UMS Concert Program, March 24, 1979: A Festival Of Russian Dance -- Mikhail Godenko

Concert: Sixtieth
Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

THE UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
A Festival of Russian Dance
MIKHAIL GODENKO, Director
Saturday Evening, March 24, 1979, at 8:30 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM
Treshchetka
Treshchetka is the first and most simple form of Russian folk instruments made of wood. In this number, treshchetkas are used to accompany the khrovod, or round dance.
The Ensemble
Adjarian Dance, "Gandagan"
Kafkaz Ensemble Soloist: Laura Nalbandcian
Kuderushki
Based on a popular folk song about a girl for whom it is easier to make curls than to fetch water from the river.
The Krasnayarsk Dance Company of Siberia
Yunost
emonial dance. Tl reath will be the s
The Yunost Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
A ceremonial dance. The girls weave wreaths and throw them into the water. The youth that finds a wreath will be the suitor.
Udaltsi
The dance tells of the bold men raiting on the river Enise, considered a romantic profession. The stern Enise, with its harsh temper, has built the characters of these men, trained them to work and fight.
Men of the Ensemble
Ukolodtsa
Girls at the well is a popular motif. At the well they get together, share secrets, arrange meetings, and trade news.
Women of the Ensemble
Na Rybalke
A fisherman is happily daydreaming. After pulling in his empty line, he realizes he has indeed caught his "golden" fish--a beautiful girl.
Krasnavank Soloists: V. Borison and E. Vinogkadova
Centennial Season -Sixtieth Concert Special Concert
Klumpakoes
A village dance with wooden shoes, performed at folk festivals.
Lietuva Folk Song and Dance Ensemble
Lavonikha
The "L
integral part
join everyone to dance in a circle
Lavonikha
The "Lavonikha" is one of the most popular Byelorussian folk dances. Even today it is an integral part of wedding festivities. Its contagious sparkling temperament and whirlwind movements
The Ensemble
Northern Dance -Severny Tanets
Meusuri
This dance tells of a young mountain boy who wants to kidnap a girl who loves another. A fight begins as the rivals draw sabers. The girl throws a white kerchief to stop the young men. The mountain boy, according to tradition, congratulates his opponent and the girl is taken away in a wedding entourage.
Soloists: Laura and Vacen Nalbandgian, and Zauri Takhadze
Gopak
One of the most popular dances from the Ukraine, complete with all possible virtuosic jumps and turns. The mood of this dance is one of competition, each dancer trying to outdo the others.
The Ensemble
Finale
The Ensemble
INTERMISSION
Vdol Po Peterskoi
This is danced to a famous Kersson folk melody. The dashing men and lovely women stroll along Peterskaya Street.
The Ensemble
Uzbek Dance, "KalttaYiin"
This dance tells of the pearls of Uzbekistan, Fergana. There, cotton, fruits, silks, and the girls are all slender and proud.
The Bakhor State Folk Dance Ensemble:
M. Ercasteva, G. Dzhuraeva, G. Fazyldzhanova, U. Saidova
Accompanied by K. Dadev on "Doire"
Lebedushki
"On the river, the small river, the sun rises and the baby swans float by." These are the words of this folk song. The girls, in storylike costumes, move like swans on the smooth river. Two friends come to meet them, both in love with one beautiful girl. She makes her choice.
The Krasnoyarsk Dance Company Tropeita
A youth dance performed in the southern parts of Moldavia at folk festivals.
The Ensemble Na Mostochke
In May, the old city of Krasnayarsk when the snow began to melt, the streets were covered with streams of water. Small bridges were built, providing places for lovers to meet.
Soloist: L. Dzbak
Armenian Drums and Caucausas Mountain Dance
A virtuostic performance by seven Armenian drummers leads into this thrilling Caucausas dance which features the male dancers "en pointe."
The Kafkaz Dance Ensemble Vdol Po Ulitse
In the village, men and women gather after work. There they play their balalaikas and large "combs." The dance is in couplets. The girls trade humorous and romantic stories after which they invite the spectators to Krasnayarsk to eat "pelemeni," ravioli.
The Ensemble Finale
This dance combines the characteristic movements of all these national dances.
The Entire Ensemble
About the Artists
A Festival of Russian Dance is one of the concluding events of the Russian Arts Festival currently taking place on The University of Michigan campus. Performing on stage this evening are ninety dancers and musicians representing some of the finest folk ensembles from seven of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union: Byelorussia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Mikhail Godenko, gifted ballet master and artistic director of the Krasnayarsk Dance Company, is directing this company on its current 12wcek tour of the United States.
One of the youngest and most popular folk dance companies, the Krasnayarsk Dance Com?pany of Siberia won raves when it made its United States debut tour a few years ago. (The Company gave two performances in Ann Arbor in 1973.) The music and folk dance of Siberia has become the focus and pride of this company headed by Mikhail Godenko, who skillfully weaves throughout his dances themes from folk festivals, games, and social dancing. In addition to the United States, the Krasnayarsk has performed in Korea, Algeria, Yugoslavia, Germany, Peru, France, Guatemala, Venezuela, Czechoslovakia, and Panama.
