Mythologies (ballet) explained

Italic Title:Mythologies
Mythologies
Composer:Thomas Bangalter
Choreographer:Angelin Preljocaj
Premiere:1 July 2022
Place:Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux
Ballet Company:Ballet Preljocaj & Ballet de l'Opéra de Bordeaux
Designer:Adrien Chalgard
Type:Classical ballet

Mythologies is a 2022 ballet created by the French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj and composer Thomas Bangalter. The ballet focuses on scenes stemming from human mythologies and features original orchestral compositions from Bangalter.

Conception

The ballet started as a collaboration between the Ballet Preljocaj and Ballet de l'Opéra de Bordeaux. Another ballet, Ghost, was created by the two companies in 2018. Mythologies uses ten participating dancers from each ballet.[1]

In late 2019, Preljocaj approached Bangalter about composing a ballet suite with a full orchestra. Bangalter had previously hoped to compose classical music in such a setting, so a collaboration begun between the two that resulted in what would become the opera.[2]

Synopsis

Mythologies, led by twenty dancers, connects ancient and modern myths. The ballet focuses on "contemporary rituals" and revolves around twenty-three scenes inspired by "founding myths that shape the collective imagination".[3]

Music

Mythologies
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Thomas Bangalter
Cover:Thomas Bangalter Mythologies.jpg
Released:7 April 2023
Recorded:11–13 July 2022
Genre:Classical, orchestral
Length:89:02
Label:Erato
Producer:Thomas Bangalter
Prev Title:Outrage
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Daaaaaalí!
Next Year:2024

The music to the ballet was composed by Thomas Bangalter, formerly of Daft Punk.

Unlike the work of the duo and of Bangalter in earlier previous solo efforts, the album is not electronic and is entirely orchestral, focusing on Baroque music and American minimalism. Preljocaj initially suggested the idea of Bangalter using electronic elements with symphonic music, similar to Bangalter's previous work as part of Daft Punk for the film Tron: Legacy. However, Bangalter expressed the desire to write a fully orchestral score in order to have a more unique experience. Bangalter studied and read classic treatises on orchestration and abandoned writing with the keyboard, how he normally wrote compositions with Daft Punk, to avoid limitations in composing.[4]

The 90-minute composition was released as an album of the same name in April 2023 on vinyl, CD, and streaming services. Bangalter was unsure whether he would release the project as an album when writing, but he decided to when he and Preljocaj were very satisfied with the result.[5] It is the first solo project from either Bangalter or Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo following their split and the first full-length album involving either member in a decade.[6] Bangalter gave interviews about the project and allowed himself to be photographed without a mask. The press release of the album included a drawing of Bangalter's unmasked face by Vulture Magazine illustrator Stéphane Manel.[7] The album was preceded by three singles.[8] [9]

Personnel

Technical

Charts

Reception

Critical reception of Mythologies has varied. Some critics praised the music and choreography of the show, and other critics were more critical of the general concept of the ballet. Lucile Commeaux of Radio France expressed ambivalence, criticizing the ballet, both conceptually and musically, as being without a clear purpose.[10] Philippe Noisette of Les Echos, while calling some of the choreography uninspired, wrote more positively of the ballet, calling it ambitious and praising the compositions of Bangalter while simultaneously warning that fans of Daft Punk may be disappointed.[11] Pétra Wauters writing for the French arts and culture magazine Wukali called Bangalter's compositions "brilliant" and talked of Preljocaj's choice of uncomfortable themes.[12] Marianne Leroux of France Info called the show a spectacle and wrote of Preljocaj's ability to reinvent himself.[13] Jane Bua of Pitchfork, reviewing Bangalter's soundtrack album, spoke positively of his compositions, saying it "sounds like the work of an artist stepping out of his comfort zone in search of personal creative fulfillment."[14] David Mouriquand, reviewing the album for Euronews, said "had this album not had the ‘Former Daft Punk member’ stamp on it, many would be trumpeting it unreservedly as a minor masterpiece," calling the work as a whole "sublime."[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mythologies . 2023-01-31 . Preljocaj . en-US.
  2. Blistein . Jon . 2023-01-24 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter to Release Ballet Score 'Mythologies' as First Solo Album . 2023-01-31 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2021-07-31 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter to Score New Ballet Mythologies . 2023-01-31 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  4. News: Woolfe . Zachary . 2023-04-03 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter Reveals Himself: As a Composer . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-03 . 0362-4331.
  5. Web site: 2023-04-07 . Thomas Bangalter est l'invité d'Affaires Culturelles . 2023-04-08 . France Culture . fr.
  6. Web site: 2023-01-30 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter Shares New Song "L'Accouchement" . 2023-01-31 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  7. Web site: Aswad . Jem . 2023-01-30 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter Drops First Track From New Solo Album . 2023-01-31 . Variety . en-US.
  8. Web site: Anderson . Carys . 2023-02-26 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter shares new song "Le Minotaure" . 2023-03-17 . Consequence . en-US.
  9. Web site: Thomas Bangalter signs agreement with Boosey & Hawkes . 2023-03-20 . www.boosey.com.
  10. Web site: 2022-10-24 . Critique danse : le spectacle "Mythologies" d'Angelin Preljocaj et Thomas Bangalter . 2023-02-09 . France Culture . fr.
  11. Web site: 2022-07-06 . Les nouvelles mythologies d'Angelin Preljocaj . 2023-02-09 . Les Echos . fr.
  12. Web site: Wauters . Pétra . 2022-10-11 . Mythologies la dernière création d'Angelin Preljocaj . 2023-02-09 . Wukali . fr-FR.
  13. Web site: 2022-10-27 . Danse : Angelin Preljocaj et Thomas Bangalter revisitent les "Mythologies" pour apporter un regard critique sur notre époque . 2023-02-09 . Franceinfo . fr-FR.
  14. Web site: Bua . Jane . Thomas Bangalter: Mythologies . 2023-04-11 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  15. Web site: Mouriquand . David . 2023-04-11 . Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter goes classic for first solo album . 2023-04-11 . euronews . en.