Metropolitan Classical Ballet New & Reviews

Posted on Wed., Jan. 18, 2006

Ballet adds a little piano into the mix

By Punch Shaw
Special to The Star-Telegram

The Metropolitan Classical Ballet gave its audience a first-rate piano recital in addition to some engaging dancing in its Monday night performance at Bass Hall.

The opener was the impressive world premiere of Album for the Young, choreographed by company co-artistic director Paul Mejia to music composed (and played on stage) by Lowell Liebermann.

The 18-section piece, based on Schumann's work of the same name, has every bit of the innocent charm of that standard of the piano repertoire. Liebermann is often criticized for composing music that audiences immediately love (go figure), but it's hard to imagine how even his detractors could find fault with this work's brief, often clever, gems that wear their Romantic heritage proudly.

Mejia's choreography was perfectly matched to the music: sweet and simple. Maria Kudyakova and Andre Prikhodko were particular standouts among the 11 dancers.

Next was Songs of Mahler, with pianist Dale Dietert and mezzo-soprano Virginia Dupuy. Some of Tanju Tuzer's choreography offered nice ensemble work, especially in the flowing movements of a quartet of ballerinas in Do Not Eavesdrop on my Songs. But this set of songs, featuring various groupings of dancers, was not as strong overall as the rest of the program -- at least in part because the music is barely listenable, much less danceable.

The finale was the American premiere of Cross Winds, with music by Chopin and choreography by company member Anatoly Emelianov.

Pianist Alexei Melentiev delivered the best keyboard work of the night and Emelianov gave us the most compelling dance moves. The highly narrative piece (a story of a woman looking for love in mostly wrong places) was spiced with witty, playful moments and wow-inducing feats.

GRADE: B+