{"id":27749,"date":"2018-12-11T08:44:52","date_gmt":"2018-12-11T13:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27749"},"modified":"2018-12-11T08:44:57","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T13:44:57","slug":"on-stage-modern-day-minstrels-take-their-art-to-the-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/?p=27749","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Modern day minstrels take their art to the people"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

hackedepicciotto<\/p><\/div>\n

Europe in medieval times had minstrels.<\/span><\/p>\n

A minstrel was an entertainer. Originally describing any type of entertainer such as a musician, juggler, acrobat, singer or fool, the term later, from the 16th century, came to mean a specialist entertainer who sang songs and played musical instruments. <\/span><\/p>\n

From the 14th century until the present day, West Africa has had griots.<\/span><\/p>\n

A griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

The world of modern industrial\/avant garde rock has hackedepicciotto.<\/span><\/p>\n

The German-based duo hackedepicciotto featuring Alexander Hacke, a founding member of Einst\u00fcrzende Neubauten, and Danielle de Picciotto<\/a>, a co-initiator of the Love Parade. Together, they are modern-day minstrels\u2026 European griots\u2026musicians and multimedia entertainers who travel the world to take their art to the people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both are legends of their own making. de Picciotto moved to Berlin in 1987, to become the lead singer of the band Space Cowboys, the co-initiator of the Love Parade, a collaborator of the Ocean Club with Gudrun Gut, and Hacke\u2019s partner in crime. The artist couple, romantically married in 2006, has creatively interacted with countless international projects for almost two decades in addition to regularly releasing their own compositions.<\/span><\/p>\n

On December 11, hackedepicciotto will bring their music to the area for a show at PhilaMOCA (531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, 267-519-9651<\/a>, www.philamoca.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Hacke and de Picciotto are celebrating the release of their latest album\u00a0\u201cMenetekel,\u201d a two-album set recently released on Potomak Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe started playing music together around 2003,\u201d said Hacke. \u201cWe did a thing called \u2018History of Electricity\u2019 and \u2018Ship of Fools.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

de Piccioto said, \u201cIn the beginning, things were a lot of multimedia. With \u2018Ship of Fools,\u2019 we read text and did visuals. The multimedia came later \u2013 around 2010.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe gave up our house in Berlin and started travelling. We put more focus on the music \u2013 more soundscapes. We were nomads. We couldn\u2019t have done it without the internet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hacke said, \u201cWe gave up the structural confines of our house. We really did become nomads. And, we thought, if we don\u2019t have structure, why should our music have structure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Their live shows are intense. de Picciotto specializes in unusual instruments, such as the hurdy gurdy, the auto harp and the kemence \u2013 and also plays violin and piano. Hacke is master of the bass, guitar and drums. Together they create beautiful, existentialistic, acoustic soundscapes which roar and vibrate simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe catalyst for us becoming nomads was mainly the gentrification of Berlin,\u201d said de Picciotto. \u201cIt started around 1995. By 2000, it had become very extreme. So, we decided we wanted to find a place where an artist can be free.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We travelled the Unites States, Europe and Australia. We went to Eastern Europe, London, Finland and Turkey. We got commissions and artist residencies. Some of my favorite places have been Hobart in Tasmania and Joshua Tree in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hacke said, \u201cI\u2019m a big fan of Vienna. The longest stay we\u2019ve had has been three months at the Meat Factory in the Czech Republic \u2013 in Prague.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The author of two books, de Picciotto writes most of their lyrics. Hacke, an excellent throat singer and vocalist, growls his gnarly, rumbling cries that float eerily over their nomadic desert drones. The collage of this mixed with melancholic, translucent harmonies, very heavy and low bass chords, and electronics are a mesmerizing universe of sound and emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The songs from \u201cMenetekel\u201d form the core of the live show.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded our previous album in Joshua Tree,\u201d said de Picciotto. \u201cWith \u2018Menetekel,\u2019 we recorded a lot of it in a church during a residency in Krens, Austria. We were working with the sound of the church. The whole atmosphere of the church really added to the recording.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hacke said, \u201cWe started composing the pieces when we were on tour. Half were composed during the tour. Others started in Austria and were finished in Berlin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMenetekel\u201d is darker than their last masterpiece \u201cPerseverantia.\u201d Menetekel is another word for \u201cthe writing on the wall\u201d and the artist couple is projecting our collective despair of what is happening worldwide momentarily into a monumental symphony of sound, twirling and twisting it into a biblical frenzy.
\n\u201c\u2018Menetekel\u2019 is the writing on the wall,\u201d said de Picciotto. \u201cWe all have to realize what is going on. There is a lot of desperation everywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for hackedepicciotto \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/wzcIbEp9lTQ<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at PhilaMOCA, which has Eric Hubel as the opening act, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another form of traditional entertainment arrives in the area every December \u2013 performances of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d ballet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Pennsylvania Ballet<\/p><\/div>\n

The Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s annual production of \u201cGeorge Balanchine\u2019s The Nutcracker\u201d has been one of the premier Philadelphia holiday traditions for many years \u2013 50 to be exact. For thousands of people, a trip to Philadelphia to enjoy the lavish presentation by the world-famous Pennsylvania Ballet is an integral part of the holiday season.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s production, which is running now through December 31 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-893-1999<\/a>, www.paballet.org<\/a>), is the 50th annual staging of the classic ballet. The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman\u2019s tale \u201cThe Nutcracker and The Mouse King\u201d and set to a score by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky.<\/span><\/p>\n

Featuring lively dances, colorful costumes and elaborate sets, \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a production that appeals to audiences of all ages. The original version of the timeless classic was first presented in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 1892.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my fifth season doing \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 with the Pennsylvania Ballet, said artistic director Angel Corella, during a recent phone interview. \u201cIt seems like only yesterday that it started.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Born in Madrid, Spain, Corella joined American Ballet Theatre in 1995 and was quickly promoted to principal dancer. In his 17-year career with ABT, he established himself as one of the greatest male dancers of his time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corella has also appeared as a guest artist with the Royal Ballet in London, the Kirov Ballet in Russia, and New York City Ballet. From 2008-2014, he served as director for his own company, the Barcelona Ballet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBallet is full-time\u2014for me and for the dancers,\u201d said Corella. \u201cWe try to refresh \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 every year \u2013 to bring a new direction and a new energy to it \u2013 to have new dancers and old dancers in new roles. I try to bring in new elements.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have new people doing Cavalier, Dew Drop and Marzipan. We have two new Cavaliers \u2013 Ashton Roxander and Etienne Diaz. We have 15 casts so it\u2019s a challenge to get them all rehearsal time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, the snow scene is a blizzard. It never stops. Toward the end, it gets really heavy. It looks really stunning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy and dynamic of the company are changing. It\u2019s very exciting now. With \u2018The Nutcracker,\u2019 it might be the first time for audience members, so dancers have to go onstage like it\u2019s the first time. It\u2019s very important that the theatrical part of the show is there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge is to keep it fresh. But no-one would dare to change the choreography. It\u2019s always true to Balanchine. We have to record all the shows and send them to the Balanchine Trust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Balanchine\u2019s choreography plays a major role in the Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s annual production of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d The company has been doing both acts by Balanchine for more than three decades.<\/span><\/p>\n

George Balanchine, who was named Giorgi Balanchivadze when he was born in Russia in 1904, was one of the last century\u2019s most celebrated choreographers. He was a primary developer of ballet in the United States in his position as co-founder and ballet master of New York City Ballet. Balanchine created his version of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d for the New York City Ballet in 1955.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s production of the ballet features over 100 performers and has an annual audience attendance of over 50,000. The company\u2019s production is big, colorful and elaborate. And, it is staged in one of the most beautiful performance halls in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

