© Sofia Crespo
Béla
The driving rhythm of Béla Bartók’s music emphasises the power of movement and the influence of music on the body
Together with the contemporary music ensemble Ictus, Claire Croizé and Etienne Guilloteau embark on a new creation for four dancers and four musicians. Set to the explosive tones of Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, the performance explores the power of movement and the impact of music on the body. In dialogue with Bartók’s unique nocturne, the dancers and musicians search for a contemporary definition of the concept of nature.
No longer a source of contemplation for – and exploitation by – humans, but a vast space of negotiation between all of earth’s inhabitants, teeming with gestures, noises and complex interactions.
This explosive piece by Bartók is in constant motion: patterns shift and reorganize, and rhythm is constantly disrupted and rediscovered. The first movement of the sonata balances between abstraction and bursts of energy, making it extremely danceable despite its unpredictable twists and turns. Through echoes, imitations, canons and fugatos, the musical structure becomes more complex and vibrant, evoking the richness of organic life.
The second movement of the sonata is typical Bartókian nocturne. This soundscape does not evoke a romantic lunar landscape, but a restless, rustling ecosystem full of animal and plant activity. The night is a living organism, crawling with sound and movement.
The third and final movement of the sonata creates an exhilarating climax. The music moves from chaos to clarity, from darkness to light. This progressive energy demands extreme precision from the musicians and requires complete concentration on stage. The dancers rise to this challenge and embrace virtuosity as a core value.
choreography & dramaturgy Claire Croizé & Etienne Guilloteau musical direction Jean-Luc Plouvier dancers Claire Godsmark, Laure de Dietrich, Cintia Sebök, Anne-Laure Dogot intern Anaëlle Thiery Musicians Ictus Marlies Debacker, Jean-Luc Plouvier, Tom de Cock, Gerrit Nulens light design Hans Meijer sound engineer Alexandre Fostier costume design Anne-Catherine Kunz Assistant costume design Chiara Mazzarolo production ECCE coproduction Concertgebouw Brugge, STUK, ICTUS, Perpodium, Centre Chorégraphique National de Rillieux-la-Pape, Centre chorégraphique national de Caen en Normandie, within the framework of the Accueil- studio/ministère de la Culture scheme. residencies STUK, Concertgebouw Brugge, Centre Chorégraphique National de Rillieux-la-Pape, Centre chorégraphique national de Caen en Normandie, as part of the Accueil-studio/Ministère de la Culture scheme daily management Carine Meulders financial management Christel Simons thanks to Georges-Elie Octors with the support of the Flemish Government and the Tax Shelter of the Belgian Federal Government Thanks to Raphaël Henard for the white noise
Music
Béla Bartók (1881-1945) - Sonata for two pianos and percussion, sz110 and other works
Errorsmith & Mark Fell: Protogravity, 2015
Robin Hoffmann: Birkhahn-Studie, 2005
Julian Sartorius: Rllrlrllrrlrlrlrllrlrlr, 2023
CALL BODY OF WORK — RE:COLLECT
STUK IS LOOKING FOR YOUR DANCE MEMORIES!
Do you keep your tickets from memorable dance performances? After a great night of dancing, do you write something down? Do you still have programme booklets at home? A photo or poster on the wall? Is there a movement from a performance you can instantly recreate, or a scene that will stay with you forever?
We’re showcasing all your dance memories in the exhibition at Body of Work (25.04 — 13.05), our festival of
living dance heritage. If you you have such a dance memory, register on this page and we will get in touch with you shortly.