The Byelorussian State Dance Ensemble was founded in 1959 by choreographer Alexander Opanasenko who, at that time, carefully selected his dancers at a special contest for amateur per?formers. Under his expert guidance they have since become virtuoso performers of folk dance, hailed all over the Soviet Union and on tours of Europe.
The Bakhor Dance Company was formed in Tashkent in 19SS. Its name, "Bakhor," means "spring" in the Uzbek language and the company begins each performance with a dance symbolizing spring, youth, and beauty. Mukarram Turgunbayeva, an outstanding performer of Uzbek folk and modern dances, is the company's founder and choreographer. She is responsible for the company's large repertoire which includes ancient Uzbek dances and modern dances created on traditional themes--in short, a blend of old and new.
The Lietuva Folk Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in 1940 by the outstanding musician, Jonas Svedas, with the purpose of preserving and popularizing the creative art of the Lithuanian people. Juozas Lingis has been the ensemble's chief choreographer for twentyfive years, creating over one hundred and fifty dances reflecting the life and customs of the people. In 1962 Vladas Bartusevicius became artistic director of the ensemble, which now includes a chorus, a dance group, and an orchestra of folk instruments.
The Yunost Dance Ensemble was founded in 1964 in the city of Lvov in the Ukraine. Yunost (which means youth) has performed throughout the Soviet Union and elsewhere with tremendous success. In 1967 it was awarded the title of Laureate of the International Folk Festival in Italy and in 1973 was named Laureate at the Fifth World Festival of Youth and Students in Berlin.
The Khora Moldavian Folk Dance Ensemble is named after one of the most popular of Moldavian folk dances, the Khora, which is also the name of the place, in the countryside where holidays are celebrated. This company of forty young men and women has been applauded in its homeland as well as in Italy, Switzerland, France, Bulgaria, and Japan. Its director, Ion Bazatin, is a leading authority on folklore and a brilliant choreographer.
The Kafkaz Dance Ensemble was formed in 1962 by dancerchoreographer, Vagen Nalbandgian, to preserve the Caucasian folk arts. In choosing the dancers for the ensemble, Mr. Nalbandgian not only looked for brilliant dance techniques but insisted that each be able to play at least one Caucasian folk instrument. They perform throughout the Soviet Union and have won wide acclaim on tours of the United States, England, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Alganistan, Brazil, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.
Benny Goodman
and The University Symphony Orchestra
GUSTAV MEIER, Conductor
Fifth Annual Benefit Concert and Reception Friday, March 30, at 8:30, in Hill Auditorium
Weber: "Euryanthe" Overture
Weber: Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 26
RimskyKorsakov: Capriccio espagnol
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Medley of Broadway Hits--Benny and the Orchestra
Following the concert there will be a festive reception to "Meet the Artists," held on the penthouse floor atop the new School of Dentistry Building. $25 includes a main floor seat for the concert and a reception ticket (of which $12 is taxdeductible). Concert tickets are $9, main floor; $8, first balcony; $7 and $5, second balcony.
Note: the performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's commissioned choral work, originally scheduled for this Benefit Concert, has been postponed in order to give the composer an extension of time to complete it for world premiere in our 19791980 season.
Commemorative Album
In celebration of one hundred years of great music at The University of Michigan is this limited edition, tworecord boxed set featuring two of the world's great conductors and the University Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in Hill Auditorium from the Benefit Concerts of 1976 and 1977 are Bartok's Divertimento for Strings conducted by Yehudi Menuhin, and Beethoven's Leonore Overture .o. 3 and Symphony 1X0. 5 conducted by Eugene Ormandy. The album is offered as a keepsake and collector's item for both personal collections and giftgiving, and will include a commemorative booklet of the history of music at The University of Michigan in the last century. The album may be ordered through May 1979 for delivery in early 1980; proceeds will be shared by the University Musical Society and School of Music Scholarship Fund. A reservation card may be obtained by calling 7642538 or 7646118.
Ann Arbor May Festival, 1979
The Philadelphia Orchestra and University Choral Union
Eugene Ormandy and Riccardo Muti, Conductors Alicia de Larrocha, Pianist Victoria de los Angeles, Soprano
Alma Jean Smith, Soprano Zurab Sotkilava, Tenor
Alexandrina Milcheva, Mezzo Soprano Martti Talvela, Bass
Monday, April 23--de Larrocha and de los Angeles, in recital.
Wednesday, April 25--Ormandy and de los Angeles: Hindemith: "Mathis der Maler"; Ravel: Sheherazade"; Prokofiev: Scythian Suite; Mozart: "Voi che sapete" from Marriage of Figaro; Rossini: "Una vocc poco fa" from Barber of Seville; Wagner: "Dich teure Halle" from Tannhduser.
Thursday, April 26--Muti: Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5.
Friday, April 27--Muti and Larrocha, AllBeethoven: Symphony No. 6; Piano Concerto No. 3; Overture to Leonore No. 3.
Saturday, April 28--Ormandy, Choral Union, Soloists: Verdi: "Manzoni" Requiem.
Single tickets now on sale.
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
Burton Memorial Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Phones: 6653717, 7642538