After 2009’s hugely successful 40th anniversary performances at Sadler’s Wells, Scottish Ballet returns with an atmospheric double bill originally unveiled at this year’s Edinburgh International Festival.
Kenneth MacMillan’s Song of the Earth was created for Stuttgart Ballet in 1965 at the invitation of Artistic Director John Cranko. Set to a live performance of Mahler’s song cycle Das Lied von der Erde, the lyrics to which were translated from a collection of eighth century Chinese poems offering bittersweet reflections on human emotion, Song of the Earth explores man’s struggle to accept mortality.
As Resident Choreographer at Boston Ballet, Finnish-born Jorma Elo has become an increasingly sought-after talent across the US and Europe, and has also created works for companies including San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater and Finnish National Ballet. His exciting new work, created for Scottish Ballet, features costumes by Yumiko Takeshima and is set to Mozart’s First Violin Concerto and music by Steve Reich.
Double Bill: New Work (Title TBC)
Choreography: Jorma Elo
Music: Mozart/Steve Reich
Mozart’s first Violin Concerto (live orchestra) and Steve Reich (Double Sextet) 1st Movement (recording)
Song of the Earth
Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan
Music: Gustav Mahler