Transcending Form in the Name of Humanity

[Dave Monroe]

>From Anna Kisselgoff, "Transcending Form in the Name
of Humanity," New York Times, Wednesday, february
27th, 2002 ...

   "'V' is a life-affirming new dance by Mark Morris,
not only one of his best pieces in many years but also
one of the few great works that modern dance has
produced in a decade. 
   "Earth and sky are married in its images of pure
dancing. A dirgelike parade of dancers on all fours is
poetic in its strangeness. By contrast, the stage
opens heavenward with the V formations of exuberant
dancers soaring up like birds amid a dazzling
succession of exits and entrances. 

[...]

"The music is Schumann's Quintet in E flat for Piano
and Strings, and Mr. Morris has illuminated its
jubilant and contemplative aspects with a highly
emotional dimension.

[...]

"The letter V in the title refers to the Roman numeral
for 5, as related to the musical quintet, and the
choreography plays with fast-dissolving V-shaped
patterns for two units of seven dancers each. 

[...]

   "There is in general a temptation to read too much
into some of Mr. Morris's work when no scenario is
present. 'V' has no message as such and its humanity
reaches beyond a specific reference.

[...] 

   "Structure is what the piece is about. And motifs
are recapitulated just as Schumann's themes reappear
toward the end. In short, there are layers and
textures to enrich the eye and ear.... 

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/27/arts/dance/27MORR.html?todaysheadlines

And speaking of opera, see as well ...

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/27/arts/music/27ARTS.html?todaysheadlines

Okay, back to work (= opera) ...

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