Four Temperaments

In 1940, George Balanchine (1904-1983) commissioned composer Paul Hindemith to write a piece of music that he could play at home on the piano. So when the American-Russian choreographer made a ballet to it in 1946, he knew the composition – The Four Temperaments – like the back of his hand. Not only did he succeed in creating a work that is still exciting and surprising 75 years later, but the tricky, swinging choreography also adds a magical dimension to Hindemith’s music.

Musical miracle

Hans van Manen’s Frank Bridge Variations is also a miracle of musicality. So much so, in fact, that according to one critic it is the only possible response in dancing to Benjamin Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge. Inspired by the music, the ballet is characterised by contrasts. A constant factor, however, is the refined simplicity that typifies Van Manen’s style. Often through the simplest of steps, he succeeds in generating maximum expression.

Fabulous and compelling

For Four Temperaments, artistic director Ted Brandsen is creating a new ballet for a big ensemble, set to John Adams’ fabulous and compelling The Chairman Dances. Brandsen already choreographed to the composition more than twenty years ago, but the music – and ‘especially its enormous momentum’ – appealed to him so much that he was inspired to create a new work to it. The result is a vibrant ballet about the joy, strength and zest for life that dance can bring us, with the verve of the music reflected in the choreography and the costume and lighting designs.

‘In your face’

In Juanjo Arqués’ new piece Full Frontal, set to Michael Gordon’s Weather One, the internationally successful young choreographer is inspired by the effects of stress on our daily lives. What impact does stress have on us and our society? And how do we cope with that? To the agitated, strident sounds of Michael Gordon’s Weather One, Arqués has choreographed an explosive twenty minutes of whirling group sections, solos and duets. His Full Frontal is a piece about real people and actual events and feelings, and – just like certain stressful situations – it hits you right in your face.