Made in Amsterdam 2: Work in progress

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Concerto Concordia - Christopher Wheeldon
Music: Francis Poulenc – Concerto for two pianos and orchestra in D minor
One of Dutch National Ballet’s most recent successes is Concerto Concordia by Christopher Wheeldon, created for the last Holland Festival. Wheeldon – who received a Tony Award in 2014 for An American in Paris – was inspired by the different qualities of two principal couples: one lyrical and contemplative, and the other light and explosive. Six other couples join them in a dazzling finale.

Citizen Nowhere - a ballet inspired by The Little Prince - David Dawson
Music: Szymon Brzoska
Dawson is basing his new work, which will have its world premiere in Made in Amsterdam, on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince, the most translated work in French literature. In his ballet, Dawson wants to express both the unearthly aspect of the story and its loneliness. The sets by the German designer Eno Henze will play a special role in this, as will the music written especially for the ballet by the Polish composer Szymon Brzoska.

Souvenir d’un lieu cher - Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Souvenir d’un lieu cher
At its premiere in 2012, Alexei Ratmansky’s Souvenir d’un lieu cher was received with unanimous praise. The leading Russian choreographer lets two couples ‘colour in’ the adagio and scherzo from Tchaikovsky’s composition of the same name in their own individual way. He also breathes new life into classical ballet, with an exceptionally inventive and expressive use of the academic technique.

Moving Rooms - Krzysztof Pastor
Music: Alfred Schnittke – Concerto grosso no. 1 (parts VI, IV, V) and Henryk Mikolaj Górecki – Harpsichord Concerto (parts 1 and 2)
The last work in Made in Amsterdam was choreographed by Krzysztof Pastor. Moving Rooms was received in 2008 as the strongest premiere ballet in the programme In Space. Pastor’s ballet is about the emotions that can be generated by a space, or by lack of space. In a wonderful set of ever-changing patches of light, he combines virtuoso ensemble sections with an impressive solo demonstration of physical suppleness and an elegant, sensual duet.