Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's New Works program delivers a heavenly night of dance, showcasing the company's enduring appeal through skill, craft, beauty, and humanity. The program features two transcendent pieces: Medhi Walerski's Blink of an Eye and Lar Lubovitch's Many Angels.
Blink of an Eye: A Spare and Beautiful Composition
Medhi Walerski's Blink of an Eye, originally created in 2011 for Nederlands Dans Theater, is a spare, composed, and unbound work set to Bach's music for solo violin. The eight dancers form visual chords—first a line, later a circle—that dissolve into solos, duets, and trios. The counterpointed lines of movement mirror the music: limbs stretch like strings, torsos curve and coil like the body of a violin, and the phrasing is exact yet unfettered. It is a rare, spacious, and beautiful composition that tilts towards transcendence.
Many Angels: A Heavenly Tableau
Lar Lubovitch's Many Angels, made in 2024 when he was 81, is set to the yearning, unsettled sonorities of Mahler's Symphony No. 5. Five dancers, against a cloudscape backdrop, form and reform frieze-like tableaux, passing moments of statuesque beauty that melt back into movement. The piece is unhurried yet quickening towards its emotional climax, portraying a kind of heaven on stage.
Comparison of the Two Works
| Element | Blink of an Eye | Many Angels |
|---|---|---|
| Choreographer | Medhi Walerski | Lar Lubovitch |
| Music | Bach solo violin | Mahler Symphony No. 5 |
| Mood | Spare, transcendent | Yearning, heavenly |
| Number of Dancers | 8 | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's New Works program showcases skill, craft, and humanity.
- Medhi Walerski's Blink of an Eye is a spare, beautiful composition set to Bach.
- Lar Lubovitch's Many Angels portrays a heavenly realm with Mahler's music.
- Both pieces highlight the company's enduring appeal and artistic aim towards the sublime.
FAQ
What is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's New Works program?
The New Works program features new choreographic works performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, showcasing contemporary dance pieces that highlight the company's artistry and versatility.
Who choreographed Blink of an Eye?
Blink of an Eye was choreographed by Medhi Walerski. It was originally created in 2011 for Nederlands Dans Theater and is set to Bach's music for solo violin.
What is Many Angels about?
Many Angels, choreographed by Lar Lubovitch, is set to Mahler's Symphony No. 5 and portrays a heavenly realm where dancers form and reform frieze-like tableaux against a cloudscape backdrop.
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