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Description
More Information
Education
What The Critics Say
What you Say
Performance History
Choreography & Concept
Graeme Murphy
Creative Associate
Janet Vernon
Music
Pianist
Scott Davie
Additional Music
Scott Davie
Music Direction
Graeme Murphy, Janet Vernon, Scott Davie
Costume
Akira Isogawa
Lighting
Damien Cooper
Set
Gerard Manion
Duration
80 minutes
Ensemble
17 dancers
Grand
Click here to view GRAND E-Card
Graeme Murphy’s new work GRAND reunites the creative team from Ellipse and Air and other invisible forces in a compelling collaboration exploring the dynamic in the relationship between dance and the piano.
For centuries the great composers have showcased the versatility of an instrument capable of musical mood swings from delicate court minuets to the smokey blues of the jazz bar through to the grand classics played in the world of the concert hall.
The iconic image of the piano is the driving force and inspiration behind GRAND, as Murphy explores his passion for the piano through a journey into the heart of this remarkable instrument.
With design by artist Gerard Manion, lighting by Damien Cooper and costumes by renowned fashion designer Akira Isogawa, Murphy has created a work which encompasses both the acoustic sound and visuals of the pianos internal workings. More than a mere merging of music and movement, GRAND provides the medium for a dialogue between instrument and dancer.
In GRAND, Akira transcends the usual delineation between stage costume and fashion achieving a truly unique blend of dance and couture.
With concert pianist and recording artist Scott Davie, a chemistry is created between pianist and dancer, taking the audience on a journey into the fascinating repertoire of piano composition.
"…Murphy clearly has an extraordinary talent – in addition to his gifts as a choreographer – of bringing together artists of various stripe who can meld dance, music, lighting, design and theatre into an unforgettable evening."
The Times, New Orleans, 2004
Click here to view GRAND E-Card
Graeme Murphy’s new work GRAND reunites the creative team from Ellipse and Air and other invisible forces in a compelling collaboration exploring the dynamic in the relationship between dance and the piano.
For centuries the great composers have showcased the versatility of an instrument capable of musical mood swings from delicate court minuets to the smokey blues of the jazz bar through to the grand classics played in the world of the concert hall.
The iconic image of the piano is the driving force and inspiration behind GRAND, as Murphy explores his passion for the piano through a journey into the heart of this remarkable instrument.
With design by artist Gerard Manion, lighting by Damien Cooper and costumes by renowned fashion designer Akira Isogawa, Murphy has created a work which encompasses both the acoustic sound and visuals of the pianos internal workings. More than a mere merging of music and movement, GRAND provides the medium for a dialogue between instrument and dancer.
In GRAND, Akira transcends the usual delineation between stage costume and fashion achieving a truly unique blend of dance and couture.
With concert pianist and recording artist Scott Davie, a chemistry is created between pianist and dancer, taking the audience on a journey into the fascinating repertoire of piano composition.
"…Murphy clearly has an extraordinary talent – in addition to his gifts as a choreographer – of bringing together artists of various stripe who can meld dance, music, lighting, design and theatre into an unforgettable evening."
