Jirí Kylián's work during his long and distinguished tenure (from 1975–2004) as artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theater has been featured in numerous DVD offerings (including Nederlands Dans Theater Celebrates Jirí Kylián [VL-3/08]). Kylián's ballet Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess was choreographed to a score commissioned from Maki Ishii, who also conducts this 1994 performance. Presented in an impressionistic, nonlinear fashion, the story is based on a Japanese fairy tale about the enigmatic Moon Princess Kaguyahime and various human subjects, including the kings and nobles who seek union with her and compete to achieve it. But the plot is a secondary concern; Kylián's primary aim is to evoke the awe and mystery inherent in the relationship between the heavenly and terrestrial realms, and in this he largely succeeds. The music, which blends pounding percussion with Japanese wind instruments, alternates highly energetic sequences with quieter, more reflective passages, providing ample scope for Kylián to demonstrate his skill in both solos and massed movement. His conception is beautifully realized by the dancers, particularly Fiona Lummis as Kaguyahime and Paul Lightfoot as Mikado, while the design and lighting by Michael Simon, as well as Férial Simon's stylish costumes, also form important elements. Kaguyahime is a challenging work, hampered further by dated visuals and less-than-sterling LPCM stereo sound, but as a major piece by one of the most significant figures in modern dance, this is definitely recommended. (F. Swietek)
Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess
(1994) 69 min. DVD: $19.99. Kultur International Films (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 978-0-7697-9026-8. Volume 26, Issue 2
Kaguyahime: The Moon Princess
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