Without Words – Melting Point Dance

The Elbphilharmonie programme often includes performances of works that were originally composed for ballets – and these are naturally only staged in a concert version here. As on 8 January 2019, when the Bundesjugendorchester under Kirill Petrenko performs Stravinsky’s famous (or infamous!) ballet »Le sacre du printemps«, framed by music from Bernstein’s fabulous »West Side Story«. Hearing the music without visual adornment has its advantages: the ear is free to concentrate, undistracted by the eye. But sometimes it is a little bit of a shame. Especially when the music seems to be positively screaming for movement.

Choreographer Johnny Lloyd has therefore put some sections of these works into movement. Lloyd is a dancer and assistant to Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and has long had a reputation for great choreographies and hip-hop creations. Over a number of weeks, he worked with semi-professional dancers in workshops at the Elbphilharmonie. The result can now be admired at Kampnagel.

This time the music is not performed by an orchestra, but by Sven Kacirek. The percussionist and producer from Hamburg has rearranged the works for drums and electronic instruments in consultation with Lloyd.

The Elbphilharmonie’s supporting programme offers a variety of different angles on the music performed – either to complement the concert itself, or as an experience in its own right. As a rule, the Elbphilharmonie+ events are interdisciplinary in nature: exhibitions, talks to accompany a particular concert or events featuring flamenco dancing or scat singing. They take place in the Elbphilharmonie itself in some cases, as well as in museums, libraries and local culture centres.