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Quest

by Martha Robinson
March 15, 2007
Philadelphia, PA
Network for New Music and Group Motion Dance Company
Present:
"Quest"

Philadelphia, PA – Two premier Philadelphia arts organizations join forces to present "Quest", a stirring evening of new music and dance exploring the human journey toward transformation: March 15-16, 8 PM, at the Philadelphia Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad Street.

Group Motion's Manfred Fischbeck and Silvana Cardell choreograph movement to chamber music of renowned composer George Crumb, as well as to a world premiere by Philadelphia composer David Ludwig. Watch the dance while the music is performed on stage by virtuoso guest guitarist William Anderson and the incomparable Network Ensemble, with video by Philadelphia artist Peter Price. Experience this exquisite performance – the result of accomplished artists from different genres coming together to create a brilliant new work – and meet the artists at a post-concert reception and discussion with the audience.

In his alternately dark and iridescent chamber work, Quest, composer George Crumb ponders such images as Dante's "In the midway of this our mortal life, I found me in a gloomy mood, astray . . . "; and, the concept of "'quest' as a long and torturous journey towards an ecstatic and transfigured feeling of 'arrival'".

David Ludwig uses ancient poetry from the prophet Jeremiah as inspiration for musical commentary on contemporary events in his new work, Lamentations. The music, adroitly balancing dissonance and sweetness, is composed of five movements of lament, associating ancient and present-day scenarios of war and destruction.

Group Motion Dance Theater interprets, expands and transforms the music, melding dance, theater and the visual arts into an engaging and provocative performance experience. Known since its founding in 1968 as a pioneer in multi-media dance/theatre, this diverse company has toured the world and regularly contributed important work to the body of dance/ theater pieces.

Acclaimed as "Philadelphia's premier new music group" (Philadelphia Inquirer) the Network for New Music has premiered and commissioned more than 500 new works since its inception in 1984; the virtuosic Network Ensemble recently won the prestigious ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.

DATE: Thursday and Friday, March 15 and 16, 2007, 8 PM
PLACE: Arts Bank, 601 South St., Philadelphia
TICKETS: $20; $15 seniors and students
INFO AND RESERVATIONS: 215-387-9895 www.groupmotion.org

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Group Motion Multi Media Dance Theatre is a professional dance theater company of versatile artists, melding dance, theater, music and visual arts into a provocative performance experience. Founded in 1968 by co-directors Manfred Fischbeck, Brigitta Herrmann and Hellmut Gottschild, Group Motion pioneered what was originally known as "multi-media dance/theater." The diverse company, under the sole artistic direction of Manfred Fischbeck since 1989, carries members chosen for their technical and creative abilities – choreographers in their own rights – regularly contributing to an extensive body of dance theater pieces. From historic appearances at the Judson Church in New York to international tours to countries including Germany, France, Argentina, Japan, Poland and Cyprus, Group Motion Company has been at the forefront of contemporary dance since its inception. Through international collaborations such as the 2005 partnership with renowned Tokyo choreographer Akiko Kitamura and a recent notable collaboration with prominent Argentinean choreographer, Oscar Araiz, Group Motion continues to expose this important art form to new audiences in Philadelphia and throughout the world. Group Motion's mission to make dance accessible to all people guides the company's work as well as the various workshops the company offers. The Friday Night Workshop, running every Friday night for almost 35 years is an example of improvisational movement and music made accessible to people of all walks of life.

Group Motion is funded in part by William Penn Foundation; Dance Advance, a program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by University of the Arts; The Japan-US Friendship Commission; Pennsylvania Council of the Arts/Arts Midwest; PennPat (Pennsylvania Performing Artists on Tour); and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE CALL 215.387.9895
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