Word: ailey
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Alvin Ailey's latest composition, "Satyriade," set to music by Maurice Ravel, provides a sharp contrast. In this piece, the merits of the performance rest more on the superb choreography and the technical success of the dancers than on any plot. Beautifully danced by three couples with the women dressed as Greek nymphs and the men as the lecherous mythical satyrs, the dance stresses the pas de deux structure, with the different pairs alternating on stage. Although their movements and gestures are based on ballet, the overall quality is much more free and unrestrained and possesses a fluid, electric energy...
...Ailey's choreography has all three pairs dance together for the last few minutes, mirroring each other's movements, creating a slight drop in energy and intensity from the duets' earlier turns, jumps and lifts. On opening night the dancers seemed to concentratrate a little too much on technique; then emotions barely seeped through the almost flawless dancing...
...BEST of the opening night pieces. "Treading," probably rates with Ailey's popular "Revelations" or "Memoria." Choreographed by Eliza Monte with music by Steve Reich. "Treading" was danced, or rather synthesized, by Sarita Allen and Kevin Brown. The abstract work moves to music reminiscent of African drumbeats in a modern electric synthesizer or a xylophone. Slowly, the two bodies stretch, plie, arch and contract together and apart as the man and woman unite. The technical strength of the two dancers is apparent every moment, as they balance on one leg or develop their legs into high back arabesques...
...effects of the electrifying music and ethereal dancers becoming one is phenomenal; these 15 minutes alone are a reason to see the Alvin Ailey Company...
...Alvin Ailey is one of the few modern dance companies which does not get lost in attempts at "abstraction" and "free expression." Their adherence to basic dance roots and training, together with their use of modern life and modern music, puts them among the most accessible and exciting American companies now dancing...