production between the city of Weimar -European Cultural Capital in 1999-
and the CND. A ballet was commissioned to Nacho Duato which somehow had some
special link with the city. For Duato the answer could only be one: Bach.
Nacho’s ballet is therefore inspired in the music and life of Johan Sebastian
Bach and is divided into two parts.
The first one,
Vielfältigkeit, is a choreographic reflexion which arises
mainly from the wonderful music of the brilliant composer. This first part is
characterized by a choreographic variety and diversity which matches the linked
different musical excerpts by Bach. Continuos changes in costumes and settings
highlight visually this musical collage. The second part, Formen von
Stille und Leere, maintains a more introspective tone, more mystic and
spiritual, reflecting upon the subject of the death, so present in the work of
Bach. Musically speaking it is based mainly on the Arte of Fugue.
Folding: towards a visual
conception Stage design, J.S. Bach Vielfaeltigkeit, Formen von
stille und Leere
Vielfaeltigkeit, i.e. multiple-folds, diversity,
multiplicity, labyrinth, refers to the processual idea of folding. The Baroque
refers not to an essence but rather to an operative function to a trait. It
endlessly produces folds. The Baroque trait twists turns its folds, pushing them
to infinity fold over fold, one upon the other. The Baroque unfurls all the way
to infinity. An architectural conceptions invisions the thematic of Baroque
music of J. S. Bach, through the process of folding. In architecture, the fold
provides a model for theories of metamorphosis and covering (Bekleidung,
Gottfried von Semper). Folds are maneuverable borders which separate an interior
from the exterior, yet also create an interior within the exterior and an
exterior within the interior. Considered abstractly, it is only the type of bend
-concave or convex- that determines inside and outside, meaning the gender of
the space. In this unfixed state, the fold provides a model of
transformation.
A scaffold set at the back of a stage acting as building
retaining a curtain wall, that transforms itself from opened to closed entity.
This architectural gender of the Baroque, represents the separation of the
façade (exterior) and the closed room (interior), the outer facade of reception
and the inner rooms of action. Baroque architecture is always confronting to
principles, a bearing principle and a covering principle. The geometrically
ordered scaffold enhances several floors all connected through ramps creating a
fluid movement. These ramps represent vertical folding, spatial continuum, all
set in diagonal relations (dynamic) within a rigid structure (static). In
contrast to the building, the façade consist of an elastically membrane that
transforms itself through contractions and extensions. These contractions
provide literal models of folds, simulating zones of intervals and
densification.
Jaffar Chalabi
Compania Nacional de Danza.
Artistic Director - Nacho Duato
Photo:
Schedule for Multiplicity. Forms of Silence and Emptiness (Johann Sebastian Bach) 2022
|