Stay On It

about the piece

J. Eastman’s composition ‘Stay on It’ was composed in 1973. Eastman was one of the few African-American composers of this era. This, combined with the fact that he lived his homosexuality openly, made him an outsider in the art scene of the time. Homeless and impoverished, Eastman died young and was largely forgotten. Only in recent years have some of his pieces been reconstructed, leading to a rediscovery of this composer. The call to ‘Stay on It’ therefore seems to have an almost prophetic character. Eastman was not only a musician but also a dancer and choreographer. The influence of his dance experiences can also be clearly felt in a piece like ‘Stay on It.’ It is ‘dancers’ music’ in the best sense of the word. Nevertheless, there are hardly any choreographic interpretations of his pieces.

Like few other pieces, ‘Stay on It’ articulates the need to ‘persevere,’ to devote oneself fully to something, even if there are difficulties to overcome. Eastman uses a musical motif which, in its catchiness, would certainly have hit potential, only to transform it into an atonal resolution after a while. In this way, he maintains a balance between a positive outlook and the difficulties that often arise in personal development.

The dancers were asked to emphasize the part of their dance that, for them, is most indicative of an important aspect of their lives.

videos

credits

Concept: Christoph Winkler | Music: Zafraan Ensemble - Flute: Liam Mallett - Saxophone: Martin Posegga - Clarinet: Miguel Pérez Iñesta - Vibraphone: Julius Heise - Piano: Clemens Hund-Göschel - Violine: Emmanuelle Bernard - Viola: Josa Gerhard - Violoncello: Martin Smith | Composition: Julius Eastman | By and with: Oluwafemi Israel Adebajo, Lisa Rykena, Aloalii Tapu, Ridwan Rasheed, Raha Nejad, Sophie Prins, Andromeda Gervásio | Costume: Marie Akoury | Technical management: Fabian Eichner | Soundmix: Björn Stegmann | Production management: Laura Biagioni

A production by Company Christoph Winkler in co-production with SOPHIENSÆLE.
Supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe and the Federal Cultural Foundation with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.