TIMELESS AND ETERNAL

John Neumeier expresses his admiration
for Leonard Bernstein with 'Bernstein Dances',
reported by TESS CREBBIN

American Choreographer John Neumeier, based in Hamburg, is a lucky man because everyone wants him. A recent article in a large German newspaper said: 'The public wants Neumeier, no matter what.' And now the world is coming to Hamburg! For the anniversary celebrations of the Hamburg Ballet-John Neumeier, 6-27 June 2004, a great many people are travelling to there from all over the globe because it is a rare occasion to see Neumeier's finest pieces in the space of only a few weeks. A definite highlight will be Neumeier's Bernstein Dances -- based on the music and spirit of Leonard Bernstein and also dedicated to Bernstein, with whom Neumeier was friends.

'Our friendship began because of dance and Bernstein still dances for me -- the man and the music,' Neumeier said. 'Anyone who has ever seen him conduct can understand what I mean. In 1974, when I was preparing to choreograph Mahler's Third Symphony, I had the rather ambitious idea that Bernstein should conduct. Of course it wasn't possible for Bernstein, whose schedule was obviously full for years in advance, to work on this project. But he took time to speak to me about the Mahler Third, and discussed my work. Later, when I staged West Side Story he came to Hamburg and we met again. Immediately, a friendship developed.'

This friendship later led to Neumeier choreographing other Bernstein works, such as Songfest and The Age of Anxiety, and also the entire musical Out of Town. The Bernstein Dances choreography is the homage of one great man of arts to another great man of arts, and the former will never forget the latter.

'It is a title with two meanings,' says Neumeier, 'a suite of dances to Bernstein's music and Bernstein -- himself -- dances. Perhaps the title should also be understood in a third sense: 'dances' emphasises the present tense -- his music dances -- will always dance -- timeless and eternal.'