Das Musikalische Opfer
Premiere 21.9.2023
Dance House Helsinki
About
Das Musikalische Opfer – A Choreography for Seven Dancers and Four Musicians
Das Musikalische Opfer – A Choreography for Seven Dancers and Musicians is an opening towards the possibilities of the big stage in choreographer Liisa Pentti’s work. The choreography is based on Johann Sebastian Bach’s composition Das Musikalische Opfer (The Musical Offering), and the work itself is a collaboration between dance group Liisa Pentti +Co and top early musicians. The ensemble is assembled by Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, one of Finland’s leading performers of early music. The work will be performed in Erkko Hall at Dance House Helsinki on 21–23 September 2023.
How do Bach and dance art meet in 2023? Together with the working group, choreographer Liisa Pentti seeks an answer to this question. Das Musikalische Opfer – A Choreography for Seven Dancers and Musicians is an inverse continuation of Pentti's work with the music of minimalist masters Terry Riley, Gavin Bryars, and Brian Eno; a reach into the musical past beyond the present. Das Musikalische Opfer is Bach’s enthralling and playful late-period masterpiece whose complex and enigmatic counterpoint offers a fascinating challenge to choreography and new encounters between dance and music. Das Musikalische Opfer – A Choreography for Seven Dancers and Musicians is at once an experimental and traditional dance work, in which dancers and musicians create a mystical and dreamlike world in the space of the Erkko Hall.
Bach’s music is timeless, providing a framework for emotions like joy and sorrow. It inspires hope and allows us to feel part of the mysterious universe from which music springs.
Credits
Concept and choreography
Liisa Pentti
Choreographic interlocular
Pia Lindy
Choreographer’s assistant
Pinja Poropudas
Dancers
Meeri Lempiäinen, Ryan Mason, Corinne Mustonen, Pinja Poropudas, Satu Rekola, Kardo Shiwan, Katri Soin
Music
Johann Sebastian Bach
BRQ Ensemble
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen- Pilch, violin; Marten Root, flute; Ilpo Laspas, harpsichord; Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba
Liisa Pentti
Choreographic interlocular
Pia Lindy
Choreographer’s assistant
Pinja Poropudas
Dancers
Meeri Lempiäinen, Ryan Mason, Corinne Mustonen, Pinja Poropudas, Satu Rekola, Kardo Shiwan, Katri Soin
Music
Johann Sebastian Bach
BRQ Ensemble
Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen- Pilch, violin; Marten Root, flute; Ilpo Laspas, harpsichord; Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba
Sound
Tuukka Tervo
Lighting design
Heikki Paasonen
Costume design
Tua Helve
Producer
Hanna Nyman
Production
Liisa Pentti +Co
Support by
Helsinki city, Arts Promotion Center FInland, Kone Foundation, Svenska kulturfonden. Niilo Helander foundation
Tuukka Tervo
Lighting design
Heikki Paasonen
Costume design
Tua Helve
Producer
Hanna Nyman
Production
Liisa Pentti +Co
Support by
Helsinki city, Arts Promotion Center FInland, Kone Foundation, Svenska kulturfonden. Niilo Helander foundation
Photos: Uupi Tirronen