Footwork by Ljova
“Which came first, the music or the dance?” is a question I hear asked quite often about collaborations between musicians and choreographers.
Frequently, music is the primary inspiration for the movement — but sometimes it’s the reverse. On this album of my recent dance scores you'll get to experience both approaches, as well as something in-between.
Tracks 1-4 comprise my score to Polish choreographer Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s ballet “Almah”, commissioned by Parsons Dance. Almost the entire score was composed with Kate sitting on a yoga mat in my studio, giving me clues about a piece she would choreograph a few weeks later.
By contrast tracks 5 and 7-10 were written for “Hogar”, a collaboration with Ballet Hispanico and the Cuban choreographer Eduardo Vilaro. Eduardo and the dancers were already deep in rehearsals when I began sketching these pieces and I had the benefit of observing their process, the development of their language, for inspiration.
Track 6 is a combination of both approaches. Written as a collaboration with filmmaker Chris Shimojima and choreographer Adam Barruch, I had written and mocked up several sketches for this piece before it was choreographed and filmed — then, in the editing process, the piece took many different turns, and several more near-total revisions.
Whichever came first, the dance or the music, I hope that you will enjoy the music enough to create a dance of your own.
Send me your thoughts — http://Ljova.com/contact
with gratitude,
Ljova
Tracklist
| 1. | Waltz Squares | 3:21 |
| 2. | Duet | 3:13 |
| 3. | Quartet | 4:14 |
| 4. | Epilogue | 3:09 |
| 5. | Tease | 3:46 |
| 6. | Do You Like Me Now? | 3:56 |
| 7. | Drawl | 3:47 |
| 8. | Mecklenburg | 6:37 |
| 9. | Statue | 4:02 |
| 10. | Szeki | 4:02 |
Credits
FOOTWORK
all music composed by Ljova
Tracks 1-4 composed on commission from Parsons Dance, in collaboration with choreographer Katarzyna Skarpetowska
Track 6 composed for the dance film "Do You Like Me Now?" directed by Chris Shimojima, choreography by Adam Barruch
Tracks 5, 7-9 composed on commission from Ballet Hispanico, in collaboration with choreographer Eduardo Vilaro
Musicians:
Ljova, viola and fadolín (all tracks)
Sam Sadigursky, clarinets (1-4)
Ben Holmes, trumpet (1-4)
Patrick Farrell, accordion (1-4)
Mathias Künzli, percussion (1-4)
Ron Caswell, tuba (1-4)
Inna Barmash, vocal (4)
Pablo Aslan, bass (5)
John Hadfield, percussion (5)
Dan Tepfer, piano (6)
Michael Valerio, bass (6)
Ljova and the Pinky Swear Brigade:
Nicholas Danielson and Dana Lyn, violins (7-10)
Adam Fisher, violoncello (7-10)
Jordan Morton, bass (7-10)
Recorded at East Side Sound, engineered by Marc Urselli (1-4) and at The Bunker, engineered by Aaron Nevezie (7-10) in New York City, and at home studios of the musicians (5-6). Mixed by Marc Urselli (1-5), Casey Foubert (6) and Shahzad Ismaily (7-10). Mastered by Steven Berson.
Cover photo by Amber Star, featuring Macy Sullivan of Dance Heginbotham. Design by Glenda Morahan.
With deepest gratitude to everyone mentioned above, and the dancers! Special thanks also to David Parsons, Rebecca Josue, Judy Grunberg, Michelle Manzanales, and, first and foremost, to my dear family, Irena Ginzburg and Alexander Zhurbin, Inna Barmash, Benjy and Yosi with love.
©2017 Lev 'Ljova' Zhurbin | ℗2017 Ljova Music (ASCAP)
Kapustnik Records
www.Ljova.com
License
All rights reserved.
Lev "Ljova' Zhurbin was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1978. He divides his time between composing music for film, concert, and dance; performing with his own ensemble LJOVA AND THE KONTRABAND, and arranging music for the Yo-Yo Ma & Silk Road Ensemble, Kronos Quartet, Alondra de la Parra, Brooklyn Philharmonic and many others.