The version of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet features everything audiences associate with the timeless ballet\u2014a cast of 19th-century families celebrating Christmas Eve, a little girl\u2019s dream of her Nutcracker Prince, the Prince\u2019s toy soldiers battling a fleet of mice led by the Mouse King and the crowd-pleasing second act of dances in the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, we\u2019re still doing Balanchine\u2019s \u2018Nutcracker\u2019 because it works,\u201d said Corella. \u201cBalanchine\u2019s \u2018The Nutcracker\u2019 is one of the best in the world. At the Pennsylvania Ballet, I\u2019ve gotten my first chance to do Balanchine\u2019s choreography. I\u2019ve always done other versions \u2013 even when I was a dancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt has nice choreography. It\u2019s great to be able to do this show and give it justice. I haven\u2019t made any changes to the choreography. We stay respectful to Balanchine\u2019s original choreography. We just make sure the dancers stay under control.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a classic that dancers love. A good way to change it is to have a different approach. When I danced, the approach would be different every night. I think every dancer can make it special and different every day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing that never changes is the audiences\u2019 love for \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d It is a spectacular production that turns everyone\u2014adults, children and seniors\u2014into wide-eyed kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole process makes it feel like it\u2019s Christmas,\u201d said Corella. \u201cThere is hot chocolate. It\u2019s snowing outside. The whole family is there, and time seems to stop. It goes back to a certain place and time that everyone seems to recognize\u2014being able to re-connect and share.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s \u201cGeorge Balanchine\u2019s The Nutcracker\u201d \u2013<\/span> https:\/\/youtu.be\/2cUP07px8-Q<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evening, matinee, and morning performances are scheduled now through December 31. Ticket prices range from $35 -$164.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Brandywine Ballet<\/p><\/div>\n

Another impressive production of the classic ballet \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is presented by the Brandywine Ballet. The 2018 production marks the 39th year the local company has been presenting its version of \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The ballet is based on the timeless tale \u201cThe Nutcracker and The Mouse King\u201d and set to a score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. With its familiar music and energetic dance numbers, \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a show that appeals to audiences of all ages.<\/span><\/p>\n

This performance is one of Chester County\u2019s signature holiday events, and features original, traditional choreography by David Kloss and Donna L. Muzio, integrated with new choreographic elements by Nancy Page. Brandywine Ballet\u2019s annual production of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d continues to delight audiences each December with a tour de force of beauty and elegance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Brandywine Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d is a professional show that features skilled dancers, lively choreography, colorful costumes and sparkling sets. The show will be performed now through December 16 at West Chester University\u2019s Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall (700 South High Street, West Chester, 610-696-2711<\/a>, www.brandywineballet.org<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Performances of the ballet are scheduled for December 13 at 10 a.m., December 15 at 3 and 7 p.m. and December 16 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25, $35 and $45 for afternoon and evening performances and $18 for morning shows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577<\/a>, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) is hosting a quartet of performances of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d by the First State Ballet Theatre.<\/span><\/p>\n

The production is a ballet in two acts with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreography by Pasha Kambalov. The ballet, which had original choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa, had its premiere on December 18, 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Performances by the First State Ballet Theatre are scheduled for 7 p.m. on December 21, 2 and 7 p.m. on December 22 and 2 p.m. on December 23.<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for First State Ballet\u2019s \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ceun9LRWy_A<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ticket prices for the shows at The Grand Opera House range from $14.99-$50.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Entertainment Editor, The Times Europe in medieval times had minstrels. A minstrel was an entertainer. Originally describing any type of entertainer such as a musician, juggler, acrobat, singer or fool, the term later, from the 16th century, came to mean a specialist entertainer who sang songs and played musical instruments. From the 14th […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27751,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7441],"tags":[3619,6269,11117,11118],"class_list":["post-27749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-brandywine-ballet","tag-featured","tag-hackedepicciotto","tag-the-pennsylvania-ballet"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27749"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27749\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27750,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27749\/revisions\/27750"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chescotimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}