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Vladimir Malakhov performs a scene in ``Tchaikovsky.'' The dancer will meet local fans for the first time at Seoul Arts Center Sept. 10-13.
/ Courtesy of KNBC |
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The untold story of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be put on stage this month by the Korea National Ballet (KNBC).
The local troupe has joined Boris Eifman, 61, one of the world's greatest choreographers, to tell the mysterious and tragic story of the Russian artist.
``When I first introduced this work in 1993, there was a lot of opposition and protest. It was the first time in Russia to cover the secret life of the famous composer and because he was respected so much, it was prohibited to reveal his personal life," Eifman told reporters during a press conference last week in central Seoul.
"But I was curious. Curious of how the talented composer made such tragic works during his life. This is not a biographical story, but more about Tchaikovsky's mind and soul.''
The choreographer visited Korea with noted dancer Vladimir Malakhov, who will portray Tchaikovsky for local fans.
``This is my first visit to Korea. I remember dancing with Korean ballerina Kang Sue-jin in George Balanchine's `Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' and Marius Petipa's `The Blue Bird' when we were very young," Malakhov said.
"Precise movements come naturally when you work on Eifman's work. You get to appreciate the performance with emotions that root from the music, and that guarantee the quality of the work.''
The ballet ``Tchaikovsky'' revolves around the young and troubled composer who, both in dreams and reality, must overcome his emotional breakdowns. He meets several friends and lovers along his musical journey, including his alter ego, and after many ups and downs in relationships and his career, he silently accepts his fate and dies.
``This particular work by Eifman will make the audience wonder if it is a ballet work or a movie. I hope viewers will watch the dancers as artists, not just ballet dancers,'' said Choi Tae-ji, the artistic director of the KNBC.
Eifman has had a special relationship with Korean ballet fans and also the KNBC, as in 1992 the master introduced his work ``Requiem'' for the first time here. Ballerina Choi Li-na, the daughter of Choi Tae-Ji, is also a member of Eifman's dance troupe and will perform for local fans in ``Tchaikovsky.''
Clips of the work showed that it was far from a conventional piece.
In the ballet, Tchaikovsky sits on the side of the stage or simply walks pondering as ballerinas dance along to the music in the background. In the scene where the composer goes through an emotional breakdown, male dancers jump up and down and slide over a large table, throwing off their clothes in exasperation, with the lighting set in dark purple, red and orange. Another interesting scene was when the corps de ballet dressed in elegant costumes dance to the music with small umbrellas. This particular sequence seemed like a scene out of an ancient Russian movie ― complete with long dresses, hair ornaments and matching umbrellas.
``Many dancers have strong muscled bodies, but that was not what I was looking for," Eifman explained. "For me Tchaikovsky was like a broken soul and Malakhov will present these emotions. As for the Korean dancers, I was very surprised to find that they had a connection with Tchaikovsky's music and that is what they are working on right now. Not just focusing on the technique, but trying to understand the characteristic and the music of this particular work.''
The work will be accompanied by Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, and will offer some of the composer's best works, including Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, the Serenade for Strings in C major Op. 48 and the Symphony No. 6 in B minor Op. 74 ``Pathetique.''
Fans can see ``Tchaikovsky'' at the Seoul Arts Center between Sept. 10-13. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1588-7890 or visit www.ticketlink.co.kr.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
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