WSO's Rite of Spring (in fall) stirring

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra wrapped up its fourth annual Indigenous Festival with one of the mightiest works in the symphonic repertoire: Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring that still stirs the blood with its pounding, visceral rhythms and clashing harmonies.

Friday night's performance led by WSO maestro Alexander Mickelthwate featured choreography by Odette Heyn (Odette Heyn Projects) and Buffy Handel (Aboriginal School of Dance Ensemble), performed by a 22-dancer ensemble comprised of students and graduates from the ASDE, as well as the School of Contemporary Dancers.

Incredibly, it's been nearly 100 years since the iconic ballet sparked riots and hissing catcalls during its 1913 Paris première, performed by the Ballets Russes with choreography by the great Nijinsky. Numerous choreographers have tackled the challenge since then, from the late Pina Baush to Canada's own extraordinary Marie Chouinard.

Depicting a ritualistic, pagan rite where a young girl dances herself to death, the intensely dramatic work tied to mother earth is, in many ways, a no-brainer for an indigenous festival. Indeed, the weekend's two performances mark the second time these collective forces have come together since its 2010 première.

The piece began with the aboriginal dancers in traditional dress appearing as witnesses, pulsing around the modern dancers wearing white, filmy dresses and trousers. Heyn and Handel (who also performed) integrate the two culturally diverse troupes by having dancers come and go, cartwheel, step, and in one particularly stirring moment, soar across the stage adorned in giant butterfly wings, providing true spectacle that this work demands. Other effective touches included: a grass dancer who weaves throughout the modern dancers, another in eagle wings and feather headdress, and glorious turquoise silk cloths that evoke both sea and sky. Mickelthwate dug in hard on the podium, crisply leading the players through the iconic score that changed classical music forever. As expected, the crowd of 725 gave the performers a rousing standing ovation.

The WSO première of Argentine-born composer Astor Piazzolla's Bandoneón Concerto featured guest bandoneónist Daniel Binelli. Composed in 1979, the three-movement work evokes booze-soaked brothels of Buenos Aires rife with tango. Binelli immediately launched into the first movement Allegretto marcato filled with percussive syncopated rhythms juxtaposed with more lyrical passages. The distinguished-looking, white haired artist truly made his squeezebox speak as he coaxed sound from the instrument, ranging from low growls to sweet-honeyed cajoling.

The second movement Moderato provided further opportunity to hear this internationally renowned master at work, evidenced by his sustained tones, dynamic palette and complete ease slipping in and out of musical shadows. Then the third Presto, broke the spell, filled with dance-like rhythms punctuated by pizzicato in the lower strings, scraping percussion instruments and florid solo passages cast against beating timpani. The audience leapt to their feet with loud cheers, demanding two curtain calls from this charismatic artist.

The concert opened with Objibwa/Odawa composer and vocalist Barbara Croall's Mijidwewinan (Messages) performed with herself as soloist. Appearing in traditional dress and moccasins, Croall is a compelling performer with great conviction. The 15-minute, atmospheric piece chronicles a journey guided by Morning and Evening Star through passages of the day, against a backdrop of human waste and negligence. Croall began the textural work chanting in her own language as a storyteller, accompanying herself with various instrument including bells and whistles, a wooden flute and a hand drum. Unfortunately, no English translation for the text was provided so the audience was left to devise its own meaning, Ironically, a work about messages became, itself, lost in translation.

The concert repeats tonight, 8 p.m. at the Centennial Concert Hall.

holly.harris@shaw.ca

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

Masterworks

Friday, October 12

Centennial Concert Hall

Attendance: 725

(Four stars out of five)

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 13, 2012 A30