Details

Kings 2 Ends, created for Scottish Ballet, is a collision of the two very different energies found in the juxtaposed soundtrack of Mozart s Violin Concerto No 1 and Steve Reich s Double Sextet. Double Sextet is urgent, demanding and stripped back - it makes the pulse quicken as the dancers demonstrate their sheer physicality and athleticism, their movements powerful and precise, while the Mozart piece is drawn in beautiful lines with a strong sense of romance and playfulness. "I ve chosen two pieces of music that are very different in the time period and approach of their moods," says Jorma. "Reich is very mathematical. It s almost cold: it s like a big city, a pulse that keeps on driving on. And the Mozart is much more colourful and humorous and full of human richness: in a way, it s the opposite to Steve Reich." From Scottish choreographer Kenneth MacMillan is Song of the Earth, created for Stuttgart Ballet in 1965 at the invitation of Artistic Director John Cranko. The piece offers a choreographic response to the bittersweet emotions portrayed in a series of 18th century Chinese poems, freely translated into German and set to music by Gustav Mahler to a poignant conclusion. Scottish Ballet - Kings 2 Ends 2011/Song of the Earth (1965) website.

Cast/Performers

Katarina Karneus (mezzo soprano - Song of the Earth), Peter Wedd (tenor - Song of the Earth)

Creatives/Company

Company: Scottish Ballet
Choreographer(s): Jorma Elo (Kings 2 Ends), Henneth MacMillan (Song of the Earth)
Music(s): Mozart (Kings 2 Ends), Steve Reich (Kings 2 Ends), Mahler (Song of the Earth)