Doug Varone & Dancers February 5, 2010

Doug Varone & Dancers return to the Center with a program that pairs lyrical and lush movement with the music of contemporary masters: Lux, a work for the full company with music by Philip Glass; Egalite, duets set to music by John Adams; and Varone's newest work, Alchemy.

Alchemy takes inspiration from Steve Reich's Daniel Variations, a score that juxtaposes text from the biblical book of Daniel and the words of Daniel Pearl, the American Jewish reporter kidnapped and murdered by Islamic extremists in Pakistan in 2002. The music pays homage to all victims who, in the face of violence and cruelty, courageously reveal the dignity and beauty of humanity. As Daniel Pearl’s widow Marianne writes, “In the end, you can only oppose them with the strength they think they have taken away from you.”

This performance is part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days.

Official Website: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2009/c/performances/performance?rowid=9168