Seeing Stanislav Belyaevsky‘s photo of the Mariinsky dancers Leonid Sarafanov and Oleysia Novikova in Edwaard Liang‘s FLIGHT OF ANGELS (above) reminded me that it was time to check in wth Edwaard to see what he’s been up to and what’s in the future for him.
Here is another image by Mr. Belyaesvsky from Edwaard’s Mariinsky ballet with Novikova and Sarafanov. Earlier this year, Edwaard created FLIGHT OF ANGELS in St. Petersburg and he shared this experience on my blog here and here. Then in May he was in Singapore and then it was Summer and…now it’s Autumn and an Edwaard Liang update is definitely overdue.
Portrait of Edwaard by Hauser & Fredda.
Edwaard Liang was the subject of my first Oberon’s Grove interview and it has been one of the most-read and most-Googled articles on my blog ever. A lot has happened for Edwaard since this interview, but the story of a wonderful dancer who became a wonderful and much-in-demand choreographer is a really good read – which I can say, since he did most of the writing.
Edwaard sent me a basic list of his upcoming choreographic engagements:
"I'm currently working with Joffrey Ballet, choreographing a new work for spring 2011.
This Winter: re-working a piece for Yuan Yuan Tan and Damian Smith
for the SFBallet Gala in January.
Winter: Start my second work for Singapore Dance Theatre
Spring 2011: - Premiere Joffrey new creation
- create and premiere a new work for Washington Ballet
Early summer: premiere Singapore Dance Theatre new creation
Fall of 2011 - start a new work for San Francisco Ballet for 2012
2012- Full length Romeo and Juliet for Tulsa Ballet
- New creation for Houston Ballet"
Then I had a few questions to ask him:
What music are you using for your new Joffrey piece?
“I’m using 4 different composers: Ravel, Michael Galasso, Britten, Gorecki.”
How far in advance do you pick your music?
“I am always looking and researching. I sometimes have music already set aside… sometimes I’m searching for a certain project.”
Do you have a list of musical works you would like to set and then wait for the right company to choose from the list or is it more spontaneous?
“I always have a wish list of music.. but it really has to fit with the company and the ballet I have in mind. So its half planned and half spontaneous.”
Do companies ever ask you to use specific music or is that always up to you?
“Yes.. certain companies have hired me for a specific project or piece of music. But that is always a bit harder.”
Do you find your mind racing ahead to all these projects or are you taking it one thing at a time?
“I try not to focus on too many things at once. I’m really just doing one project at a time.”
How great that you go back to Singapore…those dancers look so young,..and serious!
“I’m so happy to go back and work. I love working in Asia. I really want to do more in China, Hong Kong, etc.”
Photo: Hauser & Fredda. Although officially ‘retired’ as a dancer, Edwaard has obviously maintained his dancing form.
Oberon's Glade 