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SLSO Brings Ballet to the Concert Hall

By Eric Dundon

In reviewing the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s March 16-17 program, the St. Louis American wrote, “The added layer of movement lent itself perfectly to the moment of artistic intersectionality offered by SLSO through their presentation of Adam Shoenberg’s Picture Studies.”

The review refers to a special element of these performances and reflects a belief of the SLSO’s and Music Director Stéphane Denève’s that art forms can live side by side, uplifting each other and generating new and profound experiences.

For the SLSO’s first performances of Schoenberg’s Picture Studies—a modern version of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition—the orchestra was joined by the Big Muddy Dance Company, who performed modern dance throughout the ten-movement piece. Choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director of The Big Muddy Dance Company, the dancers shared the stage as soloists, small groups, and with the entire company. The performance resulted in a rousing standing ovation.

The dance theme of the program carried over into the second half of the program with Denève’s own compilation of music from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, the ballet of the famous William Shakespeare tragedy. Denève called his suite the “Romantic” suite, focusing on music created for the love story.

Photos by Virginia Harold.

Music Director Stéphane Denève leads his own compilation of music from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo Juliet.
The company started on stage together for Adam Schoenberg’s Picture Studies.
Concertmaster David Halen greets the audience at Stifel Theatre.
The performance of music from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet brought the house to its feet.
Music Director Stéphane Denève (center), Big Muddy Dance Company Artistic Director Kirven Douthit-Boyd (center left), and dancers from the Big Muddy Dance Company take a bow after the multi-disciplinary performance of Adam Schoenberg’s Picture Studies.
The SLSO performed at the Stifel Theatre while its home at Powell Hall undergoes expansion and renovation.
The horn section performs during Romeo and Juliet.
Composer Adam Schoenberg, center, joined artistic leaders and dancers for a bow.
This program featured a Young Friends Night, where audience members under 45 gathered before and after the concert to mingle with musicians.
Dancers in the Big Muddy Dance Company perform in front of the orchestra.

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