Artifact II / The Exiles / Zugvögel

This mixed-bill program pits two definitively contemporaneous creations against an American modernist classic: Artifact II should not, however, be misconstrued as the sequel to William Forsythe's full-length ballet Artifact since it forms the second part of this triadically structured magnum opus in which each of the three sections can be performed and viewed as dramaturgically independent entities.

As such, Artifact II was added to the repertoire of the Bavarian State Ballet in 2010. In one purely choreographic sequence, two exquisite neoclassical pas de deux are silhouetted against the symmetrical formations of the group. Out of these pas de deux, a dance of breathtaking beauty evolves, the periodical interruption of which by cascading curtain falls challenges our habitual perception of ballet. The extraordinary interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Chaconne by Nathan Milstein lends this music piece an equally contemporary air. As one of the most important ballets of Forsythe's oeuvre, Artifact II fuses uncompromising clarity with virtuosity.

The Exiles, a duet by José Limón to Schönberg's Chamber Symphony Nº 2 which premiered in 1950, will form the second part of the evening. This specific piece is a particularly valuable addition to the Limón-choreographies already in the company's repertoire, as it complements the latter with its rather more abstract atmosphere.

Lastly, Kylián's Zugvögel will – somewhat uncannily – return to its origin, this time as a pivotal work in our Tanzland Deutschland concept. This re-release will concentrate on the 70-minute choreography created by Jiřì Kylián who, at the time of the piece’s production, was heavily influenced by experimental film: Nothing less than a surrealistic film provided the structure for this choreographic revelation. Together with his private and professional partner Sabine Kupferberg, Zugvögel reflects the boundless dedication of an artist to his work. The congenial musical score to this piece was yet again provided by Dirk Haubrich.