Toward Home: A Three-Movement Dance Work
SYREN Modern Dance and Steeplechase Arts & Productions have created an evening-length, three-movement work inspired by ideas of home. Choreographer Kate Mehan St. Amand (SYREN) and composer Damon Ferrante (Steeplechase) have set the piece for 8 dancers and six musicians (violin, cello, piano, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic and electric bass, and percussion).
Most of the music for "Toward Home" was written on the road–from the mountains of western and central Virginia to the seaside towns of eastern Long Island. The music is drawn from two simple, folk-like themes. These themes wend their way through the score and are transformed as part of a musical travelogue. The first movement is performed by a piano trio (violin, cello, piano). Guitar, bass, and percussion play in the second movement. The third movement brings all of the instruments together.
Most of the music for "Toward Home" was written on the road–from the mountains of western and central Virginia to the seaside towns of eastern Long Island. The music is drawn from two simple, folk-like themes. These themes wend their way through the score and are transformed as part of a musical travelogue. The first movement is performed by a piano trio (violin, cello, piano). Guitar, bass, and percussion play in the second movement. The third movement brings all of the instruments together.
"One of the best dance pieces I have seen in years! The choreography was visually gripping and intensely moving--and just simply beautiful--and magically tied to the music score. The dancers were first rate and just a joy to watch. The music is intense, unique and beautiful. Thank you for creating such beauty. A wonderful evening of performance and music." Laura Perrotti, Special Events Coordinator at Guild Hall
"This piece [ 'Toward Home' ] is representative of Damon Ferrante's work: dynamic, rhythmic, exciting, rocking, and extremely expressive. I'm a fan. He is clearly a young composer to watch." Oren Fader, Professional Classical Guitarist
"'Toward Home' is a wonderful piece that stretches the boundaries of what is possible for a piano trio, guitar, bass and percussion. It features exciting and virtuosic writing for all the instruments in a harmonic language that is accessible and fun to listen to. Highly recommended!" Ian Rosenbaum, Professional Percussionist
"From the first few notes in the opening movement, one is immediately captivated; thrown into a musical landscape of mystery and passion, its melody satiates every perceptual organ in the body and the mind and, without question epitomizes the intrigue of human expression, taken to its deepest depths by Ferrante." Stephan Dalal, WKCR-FM
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Toward Home rehearsal excerpt from the Barishnikov Arts Center in New York
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