There is no need for an updated version. .These dancers were chosen by Mr. AILEY. ..It represents his coaching. .the dynamics he looked for and the passion that is clearly marked in his work. The new dancers although young and versatile were chosen with other eyes...so yes the versions are like night and day but I prefer to say like original and copied. ...THIS IS THE VERSION OF MR. AILEY. .NOT OF MRS. JAMISON WHO PREFERS GYMNASTS. ....
Robert Battle took over in 2011 - and also every dancers brings their own contribution to inform their movement, so every version is going to be different.
julius brewster no two dancers dance the same. It's going to be different every year... but to say that Judith prefers gymnasts is so wrong. Just because the newer dancers have more trained technique does not make them gymnasts. It's a new age and dance is always evolving.
Just to contribute to what other people have said in the thread: While there not be a need for *any* updated version of any performance/dance from an objective standpoint, I'd say that Revelations + Sinnerman is something that has evolved and improved over time -- and I'm much happier for it. This recording is definitely raw and inspiring, given it shows the dance at it's origins. But it's only the start to a legacy -- not it's full potential. As someone who has been lucky enough to see five different versions of this Sinnerman -- 3 recorded and on youtube, 2 in actual performances that I attended -- each performance is special, and each dancer/trio gets to portray the work in a unique way. My favorite experience of watching Sinnerman was my most recent live performance by the Ailey company, a couple of years back. The dancers were phenomenal and incredibly in-sync. During that performance, it was no doubt my favorite part of watching Revelations (and that's not usually the case, given how short and compact the dance is compared to the other pieces). This is saying something, because my former favorite was the performance was the one from So You Think You Can Dance, which is absolutely incredible and a fantastic performance (I actually got to meet + have a master class with one of the dancers from that recording a few years later). Not only was that version of Sinnerman one that I could revisit and learn the choreography through osmosis (after watching my first viewing with Ailey II), I would also say that the trio there carried the energy from Revelations, even though the other parts weren't performed. Considering the emotional build the entirety of Revelations has, it's pretty brilliant that the dancers were able to do that in a completely different setting. This performance, for me, doesn't compare to either of the above. It is, no doubt, awe-inspiring, frenetic, and enjoyable; but the dancers made some very evident mistakes. This is not me bashing them -- the choreography is very, very difficult after all -- but what "updated" versions of dances like this give us is refinement of the choreography, refinement of the teaching process, and newer interpretations of the choreography by the dancers (not to mention ways in which dancers can master the choreography and *timing*, so that the lateral Ts become cleaner, or so that the pirouettes from the second and third solos can have more turns). I think that time, like this, improves the overall performance. Sure, there's a departure from the original methodology behind the piece -- new performances dont have that same raw energy of a masterpiece newly created. But the passion for the dance and the movement... that definitely lives on.
Saw the AADC performance this over 20 yrs ago when I was in high school and a guy in my dance class performed this as a solo for our Senior talent show in '93! A mesmerizing performance!!!
My AS dance class is doing this as part of our AS/BTEC course, the exact rep. I haven't even learnt the solo bits yet, but it's knakering, have so much respect for Ailey's dancers.
This sounds like John Raitt singing. I love this version of the song. Also this was the first version of Revelations that I ever saw so it’s always been my favorite.
That is so funny you mention this because each performer had fantastic moves that as a viewer I kept saying. Wow, the next guy can't be better, and he was, of course, in my opinion.. I really liked the 2nd guy but they all came with it. haha
He has better technique, but he was chosen specifically to represent who there are aspects of performance that can't be taught. He is doing the choreography correctly but he doesn't display emotion like the other two dancers.
it's a real shame the company does not sell authorized videos. most of what is on youtube is such poor production/video quality compared to live that it's a sin (pun intended)
Does anyone know who's singing or who arranged this version of "O Sinner Man"? It's just the best ever, and I've never seen them credited, even though I've got the old video taped from (I think) Danc in America. What a choreographic tour de force, though!
saw it live again this year (and every year since 1988) and they need a new recording of this! this is like amateur night considering the level at which even the current dancers perform. even the singing is bad. the current sound track puts this one to shame. bad, bad bad.
I came to watch this again after viewing Jason Brown's short program in the U S National Figure Skating championship. I thought he was fabulous, but they did not use this musical version of "Sinnerman". So, I had to come by and visit again. I have seen this piece over 100 times, nine times live. As a dance professional, this is in my top three (other two, parking garage scene in West Side story by Jerome Robbins and dance of the four swans in Swan Lake by Marius Petipa).
its interesting that you focus on how "perfect" it is performed, when you should analyse the reasoning behind why they have chosen these dances routines, songs and costumes. But nope... bringing negativity to something still beautiful as an elite perfectionist that you are. I certainly do not care about how wonderful something is executed or how well the singers stay in tune, together, these three men are performing a dance of great history, open your eyes.
the soul of the dance and power was somewhat lost for me when the white guy started dancing. now don't get me wrong he was great but this type of dance I feel needs more than just technique. .. however WOW!!!!!! Awesome to see the men dancing! amazing work!
I'm not referencing physical ability. The foundations upon which the Ailey company was built were extremely and intentionally race-conscious, thus the fact that the white man is highlighted in this excerpt is, for obvious reasons, extremely probelematic.
I went to the Ailey school for a semester of training Alvin Ailey wanted this this is one of the oldest versions and casts of this dance Alvin Ailey was still Alive and this was his intention it’s not problematic it’s art
