Ludwig van Beethoven is not the composer that springs to mind when trawling the classics for a composition to accompany dance, but in "The Ninth Symphony" choreographed by Maurice Bejart, the doughty chords are given a vivid and fresh life with mid-century choreography.
Possibly the best-known piece of classical music in Japan, "Daiku," as the symphony is called, is performed ad infinitum, and possibly ad nauseum, every December in Japan in a national outpouring of classical extravagance. Beethoven first conducted the work May 7, 1824, so there may be some significance in the current tour of Bejart's dance piece by the Ballet de l'Opera National de Paris through May 9.
There is also the significance of the celebration of the promoting firm's 20 years in the business. The Paris company, which recently changed artistic director from Patrick Dupont to Brigitte Lefevre, is not dancing any other works on this short tour of Yokohama and Tokyo.