Philip Glass: Dances

Created in 1979, Dance Nos. 1-5 emerged from a landmark collaboration between choreographer Lucinda Childs and artist Sol LeWitt, blending music, movement and visuals into a singular artistic vision. Glass' tightly structured patterns mirror Childs’ precise, mathematically exact movement, reflected by the composer's signature rhythmic and harmonic hypnotism.

Written shortly after Einstein on the Beach, the work captures Glass at a pivotal moment. With combinations from solo organ, voice and saxophone, and with each movement lasting between 19-24 minutes, the work "somehow speaks all at once of joyful innocence, intense erotic desire, tenderness, regret and, finally, acceptance" (Richard Horn).






Presented by the Barbican.

Barbican Classical Music Programme receives major support from Marcus Margulies and additional support In Memory of John Murray.