THE HANGOVER REPORT – Pam Tanowitz’s clean and organic NEW WORK FOR GOLDBERG VARIATIONS continues her winning streak

Pam Tanowitz Dance and Simone Dinnerstein perform "New Work for Goldberg Variations" at the Joyce Theater.

Pam Tanowitz Dance and Simone Dinnerstein perform “New Work for Goldberg Variations” at the Joyce Theater.

In recent years, I’ve come to think of Pam Tanowitz, a major talent still on the ascent, as one of the most reliable dance-makers in the business. Last night, I caught her latest creation – entitled New Work for Goldberg Variations – at the Joyce Theater, as performed by her dance company Pam Tanowitz Dance and pianist Simone Dinnerstein. As you may have already gathered, the evening-length ballet is set to “The Goldberg Variations”, Johann Sebastian Bach’s revered 1741 composition for piano (the piece was originally written for the harpsichord).

I’ve seen “The Goldberg Variations” set to dance once before by legendary ballet and Broadway choreographer Jerome Robbins for New York City Ballet. As with Ms. Tanowitz’s other works, her version is refreshing in its unassuming directness. In many ways, her choreography reminds me of the great George Balanchine’s works. Both artists innately understand music and produce timeless dances that captivate with their deep connection to the music. Indeed, New Work for Goldberg Variations is supremely responsive to the subdued modulations of Bach’s score, and its cumulative effect sneaks up on you. More than any other major contemporary choreographer I know, Ms. Tanowitz’s work is clean and organic, and unadorned with the (sometimes) distracting choreographic and conceptual bells and whistles of her contemporaries.

Set centerstage, the brilliant Ms. Dinnerstein performed Bach’s masterwork with sensitivity and elegance. The decision to have her perform in the middle of its ll emphasized the centrality of music in dance, as well as the intimate relationship between dancer and musician. Ms. Tanowitz’s skilled dancers – New Work for Goldberg Variations utilizes seven dancers (six women, one man) – flowed through the choreography with bright but unforced energy and natural charisma.

RECOMMENDED

 

NEW WORK FOR GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
Dance
Pam Tanowitz Dance / The Joyce Theater
1 hour, 20 minutes (without an intermission)
Through December 15

Categories: Dance

Leave a Reply