PURCHASE DANCE COMPANY TO PERFORM IMPORTANT CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS

On April 15, 16, and 17, Purchase College, “one of the country’s most highly regarded dance conservatories,” according to the New York Times, will present the Purchase Dance Company in a diverse program ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary modern dances.

Members of the Purchase Dance Company, students chosen from the highly competitive BFA program, will perform two evocative classic pieces: Martha Graham’s anti-war statement Chronicle (1936) and George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments (1946). The Company also has the advantage of working closely with some of the most groundbreaking choreographers today. The spring concert will present Counterpoint (2015) by Conservatory of Dance alumni and MacArthur “genius” grant-winner Kyle Abraham, and as it was, it is (applause) Alexandra Beller’s new dance theater piece commissioned for the Purchase Dance Company.

Of special note, the Purchase Dance Company will mark the passing of the former graduate program director Kazuko Hirabayashi with special alumni performances of her choreography. On opening night, April 15, Daniel Madoff, formerly of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, will perform Hibernation (1982). Performances on April 16 will feature 2013 graduate Hannah Button in Song of Sorrows (1985, revival 2008).

“We are excited to give our tremendously talented students the opportunity to perform these challenging works and stretch themselves as dancers. Their training and exposure to classic, contemporary, and cutting-edge choreography uniquely prepares them for successful careers with a wide-range of companies,” said Nelly van Bommel, Director of Dance at Purchase College.

Performances will take place at the Pepsico Theatre at the Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. A special pre-event talk featuring several of the artists will take place on April 15 at 7:15 p.m. Darrah Carr, a visiting assistant professor of dance, will moderate.

Tickets are $20. Discounted tickets are available for seniors and the campus community. Purchase tickets by calling (914) 251-6200, in person at the box office, or by visiting www.artscenter.org.

About the Works

George Balanchine: The Four Temperaments

This ballet references the medieval concept of psychological humors through its classically grounded but definitively modern movement.

Martha Graham: Chronicle

Graham’s response to the rise of fascism in 1936 and to the power of the collective will, this ballet remains powerful and timeless.

Kyle Abraham: Counterpoint

The work is a septet originally created in collaboration with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago through a commission by The Chicago Dancing Festival. Set to a blend of music by Brahms and modern electric music, it is an exploration of isolation in both movement and space.

Alexandra Beller: Premiere of as it was, it is (applause)

A dance theater work for 20 dancers about how words fail dance, the work reveals the humor and poignancy that can emerge in the disconnection between bodily expression and language.

Kazuko Hirabayashi: Hibernation

The theme of this emotionally rich work is regeneration.

Kazuko Hirabayashi Song of Sorrows

Originally choreographed for Sarah Stackhouse, an associate professor emerita of dance and principal dancer of the José Limón Company, this poetic solo is a rumination on grief.