Josef Nadj & Akosh Szelevényi: Les Corbeaux

„The small stage forms Josef Nadj launched in Spring 2008 all follow in the wake of Entracte (March 2008), each in their own way renewing and accentuating one of its central themes, if not its central theme: joining music and dance together in the closest possible relationship, conducting them to a point of complete balance, rendering indiscernible the respective part each played in the genesis of that which then becomes a feat, a performance. And to deepen this exploration, free improvisation here takes on its fullest expression – with all that presupposes of uniqueness and instantaneousness, of the unpredictable and unrepeatable. And also all it requires from each protagonist in the way of attentiveness and availability, openness to the other, to otherness, and to the present moment. With Les Corbeaux, Josef Nadj and Akosh Szelevényi, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, continue their conversation, turning once again to the Nature of their natal region. As the title suggests, this performance piece is nourished by the patient meticulous scrutiny and observation of crows, in particular the fleeting instant when they touch ground, when the transition between flight and walk transpires. A third partner is invited to join this dance-music dialogue, expressing itself, “reacting freely”, giving voice to its silence: a black painting, liquid sheen, that across the thread of the musical and choreographic gestures, leaves its trace, bearing witness or capturing footprints of the passage of crows. And so, by way of the danced movement Nadj abandons himself to, movement which progressively engages his hand, face, arm and then his entire body over the course of this improvisation – the state Nadj seeks to achieve is preparation for the pictorial gesture. His “becoming bird” merges with his “becoming a brush.„ Myriam Blœdé translated into English by David Vaughn



Choreography: Josef Nadj
Musical composition: Akosh Szelevényi
With: Josef Nadj, Akosh Szelevényi
Light design: Rémi Nicolas
Light designer assisted by:  Christian Scheltens
Set design and props: Clément Dirat, Julien Fleureau. Alexandre De Monte
Technical lighting managing: Christian Scheltens
Stage: Sylvain Blocquaux
Sound: Jean-Philippe Dupont
Technical team: Christian Scheltens, Steven Le Corre, Julien Fleureau
Touring Managment: Michel Chialvo
Press & Marketing: Mony Lé
 
Production: Centre Chorégraphique National d'Orléans
Coproduction: Théâtre Forum Meyrin

A frst stage of The Corbeaux was presented the 11th of June 2008, at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris commissionned by « Festival Jazz Nomades – La Voix est Libre » / Production « L'Onde & Cybèle ». First performances of the long version took place the 20th and 21st of March 2010, at Théâtre Forum Meyrin in Switzerland.

This performance piece has received special funding for artistic creation from the city of Orleans for its appearance at the Avignon Festival.

The Centre chorégraphique national d’Orléans received grant from Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication – DGCA - DRAC Centre, the City of Orléans, the Région Centre, the Départment of Loiret. It receives aid from the French Institute (the French Foreign Ministry's agency for cultural action outside of France) for international touring. The Centre chorégraphique national d'Orléans – direction Josef Nadj is member of the Association of Centres Chorégraphiques Nationaux (ACCN).