pherank Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) It can be endlessly entertaining to read the reviews of contemporary ballet works - one person's thrilling, brave new world is another person's waste of time, money and talent. We are at the midway point [June 4, 2019] of SFB's London appearance, and so I have cobbled together the various reviews I was able to find. I will update the list in a few days. Samples: "Sasha De Sola, Mathilde Froustey and Yuan Yuan Tan are the three loves: all divine, but it was a special pleasure to be able to revisit the sublime grace of Froustey’s exceptional artistry and Tan is another of the great ballerinas of our time." "There is a hint of subtext as established star, Sofiane Sylve, and rising star, Wona Park are positioned both in contrast and in harmony. It may have been first night uncertainty, but the chemistry didn’t ignite, and it was only in the final moments that Park displayed her talents in blistering turns and jumps." "Throughout the trilogy, the performance of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia – conducted by West – was a delight but one must single out the pianism of Mungunchimeg Buriad and the trumpet playing of Michael Allen for special praise." "Maybe it’s not Pita’s intention but Björk Ballet doesn’t feel very true to the spirit of the Icelandic icon. Her music can be deeply romantic and intimate, but she’s never resorted to sexy cliche. Yet here, her song Bachelorette comes with flesh and harem pants like an X-rated Aladdin." "[The Infinite Ocean] Although an ensemble piece, the individuality of many dancers shines through in the group dances of reduced personnel. Tiit Helimets is a commanding central male presence and Sofiane Sylve, Madison Keesler (great to see her back in London) and Lauren Strongin are notable amongst the women." "Shostakovich was undeniably the evening's victor as well, with his glorious and complex music firmly established as fit fare for ballet (and competently played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia under Martin West). But a different, less sleek and beautiful, company might have given an even better account of it." Shostakovich TrilogyBachtrack Ratmansky's Shostakovich Trilogy opens San Francisco Ballet residency at Sadler's Wells —Graham Wattshttps://bachtrack.com/review-ratmansky-shostakovich-trilogy-san-francisco-ballet-sadlers-wells-may-2019Seeing Dance A thrilling start for San Francisco Ballet with Alexei Ratmansky’s Shostakovich Trilogy —Maggie Foyerhttp://www.seeingdance.com/san-francisco-ballet-shostakovich-trilogy-30052019/The Times Review: San Francisco Ballet at Sadler’s Wells —Debra Craine The American company launches its return to London with a triple bill of fascinating works by Alexei Ratmanskyhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/review-san-francisco-ballet-at-sadlers-wells-klr9rcg7nIndependent San Francisco Ballet, Sadler’s Wells, review: Sunny, athletic and assured -Zoë Anderson A mix of fresh dance invention, particularly in gorgeous work for the corps de ballet, and thoughtful explorationhttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/san-francisco-ballet-sadlers-wells-theatre-review-bjork-a8936571.htmlGo London San Francisco Ballet – Shostakovich Trilogy review: Dashing moves infused with rebel spirit —Emma Byrnehttps://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/san-francisco-ballet-shostakovich-trilogy-review-a4155061.htmlCulture Whisper San Francisco Ballet Programme A Review —Teresa Guerreirohttps://www.culturewhisper.com/r/dance/san_francisco_ballet_programmeA_review/14018 The Arts DeskShostakovich Trilogy, San Francisco Ballet, Sadler's Wells review - less than the sum of its parts —Hanna Weibyehttps://theartsdesk.com/dance/shostakovich-trilogy-san-francisco-ballet-sadlers-wells-review-less-sum-its-parts The Stage San Francisco Ballet: Shostakovich Trilogy review at Sadler’s Wells, London – ‘crisp technique’https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2019/san-francisco-ballet-shostakovich-trilogy-review-at-sadlers-wells-london-crisp-technique/ ———————————————Program B Mixed RepertoryThe Guardian San Francisco Ballet review – California dreaming and a Björk nightmare —Lyndsey Winshiphttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/03/san-francisco-ballet-review-shostakovich-edith-wharton-bjorkCulture Whisper San Francisco Ballet Programme B Review —Teresa Guerreirohttps://www.culturewhisper.com/r/dance/san_francisco_ballet_programmeb_sadlers/14041Seen and Heard International San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Triple Bills at Sadler’s Wells —John O’Dwyerhttp://seenandheard-international.com/2019/06/san-francisco-ballets-opening-triple-bills-at-sadlers-wells/DanceTabs San Francisco Ballet – The Infinite Ocean, Snowblind, Björk Ballet – London —Graham