Beethoven’s 32 Variations in C minor and Piano Sonata no 8 in C minor, 2:nd movement (Pathétique).

Beethoven wanted to dedicate his heroic symphony to Napoleon, but when he named himself Emperor Beethoven believed that he had distanced himself from his earlier high humanistic ideals. Beethoven himself was the subject of intense worship after his death. He was one of the first free artists and – due to increasing deafness – surrounded by increasing silence. Instead he listened to his inner self, to the musical creativity of his soul. Like a theme with many variations, Beethoven has been interpreted in many different ways. His music is now interpreted afresh through the work of Örjan Andersson’s contemporary choreography.

Johan Inger takes us on an explorative journey from chaos to order with nine dancers, 64 ropes and music from, among others, Alva Noto. His suggestive Falter moves from the fleeting to the permanent; from frenzy to a peaceful calm.

The former artistic director of Cullberg Ballet and current resident choreographer at Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) has created his first production exclusively for The Göteborg Ballet.

Four originators, five dancers, all must have trust, both in the fall and in the lift. They are components in a musical motor that was once invented by a Frenchman fascinated by mechanics, Maurice Ravel. His Boléro beats somewhere in the background of Rintamäki´s sound picture, whose volume just grows, interrupted by a wedge, or rather a gleam, of bell sounds. The costumes, set design and light quote the rhythmic core motif – in graphic shapes on a reflector, in a collar’s creases and folds, garments that can take the shape of a bolero, a magical flower, or more industrial: cogwheels.

Unfolding, increasing, folding, a growing volume alongside a rhythm where bodies are united in a motoric musicality, both monumental and divinely light.

OreloB was created for The Göteborg Ballet in 2008.

Walking Mad

Johan Inger created Walking Mad for Nederlands Dans Theater I in 2001, when some young choreographers had been asked to create dance for an orchestra evening. Inger was captivated by an old black and white tv-recording of Boléro with the conductor Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic: ”A theatrical image; in the beginning the conductor is very controlled, well combed and correct in his entire conductor image, but parallel to the musical crescendo he becomes increasingly dramatic and excited, as though entering into madness, in an uncontrolled state. Erotic charge was naturally there but I wanted to get away from, or beyond, the more open/clichéd erotic lead that often accompanies this piece of music.”

OreloB

Four originators, five dancers, all must have trust, both in the fall and in the lift. They are components in a musical motor that was once invented by a Frenchman fascinated by mechanics, Maurice Ravel. His Boléro beats somewhere in the background of Rintamäki´s sound picture, whose volume just grows, interrupted by a wedge, or rather a gleam, of bell sounds. The costumes, set design and light quote the rhythmic core motif – in graphic shapes on a reflector, in a collar’s creases and folds, garments that can take the shape of a bolero, a magical flower, or more industrial: cogwheels. Unfolding, increasing, folding, a growing volume alongside a rhythm where bodies are united in a motoric musicality, both monumental and divinely light. OreloB was created for The Göteborg Ballet in 2008.

Episode 17

A group of people gather regularly, in episodes, in order to explore different themes. On this occasion, Episode 1-17, the theme is Boléro. How should it be performed? How can they understand or describe themselves within this theme? They have studied and practiced for a long time. In seventeen scenes, crazy wigs and experiments they explore and analyse different relationships, movements, identities, truths and lies. And theatre itself, that of stepping in and out of different roles. Different Boléros are found, pre-recorded and performed live with musicians. Gradually Ravel´s is heard too as a bolerian way of breathing ... What will happen in episode 18-35? In 2008, Alexander Ekman created Episode 17 for The Göteborg Ballet.