A DANCE FOR AUSTIN SYMPHONY CONDUCTOR PETER BAY
July 12 – 14, 2012 at the Rollins Studio Theater at the Long Center for the Performing Arts
Inspired by the virtuosic movement of symphonic conducting, Solo Symphony features Austin Symphony conductor Peter Bay performing a dance created in collaboration with Allison Orr. Accompanied by thirteen musicians performing an original score by Graham Reynolds, the dance features both Bay conducting and Bay performing movements based abstractly on his conducting gestures. The piece also includes text taken from Orr’s interviews with Bay, providing a memoir-style look into Bay’s love of music and passion for conducting. The work highlights Bay’s tremendously skilled and unique conducting style, his passion and deep love for music, and the artistry and grace with which he performs his job. Solo Symphony was listed as a Top 10 Dance of 2012 by Austin Chronicle writers Robert Faires and Jonelle Seitz, and won an Austin Critic’s Table Award.
Recognition
Listed as a Top 10 Dance of 2012 by the Austin Chronicle by both Robert Faires and Jonelle Seitz.
Winner of Austin Critic’s Table Award 2012-13.
Robert Faires of The Austin Chronicle writes: “A revelation – of the dance at the heart of an orchestral conductor’s movements, of Peter Bay’s love for his work and courage as an artist, and, through his artistry and that of choreographer Allison Orr, of the Creator as a dancer and musicmaker.”
Jonelle Seitz of The Austin Chronicle writes: “Incidental moments of disconnect between conducting, or movement, and music presented a dark side – like a loss of a language once possessed – thereby underscoring the exceptionality and magic of music-making and physical response.”
Press
Austin Chronicles (Robert Faires) | Austin Chronicles (Jonelle Seitz)
