Generations of music fans count it among their favourites: The Köln Concert by US American jazz pianist Keith Jarrett. And the voice of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, who turns 80 this year in November, continues to be a celebration of emotions. Four of her songs, including My Old Man and Both Sides Now, serve as an introduction to Trajal Harrell’s sensitive dance piece The Köln Concert. Jarrett is “my composer” because “my work develops further through the encounter with his body of work”, the choreographer reveals. Harrell, who is originally from Douglas, Georgia – has been director of his own company at the Schauspielhaus Zürich since 2020. “Working on your own company takes time”, Harrell says. You need to “find out where you stand, your potential, and what your impact on the world might be”. The Köln Concert is the company’s first piece, allowing seven individuals to unfold their true greatness in front of the audience by way of dance inspired by Butoh and Voguing.
Staging, choreography, set, soundtrack & costumes: Trajal Harrell
With: New Kyd, Maria Ferreira Silva, Trajal Harrell, Nojan Bodas Mair, Stephen Thompson, Songhay Toldon, Ondrej Vidlar
Music: Keith Jarrett, Joni Mitchell
Light: Sylvain Rausa
Dramaturgy: Katinka Deecke
Audience development: Mathis Neuhaus
Theatre pedagogy: Manuela Runge
Production assistant: Camille Roduit, Maja Renn
Set design assistant: Ann-Kathrin Bernstetter, Natascha Leonie Simons
Costume assistant: Ulf Brauner, Miriam Schliehe
Stage manager: Michael Durrer
Production intern: Moritz Lienhard
Set design intern: Reina Guyer
Touring management and international relations: Björn Pätz, ART HAPPENS
Production: Schauspielhaus Zürich