Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Legends of ballet at work: Wendy Whelan collaborates in THE DAY and Herman Cornejo’s 20th anniversary celebration

• By drediman
• October 27, 2019
• No Comments

This weekend, I had the privilege of catching superstar dancers Herman Cornejo and Wendy Whelan, two legends of the ballet world whose careers continue to inspire and awe.

Herman Cornejo in Twyla Tharp’s “A Gathering of Ghosts”. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor.

On Saturday evening at the David H. Koch Theater, American Ballet Theatre principal Herman Cornejo celebrated his landmark 20th anniversary with the renowned dance company (RECOMMENDED). Mr. Cornejo is beloved in the dance world. A compact but heroic dancer, his effortless dynamism, impeccable technique, and vibrant stage presence have catapulted the Argentinean dancer into indisputable stardom. The evening kicked off with a rendition of Balanchine’s storied “Apollo” (I actually prefer Ballet Theatre’s more narrative-driven version over City Ballet’s distilled dance-focused iteration). Mr. Cornejo proved superb in the title role, exuding an ideal combination of brio and finesse that convincingly evolved the character from impestuous youth to noble god. Also notably, Skylar Brandt, Cassandra Trenary, and Misty Copeland gave bright performances as his three muses. Then came an interlude which included a short, stylish commemoration video and “El Chamuyo”, Ana María Stekelman’s lively but inconsequential tango that introduced both Mr. Cornejo and his sister and inspiration, Erica, to New York audiences more than two decades ago. The evening concluded with “A Gathering of Ghosts”, a new work choreographed by the iconic Twyla Tharp specifically for Mr. Cornejo’s big anniversary. I quite liked the strange, spectral ballet, which I feel shows off Ballet Theatre’s distinctive dancers quite wonderfully. The dance depicts notable figures in history (e.g., Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette, Proust, Murasaki, etc.), and concludes with Mr. Cornejo himself taking his place among this constellation of notables. How fitting and flattering!

Maya Beiser and Wendy Whelan in “The Day”, with choreography by Lucinda Childs and music by David Lang.

I also caught up with another heavy hitter in the dance world, former City Ballet star principal and current Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, who this afternoon at the Joyce Theater wrapped up performances of the visually and aurally stimulating two-act music/dance work entitled “The Day” (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). The piece is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word, one in which Ms. Whelan was joined by “rock star” cellist Maya Beiser, choreographer Lucinda Childs, and composer David Lang. “The Day” is a profound meditation on human life vis-a-vis memory that was allegedly created as a reflection on the events of 9/11. What begims as a progression of striking stage pictures – including the the artful utilization of props and recorded spoken word – eventually opens up to pretty much pure dance and music, suggesting the transition of the soul from the limitations of the body to whatever’s beyond. After having retired from the full-time rigors of classical ballet, Wendy Whelan continues to be a striking physical onstage presence – willowy yet in possession of an apparent and courageous determination that makes her the ideal dance heroine. As for Ms. Childs’ choreography, I thought it skillfully played to Ms. Whelan’s strengths as a dancer. Additionally, her cool approach to dance-making also works brilliantly with the work’s conceit. Throughout, Ms. Beiser provided intense musical accompaniment via Mr. Lang’s hypnotic, evocative score; their contributions were every bit as vital as Ms. Whelan and Childs’.

HERMAN CORNEJO 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Dance
American Ballet Theatre / David H. Koch Theater
1 hour, 45 minutes (with one intermission)
Closed

THE DAY
Dance/Music
Joyce Theater
1 hour (without an intermission)
Closed