Sarabande

Photo: Hans Gerritsen

Choreographer: Jiří Kylián

“The first time we come across the word sarabande is in 1539, in a poem by Fernando Guzmán Mexía. It was then described as a frivolous and indecent dance, often performed by men in woman’s clothes. In fact, this dance was forbidden in Spain under the rule of the almighty king Philip II. And in fact, this dance and its music, which we know from its noble and very respectable compositions by J.S. Bach, in particular have nothing to do with its vulgar origin.

I was, and I am a great admirer of Bach since my early teens, and I played his piano pieces. In fact, I have made my state examinations playing his ‘Italian Concerto’. But my admiration for Bach was such, that I didn’t dare to use his music for any of my choreographies for very many years. In fact, it took me twenty years to finally do so. On the 13th of September 1990 it finally happened... ’Sarabande’! - Jiří Kylián