Friedemann Vogel, Principal Dancer and "Kammertänzer" of the Stuttgart Ballet, has choreographed his first work in collaboration with former Soloist Thomas Lempertz. The piece is titled Not in my hands and explores the feelings dancers have been confronted with since theaters have been closed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Set to Mozart's Requiem, Not in my hands tells of powerlessness, fear, hope and the loss of control when suddenly the greatest part of being a dancer breaks away: dancing for the audience. Friedemann Vogel on his piece:
"Overwhelmed by emptiness, we bend over backwards in our rush to fill the void with memories, intertwined with the hopes and fears of the present moment.
We grin and bear it, put on a brave front, and fake it till we make it.
Overwrought with emotions, but deprived of outlets for expression, we spin out of control, pushing against the constraints that simultaneously bind us and propel us further.
For with restrictions come a certain freedom, and with isolation, an abundance of space – space for reflection, and space for creation. Everything seems impossible, so anything is possible. It’s not in my hands, nor in yours, thus we relinquish all illusions of power, and surrender to the ebb and flow. Yet even just being by ourselves, we find a way to carry on, drawing new strength from within, to face the challenges that lie ahead"
Set to Mozart's Requiem, Not in my hands tells of powerlessness, fear, hope and the loss of control when suddenly the greatest part of being a dancer breaks away: dancing for the audience. Friedemann Vogel on his piece:
"Overwhelmed by emptiness, we bend over backwards in our rush to fill the void with memories, intertwined with the hopes and fears of the present moment.
We grin and bear it, put on a brave front, and fake it till we make it.
Overwrought with emotions, but deprived of outlets for expression, we spin out of control, pushing against the constraints that simultaneously bind us and propel us further.
For with restrictions come a certain freedom, and with isolation, an abundance of space – space for reflection, and space for creation. Everything seems impossible, so anything is possible. It’s not in my hands, nor in yours, thus we relinquish all illusions of power, and surrender to the ebb and flow. Yet even just being by ourselves, we find a way to carry on, drawing new strength from within, to face the challenges that lie ahead"