Book I (Solo for a Male Dancer): Colton
Book II (Quartet): Washington, Kurshals, Carrafa, Freydont with Way
Shelley Freydont, Shelley Washington, Jennifer Way
John Carrafa, Richard Colton, Raymond Kurshals
Brahms Paganini is set to both books of Johannes Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme by Paganini,” a virtuosic composition for solo piano.
A male dancer performs the entire first book of variations alone. Rapid turns and large jumps explode out of quick weight shifts. In Tharp’s style of easy virtuosity, he slides expertly from one variation to the next.
The second book is danced by a quartet. The movement is infused with athletic dynamism that pushes the dancers' strength and determination. A female soloist intersperses the powerful partnering with echoes of the preceding section.
Brahms Paganini is a tour de force for both the dancers and pianist, requiring the highest levels of technical proficiency and stamina.
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Freydont, Carrafa, Washington and Kurshals in a promotional photo.
<p>©Jack Mitchell</p> -
William Whitener performs "Book I."
<p>©Martha Swope</p> <p> </p>
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Opus 35 (Books I & II)
Composed By Johannes Brahms