Appearing in Seattle for the very first time, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève has a rich, century-long history in Switzerland. Known for its exceptional, classically trained dancers and a repertory of varied works by today's leading choreographers, the company is considered one of the most original and inventive dance companies in Europe. For their Seattle debut, Ballet Genève will perform the evening-length Preludes et Fugues by acclaimed Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat, an hypnotic reflection on human interaction set to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier performed to live, solo piano by Brooks Tran.
Choreographer's statement about Preludes et Fugues
by Emmanuel Gat
On the title page of The Well-Tempered Clavier Bach writes: "...For the Use and Profit of the Musical Youth Desirous of Learning...", and indeed this work (as all of Bach's music) is to me a kind of mentor/manual/guide/companion. Bach's way of transforming structure and form into a musical object that holds fundamental truths, is to me unmatched. The Well-Tempered Clavier embodies most of my beliefs regarding art making in general and choreography in particular. It is with profound humility, gratitude and love for this music, that I embark on this project.
About Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève
The history of ballet in Geneva dates back to the beginning of the 19th century and is intimately linked with the "Théâtre de Neuve", initially located in the Bastions, and subsequently in the present-day Grand Théâtre. By the 1870s, the ballet master of the time had two dozen dancers under his instructions, of whom several held the rank of soloist.
About Emanuel Gat
Emanuel Gat was born in Israel in 1969. His first encounter with dance was at the age of 23 during a workshop led by Israeli choreographer Nir Ben Gal. A few months later he joined the Liat Dror Nir Ben Gal Company with whom he toured internationally.
He started working as an independent choreographer in 1994. Ten years later, Gat founded his company Emanuel Gat Dance at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv, with whom he has created several pieces, of which Winter Voyage (2004) and The Rite of Spring (2004) won a Bessy Award; K626 in 2006 and 3for2007 in 2007, before choosing to settle in France, at the Maison Intercommunale de la Danse in Istres. Silent Ballet (2008) was the first piece created in France, followed by Winter variations in 2009, and Brilliant Corners in 2011. In 2013, Emanuel Gat was associated artist to the Montpellier Danse Festival for which the company developed the project Up Close Up proposing two new works: The Goldlandbergs and Corner Etudes, a photographic installation It's people, how abstract can it get?, and a choreographic event Danses de Cour. Gat is regularly invited to set his work and create new choreographies for dance companies around the world including: The Paris Opera Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Tanztheater Bremen, Le Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Ballet de Marseille, The Royal Swedish Ballet, Polish National Ballet, Ballet de Lorraine, and Cedar Lake among others.
About Brooks Tran, pianist
A native of the Pacific Northwest, pianist Brooks Tran began playing the piano at the age of seven. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at the University of Washington under the tutelage of Patricia Michaelian. Tran has performed throughout the United States as well as on the air. He won the annual UW Concerto Competition and was a finalist at the Ladies Musical Club competition, and has performed as a soloist with the University Symphony and the UW Wind Ensemble. Tran also recently performed Chopin's 24 Préludes live with innovative dance group Compagnie Marie Chouinard of Montreal. Tran is an avid chamber musician, collaborating regularly with chamber partners; he formed the Erös Trio in 2010, and has worked with internationally acclaimed groups, including the Emerson String Quartet, Claremont Trio, Cuarteto Casals, and members of the Seattle Chamber Music Society. Tran is also the co-founder and associate artistic director of Parnassus Project (www.parnassusproject.com), a chamber collective presenting a new, dynamic approach to the classical concert experience. Additionally, he is very involved with contemporary music and is a core member of Inverted Space, the UW Modern Ensemble. Tran recently participated in the Atlantic Music Festival and Seattle Piano Institute and has worked with Bruce Brubaker, Gabriel Chodos, Robin McCabe, and Christopher O'Riley. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral of Musical Arts at the University of Washington, studying with Craig Sheppard. Tran maintains a private teaching studio, and he is also involved in musical projects outside the classical world.
About UW World Series
The UW World Series is one of Seattle's leading performing arts organizations, presenting innovative, provocative, and diverse international artists in music, theater, and dance. More than 450 visiting artists from around the world have performed as part of the UWWS. The eclectic mix of programming has given Northwest audiences a broad view of the world of performing arts, from sampling unique cultural traditions to experiencing innovative new works that expand the scope and direction of contemporary performing arts. The UW World Series' mission includes supporting the educational goals of the University of Washington by providing extensive arts learning opportunities for UW students and faculty, area school children and teachers, and members of the community at large.
Tickets, Meany Hall, and More Information
Purchase tickets: Call 206-543-4880, or order online at uwworldseries.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the UW Arts Ticket Office, located at 1313 NE 41st. Or fax your order to the Ticket Office at 206-685-4141. Tickets are subject to availability. Artists, dates, programs, and prices are subject to change.
UW Student Discount: UW Students with valid student IDs may purchase $10 student tickets. Some seating restrictions apply. Tickets are subject to availability.Location and parking: Meany Hall is located on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington, on 15th Avenue NE between NE 40th and 41st Streets. Parking for Meany Hall is available in the Central Parking Garage (entrance at 15th Avenue and 41st Street). On-street metered parking is also available.
Accessibility: The University of Washington is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or e-mail at dso@u.washington.edu. Disability seating with up to three companion seats per disability space is available for all UWWS events. Reservations for disability seating must be made at the time of purchase. Please contact the UW Arts Ticket Office at 206-543-4880 for specific seating options and availability.Videos