In honor of Independence.
Not the kind of independence that separates countries one from the other, but the kind of independence that celebrates clarity of self, autonomy of expression, release from influence, creative assertion and fluency, freedom of intellectual curiosity, declarative liberation, release from the chains of social constraint…
“I am not nice. That has gotten me into a lot of trouble.” – Sylvie Guillem
Mats Ek choreographed the solo stage piece, BYE, in 2011 at the request of Guillem, considered the greatest ballerina of her generation. Guillem would soon leave the world of dance to move into another era, another chapter, another world of creative expression in her own life, and BYE is reflective of that transition.
“My ambition, if you can call it that, was to discover and learn and be excited by what I was doing. If I didn’t have that, I would find it elsewhere.” – Sylvie Guillem
This is a video of the film version of BYE, done in 2013, “… about a woman who takes leave of a certain stage in her life. It is a conversation that she has with herself that leads to new experiences.” – Mats Ek
Reflective of leaving,
Reflective of moving forward,
Reflective of each moment of emotional and physical life,
Reflective of what it means to be free.
Independence is something that ought to be celebrated every day, not just (officially) on Independence Day. I encourage you all to watch every single minute of this piece of brilliant choreography, whimsically, defiantly and embracingly danced by Guillem.
BYE is one of my favorite pieces of choreography, one of my favorite collaborations between dancer, choreographer and composer. When I watch it, I feel…free. It is a celebration of independence in every conceivable way.
“I think it’s going to be a big shock. I don’t know who I am going to be without this. So — let’s just face it.” – Sylvie Guillem
#SylvieGuillem #MatsEks #BeethovenOpus111 #IvoPogorelich #BYE #Dance #Ballet
Sylvie Guillem Prepares to End Her Ballet Career:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/arts/dance/sylvie-guillem-prepares-to-end-her-ballet-career.html
Why Mats Ek is retiring, and taking his ballets with him:
http://dancemagazine.com/news/10-minutes-with-mats-ek/
July 4, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Saving to watch when I have full battery charge on phone. Thank you for sharing this Giselle Minoli
July 4, 2016 at 5:00 pm
2 incredible artists!
July 4, 2016 at 5:08 pm
I know Kena Herod. Have you seen this? It is extraordinary. I would have loved to have been able to see it in person…
July 4, 2016 at 5:09 pm
You won’t regret it stuart richman!…but…may I say…sad to watch it on such a small screen! But small screen is better than no screen.
July 4, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Giselle Minoli I don’t have a computer so can only watch the video on the phone. My apartment building has a limited use shared public computer but it’s not currently available because of the holiday.
July 4, 2016 at 5:15 pm
No matter stuart richman. I somehow think you will enjoy it no matter what or where. Happy Fourth of July! It’s raining here…
July 4, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Giselle Minoli I’ve not seen the piece onstage but I’ve seen Guillem live when she was much younger and still a ballerina (one of the best of her generation). I’ve via the internet enjoyed seeing her work out that transition as on “older” dance artist. As far as Mats Ek, I’ve seen his choreography performed by different companies. I admire both of them and I wish more folks had the chances to see live performances as I have. Dance simply doesn’t get enough exposure.
July 4, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Stunning, just wonderful.
July 4, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Told you George Melnikoff I would not lead you astray… 😉
July 4, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Happy birthday America to you also Giselle Minoli here in South Carolina it is uncomfortably hot and humid with a heat index of 103 and rain expected in the next hour. I look forward to the video and know I will enjoy it.
July 4, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Giselle Minoli of course you would not…I remember A very young Sylvie, when she danced in my brother, Victor’s show in Montreal. I had lunch at her table, with a few other dancers.She was lovely, very shy and one hell of a dancer , already.
July 4, 2016 at 6:12 pm
George Melnikoff I remember your brother Victor and Gala des Etoiles, One of the best dance galas in the world! Giselle Minoli Guillem was for years the image of the Gala on all the promo as she had danced there like George said. Victor gave a lot to the dance community of Montreal particulary as seeing real classical ballet was getting very rare in that city (and still is). God bless him.
July 4, 2016 at 6:38 pm
Six Degrees of Separation Kena Herod from Sylvie Guillem…you and George Melnikoff and Victor Melnikoff converge at the Gale des Etoiles – which I would never know about had I not posted about her here and had you not been a ballet lover yourself…small delicious dancerly word.
July 4, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Giselle Minoli I’ve reviewed the Gala and myself and my ex-husband were in the society pages in Montreal for attending one of the galas and being at the great after-party Victor always threw. George Melnikoff your brother was brilliant at programming. I interviewed him for a piece I did years ago. He gave me access for interviews with several of his superstars. He really did enliven Montreal and the city is poorer without him! So here’s one review (sorry that when Maisonneuve redid their website all photos were lost) and the society pages from The Montreal Gazette.
I attended the Gala for some years and one year my daughter was old enough to finally attend, fell “in love” with some of the ballerinas and got their autographs to her delight!
https://maisonneuve.org/article/2004/09/21/starry-eyed/ shows how legendary Victor was in getting the creme de la creme of the dance world for a performance and then held an awesome party after with them all (how incredible to meet the dancers!) but you have to scroll down a few paragraphs to see it. Do so. The names of amazing dance people are quite something and for me to be included in the list was an honour: http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=b6d1dfc2-3d96-4836-b992-70c336c73d3f
July 5, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Kena Herod hello Kena, I do recall speaking with you last year.thanks for all the wonderful memories of Victor.
He was incredibly passionate about the arts and ballet around the world.Driven would not suffice as a description for him.I remember some late night winter calls from him, when he was burrowed in his St Saveur cottage.His joy of signing people like Bujones to dance, lead to extended conversations about his love of movement.
The show and ballet was his life, simply said, he found his calling and helped raise money for a few charities in Montreal.
I am leaving out the door this morning, but will shortly recount the time I worked for him one summer and had to accompany the Kirov, around the western U.S.
Best to you Kena and Giselle, as well.
My Gala des Etoiles t-shirt still sits in my drawer..black as ever.
July 5, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Can’t wait to hear George Melnikoff!
July 5, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Kena Herod what great memories of yours about Victor Melnikoff kind of you to take the time to share them with George Melnikoff. I appreciated being able to read your review, as you know I have been pressing you to continue writing about dance ever since we met here on G+ years ago!
And how nice and jarring the memory of Bujones George Melnikoff! And, dare I note – “had to” accompany the Kirov around the western U.S.? 😉
July 6, 2016 at 7:12 am
Giselle Minoli well., Giselle,you start the train rolling..we all just jump on.Thanks, lady!will explain that phrase off line.
July 6, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Well George Melnikoff I like a good train ride filled with interesting people…and ballerinas!
July 11, 2016 at 7:40 am
https://plus.google.com/collection/0BJtaB?hl=en