Dancing with Apollo
A programme of music, dance and commentary centred on Greek myth, ranging from Szymanowski’s impressionistic and exotic vision of characters from ancient Greek myth, to Stravinsky’s sparkling neo-classical interpretation of ancient Greek song forms, to David Matthews’ lyrical version of the story of Venus and Adonis, composed for Sara Trickey. We also have the premiere of a new piece, A Duet in the Dark, by Festival Curator Edmund Finnis, featuring dancers directed by the acclaimed choreographer, Kim Brandstrup.
Marina Warner DBE, Britain’s foremost mythographer, completes the line-up, shedding light on the meaning and history behind the works.
Igor Stravinsky Duo Concertante
Karol Szymanowski Myths
David Matthews Venus and Adonis
Edmund Finnis A Duet in the Dark world premiere
Sara Trickey violin
Ivana Gavric piano
Marina Warner analysis and myth
Kim Brandstrup choreography
Laurel Dalley Smith and Liam Riddick dancers
Edmund Finnis’ work was commissioned by Spitalfields Music, with the support of the New Music Commission Fund
With grateful thanks to the following at the University of Oxford for their support and assistance in the development of A Duet in the Dark:
We’ve been working with our wonderful friend from Thoroughly Good, Jon Jacob, on a series of podcasts for you to listen to pre (or post!) our events. We hope you enjoy listening!
Episode 1: What’s in the Spitalfields Festival 2021
Jon Jacob speaks to composers Errollyn Wallen, Edmund Finnis, Howard Goodall, and David Fennessey about their new works, including a tribute to those carers who lost their lives in the first wave of the COVID pandemic.
