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Armitage/McGregor/Pite/Whitley Tickets

Sadler's WellsLondon

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Pianist, conductor and composer Thomas Adès plays and conducts in his only London appearances in 2014 for See the Music, Hear the Dance - part of Sadler's Wells' Composer Series. Featuring four dance works - including two world premieres - See the Music, Hear the Dance features some of Adès' most celebrated music, played live by one of the world's most distinguished and pioneering ensembles, Britten Sinfonia.

“He has outgrown his status as the wunderkind of a vibrant British scene and become one of the most imposing figures in contemporary music”
THE NEW YORKER on Thomas Adès

The evening begins with the beautiful Outlier, choreographed by Associate Artist Wayne McGregor to Adès’ violin concerto Concentric Paths played by Thomas Gould. A European premiere, the piece was originally created for the New York City Ballet, and is re-mounted for the first time on the extraordinary dancers of Wayne McGregor | Random Dance.

Karole Armitage is renowned for pushing boundaries to create contemporary work that blends dance, music and art. She presents her exquisite duet Life Story, set to Adès’ work based on words by Tennessee Williams. Performed by two dancers of her New York-based Armitage Gone! Dance Company, the piece features British soprano Claire Booth, with Adès on piano.

New Wave Associate Alexander Whitley presents the world premiere of The Grit in the Oyster. Whitley's sensuous and intricately detailed choreography sets a trio of dancers against the absorbing Piano Quintet with Adès on piano.

The evening culminates in a new world premiere, choreographed by Crystal Pite in response to Adès' vast and formidable Polaris. Pite choreographs a cast of 60 dancers in the spiralling structures inspired by Adès'creation: a turbulent voyage for dancers and musicians alike.