Carl Knif’s dance piece The Two-Colour Fugue was inspired by Shostakovich’s music
Choreographer Carl Knif was fascinated by Dmitri Shostakovich’s preludes and fugue for piano on his first listen, 10 years ago. In her new dance piece, she finally gets to combine the timeless beauty, austerity and precise design language of that music with the rich expression of the dancers. The resulting two-colour fugue, a co-production of the Helsinki City Theatre’s dance company Helsinki Dance Company and Carl Knif Company , will premiere on 19 March at Studio Pasila.
“I’m glad that in The Two-Colour Fugue I have found a new and fresh perspective on movement and choreography. The goal has been to find a fresh way of approaching music, as well as a more playful approach and a more sprawling language to the choreography. That it doesn’t have to be so tied to form or a certain aesthetic,” says choreographer Carl Knif.
“The magnificent dancers and Shostakovich’s powerful music transport the work between wild and hilarious as well as precise and deliberate expression. The sprawling nature of the music and the diverse themes have inspired me to play with the theatre space and the objects associated with it. I hope that the viewer will join in this game,” Knif continues.
The seven-member performers of the two-colour fugue consist of virtuoso dancers from Helsinki Dance Company and Carl Knif Company. The dancers in the work are Jonna Aaltonen, Jyrki Kasper, Pekka Louhio, Heidi Naakka, Mikko Paloniemi, Terhi Vaimala and Eero Vesterinen.
Dancer and choreographer Carl Knif worked as a freelance dancer for more than ten years before founding his own company in 2012. In addition to his own productions, Knif has made co-productions and commissioned works, and has been a guest choreographer and director at the Swedish Theatre, among others. In addition to Finland, Knif’s works have been seen in a total of ten countries.
William Iles is responsible for the lighting design and scenography. The costume designer is Karoliina Koiso-Kanttila, and the sound designer is Janne Hast. The camouflage was designed by Milja Mensonen.
Two-Colour Fugue premiere 19.3.2020 at 7 p.m. at the Helsinki City Theatre’s studio in Pasila (Ratamestarinkatu 5)
Tickets: €15.50 – €31 (incl. pm)
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Helsinki City Theatre ticket office, Ensi linja 2, Mon-Fri 9 am – 5.30 pm, Eläintarhantie 5 Sat 11 am – 7 pm and one hour before the performance and Lippupiste Mon-Sat 9 am – 9 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge)
www.hkt.fi, www.carlknifcompany.com
Press photos can be found in the image bank and press releases in the newsroom.
Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests: Helsinki City Theatre, Communications Officer Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
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