Grosse Fuge

Photo: Tony van Muyden
On this photo: Eric Hampton, Arlette van Boven, Jon Benoit, Nils Christe, Paul Porter, Karen Tims

Choreographer: Hans van Manen

'Grosse Fuge' premièred at Nederlands Dans Theater in 1971. It was immediately considered a masterpiece, and has been performed all over the world, both by NDT I and NDT II, as well as by other companies.
The set design with its slowly rising line of light was created by Jean-Paul Vroom. 'Grosse
Fuge' is the only choreography for which Hans van Manen himself designed the costumes.
Characteristic are the long “Grahamskirts” of the men, brought into whirling movement by
their invisible legs, and the reiterated upward stretching arms, first with hands clenched,
then again with fingers spread apart.
The music by Beethoven is unquestionably romantic, but with a strong tension, sometimes aggression to it. Both elements return in the choreography.