Choreographic Works (2002-03)

	Dreams of a Dancer second version music: Tomas Svoboda, duration: 15'00", premiere 2003 independent production Dreams of a Dancer premiered at PSU Lincoln Hall Oct 15th (4 female dancers and 3 musiciens) Nearly always working from inside the music (with printed score), in this piece Agnieszka Laska goes even deeper, to the composer's extra-musical vision. Svoboda saw a solitary dancer, but Laska chose to render the four inner movements as solos, each for a different dancer, and the two outer movements for the ensemble. This is also interpretive of the Dreams of a Dancer CD cover print, executed by Jana Demartini, which superimposes multiple images of a dancer. Another unifying element is Svoboda's use of Czech (Slavic) folk flavors, shared extensively by Laska's neighboring native Polish culture and reflected in her choreographic interpretation of the score. She also inserts into the work several subtle quotes from the famous Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian.
	Diameter IX music: Jackie T. Gabel, duration: 4'30", premiere 2003 independent production Dreams of a Dancer premiered at PSU Lincoln Hall Oct 15th (1 female and 1 male dancer) In this piece, Agnieszka Laska draws from Jack Gabel's modernist score (duet for flute and five tom-tom drums, premiered in 1987 by Robert Jr. and Marilyn Shotola). The intrinsically primitive instrumental pairing suggests a similar creative approach, though neither the music nor the choreography really goes native, but is, rather, a provocative counterpoint of forces in a modernist language.
	Winter Solstice music: Jan Malek , duration: 10'00", premiere 2003 independent production Dreams of a Dancer premiered at PSU Lincoln Hall Oct 15th (about 20 dancers, 1 actor, 1 child) This work is as much theatre as dance. The score was commissioned from Czech composer Jan Malek for Trio Spektrum's Music from Bohemia CD. The dark timbres of the clarinet set the mood for a meditative single movement in three sections: slow chorale, fast neo-renaissance dance and return to a slow majestic dialogue. The story Laska tells through layers of murky intimation and deep emotion (eloquently portrayed by Dana Loewen) is of male manipulation, domination, abuse and finally reprieve “ from the perspective of a woman raised in a society where only in the last year did the first-ever allegation of workplace sexual harassment finally make it into a court of law. The story is both intensely personal and broadly social.
	Folk Dance music: Tomas Svoboda, duration: 3'30", premiere 2003 independent production Dreams of a Dancer premiered at PSU Lincoln Hall Oct 15th (1 female & 6 male dancers + 1 clarinetist) A clarinet solo, is a farewell gesture to the old Moravian Folk Festival in Straznice. The light, happy, dance recalls the music shared among Moravian artists. It's dedicated to Svoboda's friend, clarinetist Josef Krcek of the renowned ensemble, Musica Bohemica. Agnieszka Laska enlists the Polish folk troupe Sobotka for a light - not entirely authentic - folksy interpretation, but in keeping with the score.
	Voices & Echos music: Jackie T. Gabel, duration: 19'00", premiere 2003 independent production Dreams of a Dancer premiered at PSU Lincoln Hall Oct 15th (11 female, 2 male dancers) A new score from Jack Gabel (a commission from Trio Spektrum), the music is in a compressed classical form, cycling, through three movements, strikingly varied permutations of a single thematic idea, with an interlude solo for each member of the ensemble, which echoes and extends the previous movement, while setting the stage for the next. Throughout the work, dancers are deployed in various combinations with distinctive solos illuminating the score's architectonic structure, also coordinated by Ela Kwasek's costume design. Elements from each movement converge in a dynamic fourth movement finale - a tight responsive routine brings together the entire roster of dancers in a telescopic recapitulation.
	Somewhere Suite music: Jackie T. Gabel, duration: 14'30", premiere 2003 independent production for the Dog Star CD release (3 female dancers) Somewhere Suite is a set of three works for a trio of female dancers set to an electracoustic score by Jack Gabel. Originally scored with dancers in mind, it received only marginal choreographic treatments until Agnieszka Laska tackled the full set for Gabel's 2003 Dog Star CD release event on which the suite comprises the opening tracks. The works bright costuming, lighting and lyrical gestures accompany the music beautifully. Through intricate partnering, which leads into and out of graceful solos, the trio render a tight interpretation of the score in choreography artfully balanced between geometric abstraction and emotional lyricism, fitting the music perfectly.
	Through a gentle rain music: Jackie T. Gabel, duration: 7', premiere 2003 independent production for the Dog Star CD release (3 female dancers) Through a Gentle Rain was also premiered at composer Jack Gabel's Dog Star CD release. Though not part of the Dog Star CD, it complemented the program admirably. The score for koto and flutes is choreographed primarily for a solo female dancer with peripheral commentary by two additional female dancers, all costumed in traditional Japanese kimono. The soloist makes an emotional, yet simple and elegant statement with and around a solitary stage prop (a vase of cherry blossoms), and through the parenthetical interaction with the other dancers who enter from behind a traditional Asian screen, the work successfully incorporates subtle cultural references and graceful gestures.
	A pretty girl is like a klangfarbenmelodie music: Richard Freeman-Toole, duration: 14', premiere 2003 independent production for the Dog Star CD release (1 musician & 5 female dancers) A Pretty Girl Like a Klangfarbenmelodie by Richard Freeman Toole, is a virtuosic tour de force for the author/performer, as he circles the stage reciting his title poem, referencing his past and present wives and lovers, interleaved with references to Yeats, Tomas Mann and Leonardo amidst an undulating commentary from violin, viola and piano. The dancers in turns take on the roles of the women upon whom the poet reflects while carrying out the utilitarian function of delivering and taking away the violin or viola at just on time. All this they carry out between increasingly emotionally charged solos and competitive duets (when appropriate), intensely personifying Freeman-Toole's deeply personal work. It's an intricate juggling of characters and emotions that enhances the score immeasurably.
	Dreams of a Dancer music: Tomas Svoboda, duration: 13', premiere 2002 independent production for the Dance Coalition of Oregon Benefit (2 female dancers) Music of Tomas Svoboda with the ensemble Trio Spektrum was composed, clearly with a view to the dance stage. Agnieszka Laska choreographed three of the work's six movements for two female dancers, which premiered at the Dance Coalition of Oregon's 2002 Blue Sky Concert Series. The work's expressions range from tender and contemplative to comical and include folkloric gestures in keeping with the music. The work is scheduled for completion and premiere with Trio Spektrum in live performance in the Fall of 2003 in Portland, Oregon.