The Dutch National Ballet (2002)

Beethoven's 7th Symphony is often referred to as a 'dance symphony'. Beethoven wrote the symphony between 1812 and 1813, the last years of the Napoleonic wars, and the choreographer Toer van Schayk feels that it expresses the composer's ecstatic longing to reach the sublime future he was convinced lay ahead at the end of the dark period of the war. Grosse Fuge uses Beethoven's String Quartet, Op. 133 in B flat major (Grosse Fuge) and the Cavatina from opus 130 in B flat major to create an abstract ballet about van Manen's favourite theme, the tension and relationship between humans. Dutch National Ballet ranks alongside other prestigious international companies such as The Royal Ballet, Le Ballet de l'Opera Paris, and the Bolshoi Ballet. Hans van Manen and Toer van Schayk are both former resident choreographers of this company. In the interview with van Manen, the man described as one of the century's most influential choreographers talks about the Piano Variations and his idea in choreography. (Arthaus)