Sasha Waltz’s Beethoven 7 originated from a 2021 performance filmed in Greece, where dancers from her company performed in the ruins of Delphi, accompanied by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. The haunting image of the dancers in the ancient temple, juxtaposed with the backdrop of the symphony, inspired Waltz to create a full stage production.
The piece explores themes of utopia, lost ideals, and disillusionment. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, composed during a time of personal and political turmoil, reflects the composer’s struggles, particularly his encroaching deafness. In this work, Waltz pairs Beethoven’s music with Freiheit/Extasis (Freedom/Ecstasy), an electronic composition by Chilean composer Diego Noguera, which delves into the challenging quest for individual freedom in relation to society.
