Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet

A A A Comments (0) By Ann Haskins Wednesday, Jun 14 2006

Photo by Tim Agler

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L.A. doesn’t see as much as it should of Rogers and his extraordinary dancers. The L.A.-based troupe’s tours of London and New York consistently draw critical praise for Rogers’ evocative, minimalist choreography as well as the artistry of his dancers, who blend polished ballet training with a modern-dance aesthetic often reminiscent of Jirí Kylián’s Nederlands Dans Theater. L.A. gets first peek at RRMD’s latest before the company heads again to New York City later this month for performances at the new Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater. Rogers’ new Sonata No. 2 draws on Martinu’s Sonata No. 2 for Cello and Piano while Transcription employs Busoni’s piano transcription of Bach’s Chaconne in D minor for the dancers’ movement while a video backdrop replicates the sensation of being in a car traveling through the spectrum of neighborhoods that comprise this city. The program also encores Concertante, set to Frank Martin’s 1944 Petite Symphonie Concertante. See them now or book a flight to New York. Cal State L.A., Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Dr.; Sat., June 17, 8 p.m.; $40-$30. (323) 343-6600 or www.ticketmaster.com.

—Ann Haskins