GD: The theme of the 2019 GDF is “What
Moves You” can you share with us what moved you when working in the creation of
The Four Seasons Project?
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| Photo by Caitlyn Vader |
LS: Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. It is
no surprise that approximately 300 years after their original composition these
concertos remain some of the best-known pieces of classical music to date.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is riddled with imagery that speaks so vividly and
continues to surprise you. It is this world of imagery that has moved us
throughout the creation of this work. The music has inspired an entire movement
score based on the images the dancers saw while listening to each movement.
From these visualization we developed unconventional dances. Sharing this
process with all of these amazing youth has also been extremely moving. They
bring a beautiful openness and curiosity that is young and fresh. The process
has been filled with play, laughter and sometimes tears. The range of life that
has been welcomed in and embraced throughout has created a very special work
that transcends time and form.
GD: Tell us about the journey of working
with four different dance groups in order to create a larger piece? How did
your vision come about?
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| Photo by Edwin Luk |
LS: In June of 2017 a movement from the
Spring Concerto came on the radio as I was driving. At the time I had been
brainstorming about a new creative process for us to take on during our summer
intensive. Immediately I knew that this music would be the premise for our new
project. From there I started developing the idea of Four Seasons, Four Cities,
Four Youth Companies and One Youth String Ensemble. Working with these groups
has brought many rewards, challenges and a lot of creativity. Travelling from city
to city and developing new relationships with over 60 dancers has been quite an
undertaking. The task of managing a cast of nearly 80 performers is like
putting an 80-piece puzzle together, except these puzzle pieces are always
moving. Just like the Four Seasons, each of these groups has a distinct
character which makes the experience rich and constantly in flux. Mostly this
journey has provided me with an opportunity for growth. To see a creative
process from the lens of young people is a true gift. The older we get the less
enchanted we seem to be with the world and our lives. The wonder and the
possibility start to fade away over time. These young dancers have given me the
chance to enter back into a world that I haven’t seen in many years. Being in
this world has opened up the possibility of creating a work that is filled with
all the colours of the rainbow. How exciting!
Up until now we have been working with the
groups separately. The full cast will come together for the very first time one
day before the performance in Guelph. This has taken a lot of strategic
planning and careful preparation of all of the performers. We can’t wait to see
it all come together…it is going to be magic.
GD: Is there anything else you would like
to share with Guelph audiences before your performance?
LS: Did you know that there are a series
of sonnets that Vivaldi wrote into the score of the Four Seasons? There
is much controversy surrounding these sonnets, who wrote them and whether they
proceeded or followed the creation of the music. One thing that is certain is
that they add to the layers of life and to the enchanting complexity of these concertos.
Unveiling the sonnets and where Vivaldi wrote them into the score is like
turning the pages of a suspense novel.
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| Photo by Caitlyn Vader |
This project couldn’t be fulfilled without
the involvement of and collaboration with the musicians. We are so thrilled to
have a string ensemble of fourteen instrumentalists that will be bringing this
music to life alongside the dancers. Eight of these musicians are youth players
and six are professionals with as many as four decades of experience. This
project has provided a unique platform for Intergenerational collaboration and
exchange. Through this experiential learning opportunity the professionals
involved in this project have provided mentorship to the young artists and the
professional artists have gained a refining of our own pedagogy through this
beautiful exchange. And let’s not forget that we have all gained the gift of youth,
which we can’t wait to share with the Guelph audience.
This truly is a remarkable opportunity to
celebrate this timeless music and the magic of our youth, together and as a
community.
If you have not purchased your tickets for Youth Moves yet, we recommend doing so quickly as this great show will surely sell out!
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Dance outside the box here!