Mozart Dances

Published Thursday 5 July 2007 at 16:55 by Gavin Roebuck

This UK premiere of Mozart Dances is a creative collaboration. Mozart’s piano concertos No11 in F and No27 in B flat, and his Sonata in D for Two Pianos are performed live by Emanuel Ax and Yoko Nozaki with the orchestra of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Jane Glover.

Choreographer Mark Morris creates insignificant movements in which he weaves motifs from 18th century courtly and folk dances into his signature style. With a movement for every beat like a Mickey Mouse cartoon, this interpretation of musicality has found him critical acclaim. Movements, patterns and gestures are repeated, making a pleasant work although, unlike the music, one lacking in excitement.

The baroque era and Mozart’s music are full of colour. In contrast to that, the dancers perform in black and white costumes designed by Martin Pakledinaz against bold backdrops designed by British artist Howard Hodgkin. First one of splodges of black paint, then one of white cloud like shapes, lit by James F. Ingalls in pastel colours.

All the American dancers display grace, elegance and individuality. In case there is any doubt as to who the conductor is, there is a photo in the programme but no photos of the dancers - perhaps the management thinks they are not worth identifying individually.