Brevity
Performed by His Majestie's Clerkes
Co-commissioned by University of California - Berkeley and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
I. Thomas-Town (Great God how frail...): Mahoney and Anderson, Jeffrey, Rivera, Robinson
II. Chester: Howard and Cho, Malone, Stahl, Stanton
III. Chesterfield: Anderson, Jeffery, Mahoney, Quijada, Rivera, Robinson
IV. Come Life, Shaker Life: Howard, Cho, Malone, Stahl, Stanton
V. Virgins Clothed in a Clean White Garment: Jeffrey, Mahoney, Quijada, Rivera, Robinson
VI. Sweet Prospect: Stanton and Stahl, Rivera
VII. Jordan: Anderson, Howard, Cho, Malone, Stahl, Stanton, Jeffrey, Mahoney, Quijada, Rivera, Robinson
VIII. Brevity: Jeffrey
IX. New Jerusalem: Stanton and Rivera, Howard, Cho, Malone, Stahl, Anderson, Jeffrey, Mahoney, Robinson
X. Northfield: Robinson and company
Sweet Fields is one of three works premiered by Tharp’s new company, which she formed after nearly 10 years of working as a freelance choreographer. The dance is set to a suite of early American hymns, most of which were composed around the time of the Revolutionary War.
In reference to the Shaker tradition, the men and women are separated, making physical contact in only one section. The choreography is grounded in basic locomotion such as hops, skips and turns. The movement is purposeful and unadorned. Dancers cross the stage with loping steps and move in simple, geometric patterns – circles, chevrons, lines. Dressed simply in white costumes by Norma Kamali, the dancers form an egalitarian community.
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Stanton in performance.
<p>©Jack Vartoogian</p> -
Rivera, Stanton and Stahl perform.
<p>©Jack Vartoogian</p> <p> </p> -
Company dancers in performance.
<p>©Johan Elbers</p> -
Company dancers in performance.
<p>©Jack Vartoogian</p>
Company dancers in an excerpt from "Jordan."
"Hymns from William Billings, the Shaker tradition, and The Sacred Harp"
Thomas Town
Written by William Billings
From the album "Ghoostly Psalmes"
Published by Harmonia Mundi Records
Chester
Written by William Billings
From the album "Ghoostly Psalmes"
Published by Harmonia Mundi Records
Chesterfield
Written by William Billings
From the album "Ghoostly Psalmes"
Published by Harmonia Mundi Records
Come Life, Shaker Life
Traditional
Performed by the Boston Camerata, the Schola Cantorum of Boston and Shakers of Sabbathday Lake
Conducted by Joel Cohen
From the album "Simple Gifts"
Published by Erato
Virgins Clothed In A Clean White Garment...
Traditional
Performed by the Boston Camerata, the Schola Cantorum of Boston and Shakers of Sabbathday Lake
Conducted by Joel Cohen
From the album "Simple Gifts"
Published by Erato
Sweet Prospect
Written by William Walker
From the album "Rivers of Delight"
Published by Elektra/Nonesuch Records
Jordan
Written by William Billings
Performed by His Majestie's Clerkes
Conducted by Paul Hillier
From "A Land Of Pure Delight"
Published by Harmonia Mundi Records
Brevity
Written by Abraham Woods
Performed by His Majestie's Clerkes
Conducted by Paul Hillier
From the album "Ghoostly Psalmes"
Published by Harmonia Mundi Records
New Jerusalem
Written by Jeremiah Ingalls
From "Rivers Of Delight"
Performed by the Word of Mouth Chorus
Published by Elektra/Nonsuch Records
Northfield
Written by Jeremiah Ingalls
From "Rivers Of Delight"
Performed by the Word of Mouth Chorus
Published by Elektra/Nonsuch Records
Brevity
Performed by His Majestie's Clerkes