Adrienne Carter in rehearsal for Pam Tanowitz's "Coincident Dances" for the Miami City Ballet's "Winter Mix." (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
There is something about seeing the world premiere of a ballet that captures our curiosity and pique our interest. Perhaps because it is unseen and a true unknown when the curtain parts and the action begins. It is then that “the layers of dialogue within the work begin,” says Pam Tanowitz, the choreographer of "Coincident Dances," making its world premiere as part of Miami City Ballet’s Winter Mix program.
Tanowitz says in her work there is a “dialogue between the steps and the composition and between the composition and the structure of how the whole dance unfolds.”
Cameron Catazaro and Steven Loch rehearsing "Coincident Dances." Choreography by Pam Tanowitz. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
"Coincident Dances" unfolds in three parts and is performed to music by Jessie Montgomery. The dance is essentially an ensemble work that also includes duets and a solo.
“Artistically, I wanted to push myself and use all the dancers in interesting ways instead of separating them into sections. I come from the Modern dance world and pointe shoes is still something I’m experimenting with. It feels exciting to me when I can explore that.”
Choreographer Pam Tanowitz with dancer Ethan Rodrigues rehearsing "Coincident Dances," having its world premiere with the Miami City Ballet. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev, courtesy of Miami City Ballet)
“We built phrases and went back and forth about pointe,”says Mayumi Enokibara, a soloist with the company. “Pam would ask us how steps felt on pointe. She collaborated with the dancers.“
Miami City Ballet's Steven Loch rehearses "Coincident Dances" by award-winning choreographer Pam Tanowitz for Miami City Ballet's "Winter Mix" opening at the Arsht Center on Friday, Feb. 14. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
Tanowitz says she was inspired to choreograph "Coincident Dances" because of Montgomery’s score and the opportunity to work with the Miami City Ballet dancers. “They have beautiful technique and are amazing performers.”
Hannah Fischer and Ashley Knox rehearsing the Miami City Ballet of Pam Tanowitz's "Coincident Dances." (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
"Walpurgisnacht Ballet" and "La Valse" are both paragons of George Balanchine ballets. "Walpurgisnacht Ballet," with a score by Charles Gounod, has a long history with Balanchine. He first choreographed the dances for a production of Gounod’s Faust, performed by the Opera de Monte-Carlo, with the dances performed by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. The New York City Ballet premiere ( 1980 ) was the first presentation of the choreography as an independent work.
On the surface, the ballet depicts the segment in Faust in which Mephistopheles summons a witches’ Sabbath. The all-female corps de ballet first perform with their hair in a high ponytail then later return to the stage with their hair flowing loosely.
Rui Cruz rehearsing "Coincident Dances, choreography by Pam Tanowitz. (Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)
"Walpurgisnacht Ballet" is an energetic ballet especially in the speed of its steps. Enokibara says performing in the piece requires “monitoring your breath and learning how to replenish yourself.” The ballet is intoxicating and is one of transformation. The dancers onstage are seen to change and the place they inhabit is felt to change. The ballet’s deeper changes are successive, and they occur principally in the dancers’ rhythm and dynamics.
Balanchine’s "La Valse" is set to music composed by Maurice Ravel and premiered in 1951 by the New York City Ballet. Balanchine is known for his plotless ballets yet "La Valse" has a haunting story which involves intrigue and death. Ravel’s ominous statement on his score, “We are dancing on the edge of a volcano,” can also apply to Balanchine’s dramatic choreography.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Miami City Ballet’s Winter Mix
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23; Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8; 1 p.m. Sunday, March 9
TICKETS: $25-$225
INFORMATION: 305-929-7010 or miamicityballet.org
