TERO SAARINEN COMPANY | BREATH

A one man history of dance! Finnish choreographer Tero Saarinen’s creations and joint projects constitute an ongoing investigation of the body in its many and various states. Breath provides yet more evidence of his choreographic genius. Dance as breath of life.

Tero Saarinen’s career path is impressive. Dancer with the Finnish National Ballet, choreographer of some 40 works, he has taught at and worked with some of the world’s leading dance companies, from Batsheva Dance Company to the Lyon Opera Ballet. The artist who captivated audiences with HUNT, his solo on Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, has now created a duo, Breath, with accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen, a dialogue between dance and music in a magnificent visual setting designed by Mikki Kunttu.

“Dance is my attempt to understand human nature and its multiple manifestations”, says Saarinen. “I believe in dance that touches, in dance that speaks for itself.” Breath has something of the absurdist humour of Samuel Beckett, who wrote, “Dance first and think afterwards? […] It’s the natural order.” Saarinen appropriates Beckett’s words and expresses them through his characteristically generous physical vocabulary. An inspiring and invigorating Breath from a northern land.