Concert Conversation
Concert Conversation, premiered at the Laban Theatre in October 2015, this project was initially commissioned for BA third-year students. It continued to evolve, with a special performance at the Royal Academy of Arts in April 2016 as part of the event Spun Through Shadows.
Choreographed by Lizzi Kew Ross and set to the music of composer John White, Concert Conversation explores the dynamic relationship between movement and sound. John White’s piano duets, first composed in 1974, draw on traditional melodies and harmonies, yet are imbued with a meta-ironic twist, playfully commenting on themes of excitement, thwarted love, and contention. Originally created for private enjoyment, the duets find new life in this collaborative work, performed by pianists Douglas Finch and Bobby Chen.
In this production, dancers and musicians engage in a unique artistic dialogue, embodying the energy and exuberance of the duets. Choreographer Lizzi Kew Ross describes the process as an immersion in the art of conversation, with dancers and musicians connecting deeply with each other and the music. The original lighting by Fay Patterson and costumes by Lizzie Barker further enhance the visual and atmospheric qualities of the piece.
Performed by a talented ensemble of dancers, Concert Conversation invites audiences into a space where dance and music converse, challenge, and inspire each other. It is a celebration of spontaneity, playfulness, and the timeless joy of artistic collaboration.
Choreographer - Lizzi Kew Ross with the dancers & musicians.
Composer - John White (First set of duets 1974)
Musicians - Douglas Finch, Bobby Chen
Lighting Designer - Fay Patterson
Costume Designer - Lizzie Barker
Performers - Sebastian Abarbanell, Jean- Bapiste Baele, Rachel Blomberg, Eilidh Brown, Lydia Buckler, Svenja Buhl, Madison Capel-Bird, Rosalynd Carrie, Gaia Ciclani, Samara Dubois, Jade Franklin, Marie Michele Gagnon- Tessier, Laura Ganotis, Irene Ingebretsen, Maria Lothe, Helen Penn, Almudena Perez, Marta Polak, Nadjeschda Schaefer, Vivian Triantafyllopoulou, Merel Van Den Beld and Monika Warejko Chris Spraggs
Concert Conversation
Choreographer Lizzi Kew Ross s & Composer John White’s notes
I first heard John White’s duets played by Douglas and Bobby at a concert at The Reform Club last year. So many images immediately came to me, and I loved their exuberance, fun and energy. The dancers and musicians have thrown themselves into the process and connected with the art of conversation. LKR
The piano duets of 1974 refer to traditional melodies, harmonies and gestures, but have meta-ironic things to say about excitement, thwarted expressions of love, pomposity, contention. They were composed “privately” for the amusement of his musical collaborator, Chris Hobbs, to be rehearsed and played during a free period at Drama Centre London, where they both taught at the time.
A short interview with Lizzi Kew Ross, composer John White and pianist duo Douglas Finch and Bobby Chen for Spun Through Shadows "From Encounters To Performance".
Interview
