Hope for liberation during a dark period of war threat and political oppression; a masterpiece by Beethoven sublimely expressed in dance by Toer van Schayk.
Everything gets into a stupor
Creating an abstract and layered classical ballet for a large ensemble of a top company to a Beethoven symphony: few can do it and Toer is one of them. His ballet may date from 1986 but it is still as sparkling and impressive as it was then. I was allowed to take part at the time and wasn't too shy about going tough on a pounding sforzato raising my arms militarily (Beethoven's symphony was premiered at a benefit concert for wounded soldiers from a Napoleonic war) tightly and diagonally in the air, running around driven, jumping high and throwing dancers on musical cannon shots perpendicularly into the air.
By comparison, NDT then had Symphony in D, The National Ballet received 7th Symphony. The difference is that at The National Ballet, about one movement fits on every beat and at NDT, at least 4 movements must also be possible. That's why ballet with the Dutch National Ballet is called classical ballet. Rest and silence are valuable moments for Toer van Schayk, also necessary to alternate and put into perspective the bombastic scenes working towards a climax. Although some dancers arbitrarily add un-Dutch drama, the dance alone is full and exuberant despite a certain restraint. The urge for freedom splashes off and skips.
I guess you had to be there.
Lucifer Studies: why always that belief?
Approaching God later in life need not be blamed on anyone. Lucifer Studies would be about the fall of an angel described by Joost van den Vondel but you can also see in it an apology by Toer. A condoning of less pure human behaviour, whether or not prompted by a rebellious angel which ultimately leads to loneliness or isolation (dancer Timothy van Poucke is left sarcastically alone). Portraying God in ballet seems an Icarus grip (at least in a post-Christian country, you won't be persecuted for it) yet this ballet develops promisingly.
Because of Joep Franssens' lustrous music, uncanny and played ever menacingly by an excellent The Ballet Orchestra, the colour-changing rusty-looking panels pointing towards a gate, beautiful dance moves that range from technically difficult classical steps to angular asymmetry, yet gradually the seven languorous male dancers carry such a dramatic charge that before you realise it you find yourself in a kind of Two and Only squared is Wubkje Kuindersma's widely acclaimed intimate duet for two men.
Ragingly handsome that Rev managed to pull this off at 84, with all the flaws of old age (he just got back on his feet after a broken hip). What ambition and what passion for the arts and life! So instead of a fallen angel, I prefer to think of the words of the more important person in the Christian faith: 'Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart'. After all, Rev is bound to be rebellious at times; I know him mostly as humility and meekness himself.
Congratulations Rev on your 85th next September 28!
Good to know: The Dutch National Ballet is celebrating a 60th anniversary with the programme TOER as a special tribute to the dance artist. You can still admire wonderful dancers like Young Gyu Choi, Sem Sjouke, Floor Eimers, Jakob Feyferlik, Nina Tonoli, Timothy van Poucke, Edo Wijnen and many others online in TOUR on 6 October.
English (UK) 
Nederlands 
Français 
