Koresh leaps forward by restoring its roots

In the field of modern dance, Philadelphia has no shortage of locally based world-class talent. Notable among that illustrious group is Koresh Dance Company, headed up by Israeli-born choreographer Ronen Koresh.

For its 2018 home season, the company will present the world premiere of two pieces choreographed by Koresh: Matters of the Heart and Inner Sun, running April 26 through 29. Composer John Levis (a University of the Arts graduate) collaborates with the choreographer alongside spoken-word artist/composer Karl Mullen, a Philly-based Ireland native.

Middle Eastern roots

Koresh, known for his inventively dynamic choreography, has produced two or three major works per year since 1983, but this time around he is trying something different, with experimentation to kick his artistic evolution to a new level. “With every new show you do, you expect to grow in terms of technique, of knowledge, of experience,” Koresh says. “But with this project, I felt a desire to go back to my roots in Middle Eastern folk dancing, to revisit that style with the advantage of years of experience and added knowledge.”

Koresh’s initial dance training came from his mother, a folk dancer in the Yemenite tradition. Additional Israeli teachers gave Koresh an extensive grounding in a variety of Middle Eastern styles, a grounding he is using to great effect with the new work.

Searching for the sound

This Middle Eastern style was also a challenge for Levis, who is providing the original score. “John and I worked for months, going back and forth.” Koresh admits that it took some time for Levis, whose background is in the Western symphonic tradition, to adapt to the choreographer’s demands. But Koresh’s faith in the composer’s skills was justified, with the delivery of a score drenched in Middle Eastern mood, mystery, and drama, evoking the rhythms of the ancient Middle East.

A March preview of the new works displayed not only samples of Levis’s compelling score but examples of how Koresh integrates his early Middle Eastern folk-dancing roots with the muscular, modern choreography he is more recently known for. While harkening back to the ancient rock and sands of Yemen, the excerpts felt fresh, new, and compelling.

The dance lover’s holiday

Koresh Dance spends a large portion of each year touring nationally, presenting only one regular season show locally. As such, fans of modern dance can consider this annual treat a holiday in April — not to be taken for granted.

And the closing performance on April 29 (doors at 6pm) features a Koresh Kouture post-show gala, with tastings courtesy of Yards and Philadelphia Distilling, hors-d'oeuvres, and fashion-design displays from the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator.

Koresh Dance Company will present the world premiere of Matters of the Heart and Inner Sun, choreographed by Ronen Koresh, April 26 through 29, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia). Performances on April 26 and 27 feature a post-show talkback with the artists. For tickets, call 215-751-0959 or visit online.