Wattshttps://dancetabs.com/2019/06/san-francisco-ballet-the-infinite-ocean-snowblind-bjork-ballet-london/The Times Review: San Francisco Ballet, programme B at Sadler’s Wells The offerings on this triple bill range from dramatically muted, to forceful, to bordering on crazy —Debra Crainehttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/review-san-francisco-ballet-programme-b-at-sadlers-wells-wkmz5vwgt Go London San Francisco Ballet – Liang/ Marston/ Pita review: Strange scenes from a goldmine of dance talent —Emma Byrnehttps://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/san-francisco-ballet-review-sadlers-wells-a4157626.html The Arts Desk San Francisco Ballet, Liang/Marston/Pita, Sadler's Wells - elemental, ethereal and kitschy, too --Matt Wolfhttps://theartsdesk.com/dance/san-francisco-ballet-liangmarstonpita-sadlers-wells-elemental-ethereal-and-kitschy-too Edited June 7, 2019 by pherank Link to comment
pherank Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 (edited) Program C Mixed RepertoryBritish Theatre Guide San Francisco Ballet Programme C: Bespoke / Hummingbird / Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming --Vera Liber https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/san-francisco-b-sadler-s-wells-17658 BachTrack A lively evening of pure dance from San Francisco Ballet —Graham Wattshttps://bachtrack.com/review-welch-scarlett-peck-san-francisco-ballet-sadlers-wells-june-2019 Fjord Review Rigour and Vigour [Program C review] San Francisco Ballet on tour in London —Sara Vealehttps://www.fjordreview.com/san-francisco-ballet-london/ ———————————————Program D Mixed Repertory The Guardian San Francisco Ballet: scorching dancers leave their hearts in London The American company visited the UK with four triple bills: here are 10 things we learned from their thrilling season --Lyndsey Winshiphttps://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jun/07/san-francisco-ballet-london-10-things-we-learned "The dancers are brilliant. Shout-outs for Sasha De Sola, who transformed from the prim perfection of a pageant queen in Bespoke to earnest, lyrical dancer of Hummingbird in the time it took to change costumes; to Angelo Greco, who landed a double tour with such flawless style it made me laugh out loud; and the infectiously joyful jumping of Wei Wang." Culture Whisper San Francisco Ballet Programme D Review —Teresa Guerreirohttps://www.culturewhisper.com/r/dance/san_francisco_ballet_programmeD_sadlers/14091 Dance Tabs San Francisco Ballet – Your Flesh Shall Be a Great Poem, Bound To, Anima Animus – London —Lynette Halewoodhttps://dancetabs.com/2019/06/san-francisco-ballet-your-flesh-shall-be-a-great-poem-bound-to-anima-animus-london/ BachTrack Pure dance with joyful power: San Francisco Ballet closes Sadler's Wells residency —Graham Watts https://bachtrack.com/review-mcintyre-wheeldon-dawson-san-francisco-ballet-sadlers-wells-june-2019 Edited June 16, 2019 by pherank Added reviews Link to comment
pherank Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) I just added a few more reviews (above) of Programs C and D. Wona Park and Joseph Walsh in Dawson's Anima Animus Sofiane Sylve, Luke Ingham and Carlo Di Lanno in Dawson's Anima Animus "Dawson has suffered from some criticism in the UK, most infamously in the fallout from the 2017 performances of The Human Seasons for The Royal Ballet. It is a shame because Anima Animus proves that there is no one making work like him. Few choreographers have the courage to let their dance say it all and Dawson has a way of both flattening and expanding classical movement, creating his own unique style, but without ever losing the essential foundation and imagery of classicism. I, for one, would like to see more of his work here in his homeland. It is salutary to reflect that London balletomanes have seen more new ballets in these last two weeks (twelve pieces in total) than we would normally see in a year and great credit must go to long-serving artistic director, Helgi Tomasson, for his commitment to continually refreshing the art. He has a mighty fine company, too! For this reason, the five stars reflects the totality of what we have seen in these last few days. Come back soon." --Graham Watts (BachTrack) Edited June 13, 2019 by pherank Link to comment
sandik Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 3 hours ago, pherank said: "Dawson ... Few choreographers have the courage to let their dance say it all and Dawson has a way of both flattening and expanding classical movement, creating his own unique style, but without ever losing the essential foundation and imagery of classicism. I, for one, would like to see more of his work here in his homeland. I've had similar feelings about Dawson -- he's working with a classical vocabulary while stretching (and in some cases just plain ignoring) classical conventions. Link to comment
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