choreography: Martin Lawrance
When Bach arrived at the court of Gothen he found, for the first time, a sizeable group of outstanding musicians he could write for, and the sheer enjoyment of this is nowhere more evident than in his six Brandenburg concertos, which is why they are still so universally popular. Each was written for a different group of instruments, No 3 unusual in having violas but no violins, and No 2 outstanding for its glorious writing for the soaring clarity of the trumpet. The fast movements of these concertos race onward and in Skylark the steps chase after, rapidly catching up with the complexities of rhythm.
[‘All hands to dance and skylark’ was historically a command from a ship’s officer for his crew to take brisk exercise in the fresh air, shinning up and down the rigging (hence ‘skylark’). It was given when, confined at sea, the men became sluggish and listless; so it was, if you like, an early form of fitness training.]
First performed by Richard Alston Dance Company at the Octagon Theatre, Yeovil on 10 February 2009.