The 45th Dance Season Opening Performance Ode to Joy Evolving— Pursues Happiness in a Programmed Realm. Exquisite Dancing Bodies Meeting Fervent Classic Tunes in a Tug-of-War Between Autonomy and Manipulation
[vc_row enable_arrows_animation="no"][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image="41893" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text](Hong Kong, 6th May 2024) Last month, City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) unveiled the theme of the latest dance season ‘An Ardent °Fall’, along with an array of season-exclusive and anniversary productions. As the prelude to the dance season, Ode to Joy Evolving will guide the audience through the distinctive contemporary dance vocabulary of intermediate generation choreographer Justyne Li to enter a programmed realm in pursuit of happiness. The production will be performed at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre from 10 to 12 May 2024. Tickets are now available at URBTIX, CCDC website and art-mate; advance booking of CCDC Dance Season 2024/25 is also available on CCDC website and art-mate until 9 May 2024 with discounts of up to 25%. Classical Music ‘Ode to Joy’ Weaving an Impassioned Dance Space to Echo Our City Today After the debut of the short work Ode to Joy in 2021, Director and Choreographer Justyne Li has refined the work to express completely different meanings on stage. Li explains, ‘This performance is about transformation. The past few years brought significant changes to the world, which has changed people. I then expanded on these imaginations.’ Interlacing the dance work is the fourth movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, ‘Ode to Joy’. The score begins with a soft, tranquil piece of music, before gradually ascending to the majestic chorus at the end. The lyrics were taken from a poem about happiness and fraternity, written by German poet Schiller in 1785. Despite Beethoven’s harsh living conditions, ranging from deafness to financial difficulties, he managed to compose this inspiring piece of music, firmly conveying his pursuits for peace, freedom, and happiness. Aspects of classical times cast light on those of the contemporary era: the annual happiness rankings published around the world differ and fluctuate from time to time.