BAM Presents the New York City Premiere of Pam Tanowitz’s Breathtaking “Four Quartets”

BAM Presents the New York City Premiere of Pam Tanowitz’s Breathtaking “Four Quartets”

After much anticipation following its critically acclaimed 2018 world premiere at the Fisher Center at Bard, Four Quartets will be presented at BAM from Feb 10—12. Along with a score by the renowned Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho played live by The Knights, and iconic painter Brice Marden, choreographer Pam Tanowitz creates a glorious and thrilling performance inspired by T.S. Eliot’s beautiful and mysterious meditation, Four Quartets.

These haunting and evocative poems emerged in 1943 from the chaos of World War II as hopeful testaments to the redemptive power of spirituality, art, and human goodness in the darkest of times. Tony Award–nominated Kathleen Chalfant performs Eliot’s text live on stage with the dancers who effortlessly elevate contrasts in dynamics, space, and form by pivoting large ensemble works with transcendent duets and riveting solos.

The piece features dancers Kara Chan, Jason Collins, Dylan Crossman, Christine Flores, Zachary Gonder, Lindsey Jones, Victor Lozan, Maile Okamura, and Melissa Toogood.

The New York Times raves about Pam Tanowitz’s Four Quartets: “The most sublime dance-theater creation this century: a dance for the soul…a spiritual journey.”

Pam Tanowitz is known for her deconstructed classical and modern dance, both familiar and entirely brand-new. Since its founding in 2000, Pam Tanowitz Dance company has performed acclaimed work at venues including Fisher Center at Bard’s SummerScape Festival, Barbican London, Jacob’s Pillow, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

The work is deeply rooted in formal structures, manipulated and abstracted by Tanowitz until the viewer sees through to the heart of the dance. The juxtapositions and tensions that Tanowitz creates draw upon the virtuosic skill, musical dexterity, and artistic integrity of the PTD dancers.

Four Quartets is a Fisher Center at Bard production, co-commissioned with major support from Rebecca Gold, UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance, Barbican London and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Gagosian is the lead corporate sponsor of Four Quartets on tour.

Performances of Pam Tanowitz’s Four Quartets will take place February 10-12, 7:30 pm at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn. Tickets start at $25. Visit www.bam.org/four-quartets for more information.