24 PReLUDES by CHOPIN
about
Using the 24 Preludes in Frédéric Chopin's opus 28 as her source of inspiration, Marie Chouinard has choreographed this piece with a spirit that reflects her great facility in dealing with the demands of a classical form, musical in this instance. In this jubilant yet solemn work, the dance melds with the music for an energetic, stirring and resolutely contemporary whole.
Playing with the very structure of these preludes written for the piano, Marie Chouinard has created a pure, lavish piece. Guided by intuition and the melodic force of these free form musical pieces, she has fashioned a composite dance consisting of solos, duos, trios and group movements that marry gentleness with strength, and subtlety with rawness. 24 Preludes by Chopin is a choreographic work constructed of dynamic alternations that are constantly in touch with the music and the feelings it evokes, such as chastity, passion, introspection, ardour or rebellion. They are transposed by Marie Chouinard into states of agitation and practiced movement, a vast terrain of forbidden games sculpted by light.
information
Ballet in one act
Length | 45 min
Created at the TanzWochen Wien Festival, Vienna, Austria, July 30, 1999*
A Compagnie Marie Chouinard production
credits
Choreography and Artistic Direction | Marie Chouinard
Music | 24 Preludes, opus 28 by Frédéric Chopin
Lighting | Axel Morgenthaler
Costumes | L Vandal
Make-up | Jacques-Lee Pelletier
*Dancers for the world premiere | Elijah Brown, Carla Maruca, Lucie Mongrain, Luciane Pinto, Isabelle Poirier, Carol Prieur, Peter Trosztmer, Élise Vanderborght
press excerpts
« The piece itself is an absolute delight. » - J. Autumn Needles, Edge Seattle, Washington, 26 janvier 2013
« If [24 Preludes by Chopin] were on DVD, I’d have it on repeat play at home right now. » - Michael Upchruch, Seattle Times, 28 janvier
« 24 Preludes by Chopin would be a memorable evening of dance, full of evocative tableaux and emotional messages about the meaning of life and the artist's role within it.» - Michael Scott, The Vancouver Sun, Vancouver, 2000
«... one of her most refreshingly inventive works. [...] Chouinard’s choreography requires virtuoso performers. Thankfully, this is exactly what the dancers are. [...] As soloists, they are standouts. » - Michael Crabb, National Post, Toronto, 2000