The Times, New Orleans, 2004
Venues, Dates & Bookings
More Information
GRAND is dedicated to Betty Pitt Murphy 1922 – 2004
GRAND Music
Johann Sebastian BACH
Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Toru TAKEMITSU
Rain Tree Sketch II
Heitor VILLA–LOBOS
“Coral-Canto do Sertão” from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4
Alberto GINASTERA
“Danza de la moza donosa”, Danzas Argentinas No. 2
Alberto GINASTERA
“Danza del gaucho matrero”, Danzas Argentinas No. 3
Claude DEBUSSY
“Des pas sur la neige” [Footsteps in the Snow] Prélude, Book 1 No. 6
Aleksandr SKRYABIN
Vers la flamme: Poème, [Towards the Flame] Op. 72
Henry COWELL
The Banshee
Henry COWELL
Piece for Piano
Sergei RACHMANINOFF
The Bumblebee [after Rimsky-Korsakov]
Heitor VILLA–LOBOS
Caixinha de Musica Quebrada [The Broken Little Music Box]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
“Polka” from the Ballet “The Golden Century” Op. 22
George GERSHWIN & Ira GERSHWIN
“Shall We Dance”
TRADITIONAL
Chopsticks
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Largo e mesto, Piano Sonata in D major, Op. 10 No. 3
George GERSHWIN
Andante con moto e poco rubato from Three Preludes
Thomas “Fats” WALLER
Alligator Crawl
Harold ARLEN & Edgar HARBURG
“Over the Rainbow” [arr. Keith Jarrett]
Ferenc LISZT
Valse de l’opéra ‘Faust’ de Gounod
György LIGETI
Tempo di valzero
Maurice RAVEL
La valse: Poème choréographique
Johann Sebastian BACH
Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Australia’s state-of-the-art record label Melba Recordings presents the music of GRAND on CD available in June.
For more information and to order, write to:
Melba Recordings
PO Box 415
Elwood 3184
Phone (03) 9534 5004
Fax (03) 9593 8533
Or email at info@melbarecordings.com.au
The Melba catalogue is on www.melbarecordings.com.au
GRAND is dedicated to Betty Pitt Murphy 1922 – 2004
GRAND Music
Johann Sebastian BACH
Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Toru TAKEMITSU
Rain Tree Sketch II
Heitor VILLA–LOBOS
“Coral-Canto do Sertão” from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4
Alberto GINASTERA
“Danza de la moza donosa”, Danzas Argentinas No. 2
Alberto GINASTERA
“Danza del gaucho matrero”, Danzas Argentinas No. 3
Claude DEBUSSY
“Des pas sur la neige” [Footsteps in the Snow] Prélude, Book 1 No. 6
Aleksandr SKRYABIN
Vers la flamme: Poème, [Towards the Flame] Op. 72
Henry COWELL
The Banshee
Henry COWELL
Piece for Piano
Sergei RACHMANINOFF
The Bumblebee [after Rimsky-Korsakov]
Heitor VILLA–LOBOS
Caixinha de Musica Quebrada [The Broken Little Music Box]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
“Polka” from the Ballet “The Golden Century” Op. 22
George GERSHWIN & Ira GERSHWIN
“Shall We Dance”
TRADITIONAL
Chopsticks
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Largo e mesto, Piano Sonata in D major, Op. 10 No. 3
George GERSHWIN
Andante con moto e poco rubato from Three Preludes
Thomas “Fats” WALLER
Alligator Crawl
Harold ARLEN & Edgar HARBURG
“Over the Rainbow” [arr. Keith Jarrett]
Ferenc LISZT
Valse de l’opéra ‘Faust’ de Gounod
György LIGETI
Tempo di valzero
Maurice RAVEL
La valse: Poème choréographique
Johann Sebastian BACH
Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Australia’s state-of-the-art record label Melba Recordings presents the music of GRAND on CD available in June.
For more information and to order, write to:
Melba Recordings
PO Box 415
Elwood 3184
Phone (03) 9534 5004
Fax (03) 9593 8533
Or email at info@melbarecordings.com.au
The Melba catalogue is on www.melbarecordings.com.au
Education
Student Support
The collaboration between choreographer Graeme Murphy and each of the design artists provides an ideal opportunity for students to discover how individuals of varying talents can work together to achieve inspiring results. The fusion of contemporary dance together with the skills of a pianist, fashion designer, figurative artist and theatrical lighting designer are laid bare on the stage for all the audience to see.
Subject Suitability
Years 7 - 12 studying dance, visual arts, music 1 and 2, music extension, textiles and design, drama and entertainment industry.
For further information please call 02 9258 4806
Student Support
The collaboration between choreographer Graeme Murphy and each of the design artists provides an ideal opportunity for students to discover how individuals of varying talents can work together to achieve inspiring results. The fusion of contemporary dance together with the skills of a pianist, fashion designer, figurative artist and theatrical lighting designer are laid bare on the stage for all the audience to see.
