Mozart Sonata K.545

Mozart Sonata K.545 was choreographed during the company's residency at the Wolf Trap Academy in the summer of 1971.  It was performed outside on the National Mall in front of the Arts and Industry Building and later on the hillside by the Wolf Trap Academy Theater.

The first section is a duet to the Mozart Sonata, and the second a duet to a song by The Mighty Clouds Of Joy. About thirty American University students performed slow, unison movement in the background while the company dancers performed in the foreground.

This was the last of the outdoor, flash mob style performances. Naima Prevots, then director of Dance at American University, remembers the performance:  "Most of the audience thought she was nuts and I loved it!"  This performance brought to Tharp's attention the reality that, though the performances were often successful, her intentions were frequently misunderstood when the dance was imposed on an unsuspecting audience.