<<  -- 6 --  Tess Crebbin    TREADING NEW GROUND

The idea of choreographed dance performances, and especially the physical presence of dance legend John Neumeier, was a joint idea of Korbinian Meyer, who oversees the event for the television station, Mariss Jansons and Dr Schmitt-Ott. 'I consider Jansons one of the best conductors for Dvorák, because he has such an intrinsic understanding of the composer's roots', Schmitt-Ott said. 'This, coupled with the choreography of Neumeier, made for a truly breathtaking performance.'

Neumeier, who is known for his ability to break new ground, interpreted the Hungarian Dance in a most modern manner. Aside from all the classical dance movements, the piece involved more unusual moves, such as the dancer pulling himself up by his own hair, boxing into the air at an unseen opponent, or exasperatingly stumping out an imaginary cigarette.

Audiences were thrilled to be honoured by the presence of the master himself, who, at the end of the performance, came onto the stage. Milwaukee-born Neumeier runs the Hamburg State Ballet and is considered to be one of the last living legends of classical dance. Backstage after the concert, it was Neumeier who was the most beleaguered, with fans rarely getting more than two sentences in before someone else arrived with a photo request.

'It was an incredible experience for me,' said one member of the audience, 'not only to watch a marvellous classical concert but also have the privilege of seeing an excerpt of Neumeier's work. He is still among the best that the world of dance has to offer.'

One young lady, all of twenty two years old, put it this way: 'You know, I usually never watch classical concerts. Never. But when I happened to sit in on rehearsals, by accident, for a few hours, I was completely spellbound. Then I knew that I just had to attend the concert. I enjoyed it enormously.'