Spring Dances at Juilliard
There is no doubt that the young, performing dancers are on their way to professional careers, especially the young men in "Soldiers' Mass," a work by Jirí Kylián. The performance and choreography were equal to Bohuslav Martinú's magnificent 1939 "Mass." Kylián's work was first performed by the Netherlands Dance Theater, where he is now one of the resident choreographers, after having produced more than 70 works for that company. It was first seen at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1981 as "Soldier's Field," following its premiere in the Netherlands, 1980. An anti-war theme is the basis for this emotionally powerful dance performed this season with Juilliard's orchestra conducted by George Stelluto and a 22-man chorus.
The "Mass" was restaged for Juilliard by Kylián's long-time associate, Roslyn Anderson, with the help of rehearsal director Stephen Pier. Anderson travels the world-over staging Kylián's works. How can these young men, non-combatants, relate to a war theme? Lawrence Rhodes, Director of the Dance Division: "There isn't anyone, even at an early age, who has not experienced loss, pain or despair. That's why these young dancers can relate to the emotional content of the work."
The choreography movement is quasi-modern dance in its freedom, lifts and falls, but contains no athletic tours-de-force. It consists of pulsating lines pushing forward and retreating, with moments of quiet lying down, kneeling, as if in prayer. At one point, two men retrieve a comrade (Kevin Shannon), who temporarily rebels against the horror and regimentation. Powerful, too, is the scene in which the young dancers face the audience and sing a prayer from the Mass. The audience was mesmerized. Kylián is a master in presenting theatrical themes without overstating them or using obvious devices.
The program opened with the premiere of Susan Marshall's "Name By Name," for the 18 girls of the school, to music by David Lang. It began with the dancers rolling from beneath the curtain, tumbling, clustering, sprawling, standing in odd poses but looking cheerful in their contemporary street-dress costumes. The work was age-appropriate and offered a cheerful opening.
Twyla Tharp's "Deuce Coupe" to music of the Beach Boys was also performed and gave opportunity for antic movements. The Juilliard school performances this season reached such a high level, they challenge regional companies.