Subject Suitability
Years 7 - 12 studying dance, visual arts, music 1 and 2, music extension, textiles and design, drama and entertainment industry.
For further information please call 02 9258 4806
What The Critics Say
Grand is something special, a dance work to savour. Its wealth of choreographic ideas, explored and developed by all 17 members of the Sydney Dance Company, make it a rich experience to enjoy in the moment and think about afterwards.
Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
Grand is essentially a theatrical exploration of the mechanisms of the piano, a superbly entertaining physical, aural and visual response to strings and keys, soft felts and shiny surfaces, and to the art of playing itself... This is certainly a dance work everyone can enjoy. Its accessible, fun, engaging and heartfelt. A winning combination.
Critic's Rating: 10/10
Critic's Rating: 10/10
Julie Huffer, The Sun-Herald, Australia
His [Graeme Murphy's] latest work, Grand, shows his best strengths. Most outstanding is his choice of collaborators, people who bring immaculate staging for his nimble dancers.
Martin Portus, Sydney Star Observer, Australia
What You Say
1 Jun 2005
1 June 2005
1 June 2005
Jun 2 2005
18 June 2005
1 Jun 2005
Compliment to Graeme Murphy... Graeme, I attended your 'Grand' performance at the Opera House last Monday 30 May - may I wish my heartiest congratulations to you and the company - it was a fantastic performance - highly artistic, creative, brilliant. Am sure your mother Betty was tickling the ivories from above in sync with the show. Well done to you. Many congratulations - thanks for sharing your outstanding talent.
Anne Sullivan
Woollahra
NSW
Australia
1 June 2005
We saw the final preview of Grand last night, what a stunning and moving work of art, in every respect and in every aspect. One stunning moment of beautiful design after another, a moving sculpture wrapped in wonderful light and fabric. We felt very moved by the performance and reading today in the SMH of Graeme's feelings for his mother, realise why.
Mairi and Pieter de Vries
Bilgola Plateau
NSW
Australia
1 June 2005
Grand is truly GRAND! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed last night's performance. I was overcome with tears by the final curtain and was so inspired that I will now be sending my five year old son to learn ballet. The dancers were incredible, the pianist was superb, the costumes were so ethereal and beautiful and the choreography and entire concept......well, Graeme Murphy has vision beyond compare. Thank you to the entire Company for such an incredible and complete experience.
Tracey Mietzke
Sydney
NSW
Australia
Jun 2 2005
Wow!!! Thank you is just not good enough. I have just been spell bound by your wonderful production of "Grand". I loved every minute of it. The dancers seemed to be having fun too. As for the pianist!!! He was amazing!! What a shame it had to end.. oh well .. it left me thinking, "what will he come up with next??!!" I've seen all your productions, they are all so clever, different and I love them!!!!! Thanks a million!!!
Carole Jaye
Neutral Bay
NSW
Australia
18 June 2005
Grand is an enthralling production. It is visually exciting, part comic, part moving and entirely uplifting. The Sydney Dance Company and Graeme Murphy should be congratulated for this fine production. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening.
Stuart Bridgman
Ivanhoe
VIC
Australia
Performance History
1-18 June 2005
Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
7-16 July 2005
State Theatre, the Arts Centre
MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA
22-23 June 2005
Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA
16-20 August 2005
Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre
BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA
30 November-3 December 2005
Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA
31 March - 1 April 2006
Theatre North, Launceston
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
4-6 April 2006
Theatre Royal, Hobart
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
1-18 June 2005
Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
7-16 July 2005
State Theatre, the Arts Centre
MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA
22-23 June 2005
Canberra Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre
CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA
16-20 August 2005
Playhouse, Queensland Performing Arts Centre
BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA
30 November-3 December 2005
Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA
31 March - 1 April 2006
Theatre North, Launceston
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA
4-6 April 2006
Theatre Royal, Hobart
TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA