The new triple bill PURE BLISS takes its title from the company premiere of Johan Inger’s Bliss. For this large-scale ensemble piece, the Swedish choreographer uses the legendary "Köln Concert" by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett; music that many consider to be the epitome of virtuoso improvisation. Rather than translating the music one-to-one into movement, it is the feeling of Jarrett's iconic music – free, soaring and ecstatic - that Inger translates into sublime dance, sending not only listeners, but audience members into a state of bliss.
PURE BLISS could just as easily be called "An Evening with Johan Inger," as all three pieces are by this extremely versatile choreographer. The second piece of the evening is the revival of his Out of Breath, a stirring piece that explores the fine line between life and death. In this intense chamber piece, six dancers literally run into, against and over a large wall, trying to overcome it, scale it or hurl themselves off it. These searing emotional images are underpinned by the - in more ways than one - breathtaking music of Jakob Ter Veldhuis and Félix Lajkó.
The evening concludes with a world premiere by Inger. For his first work for the Stuttgart Ballet, Inger plans a one-act comedy based on the famous classical ballet The Sleeping Beauty. This collaboration between Inger - whose roots lie in classical ballet as well as contemporary dance - and the dancers of the Stuttgart Ballet - who are known for their openness, versatility and passionate commitment to choreographers - is sure to be a fruitful one.
PURE BLISS could just as easily be called "An Evening with Johan Inger," as all three pieces are by this extremely versatile choreographer. The second piece of the evening is the revival of his Out of Breath, a stirring piece that explores the fine line between life and death. In this intense chamber piece, six dancers literally run into, against and over a large wall, trying to overcome it, scale it or hurl themselves off it. These searing emotional images are underpinned by the - in more ways than one - breathtaking music of Jakob Ter Veldhuis and Félix Lajkó.
The evening concludes with a world premiere by Inger. For his first work for the Stuttgart Ballet, Inger plans a one-act comedy based on the famous classical ballet The Sleeping Beauty. This collaboration between Inger - whose roots lie in classical ballet as well as contemporary dance - and the dancers of the Stuttgart Ballet - who are known for their openness, versatility and passionate commitment to choreographers - is sure to be a fruitful one.
