Mark Morris Dance Group to Perform at Austin's Bass Concert Hall, 9/26-27

For over 30 years, the Brooklyn-based Mark Morris Dance Group has enthralled critics, dance enthusiasts, and novices alike with its amazing technical expertise, unique artistry, and its signature use of live music. Pianists Anton Nel and Colin Fowler, and progressive New York orchestra The Knights join MMDG for two performances of Morris' celebrated evening-length piece Mozart Dances.

Proclaimed "one of the greatest living choreographers" by The New Yorker, Mark Morris has had a profound impact on the dance world ever since he burst onto the scene in 1980, and continues to create important new works with a singular ability to combine beautiful music, graceful movement, and delicious wit. Set to two Mozart piano concertos and the double piano sonata, and danced against a backdrop of visuals by British painter Howard Hodgkin, UK's The Guardian called Mozart Dances "one of the most definitive personal statements of Morris' career." John Rockwell of The New York Times proclaimed, "After only a first viewing, I feel safe in pronouncing it a masterpiece, a triumph...and one of Mr. Morris' greatest achievements."

Pianist and musical director Colin Fowler has performed and recorded with numerous soloists and ensembles including Deborah Voigt, the American Brass Quintet, James Galway, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Distinguished Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the Butler School of Music, world-renowned pianist Anton Nel has performed throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and South Africa since his debut at age 12 with Beethoven's C major Concerto after only two years of study.

The Knights are an ensemble of adventurous musicians who cultivate collaborative music making and creatively engage audiences in the shared joy of musical performance. Their unique roster includes composers, arrangers, singer-songwriters, and improvisers who bring a range of cultural influences to the group including jazz, klezmer, pop, and indie rock music.

The performances will take place on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, 2013, 8:00 pm -Texas Performing Arts at The University of Texas at Austin presents Mark Morris Dance Group at Bass Concert Hall (2350 East Campus Dr.) A map of the campus: texasperformingarts.org/visit/maps_directions. Tickets ($36 - $42 / Limited $10 student tickets / discounted tickets available for UT faculty & staff, seniors and Military) are on sale now at authorized ticket outlets, which include the Bass Concert Hall Ticket Office and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at TexasPerformingArts.org, or by calling (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO.

Campus & Community Engagement Events:

Post-Performance Talkback
• Thursday, September 26, immediately following the performance
• Bass Concert Hall

Pre-Performance Lecture
• Friday, September 27, 7:00 pm
• Bass Concert Hall

Holly Williams, Professor, Department of Theatre and Dance, heads the dance program. As a noted choreographer, numerous companies have commissioned her work. Williams has performed nationally and internationally with companies including Mark Morris Dance Group.

For more information on this performance, visit: http://texasperformingarts.org/season/mark-morris-dance-group-austin.

Pictured: The Mostly Mozart Festival presents the Mark Morris Dance Group performing "Mozart Dances" in a World Premiere with Louis Langree conductor of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra and Emanuel Ax on Piano, at the New York State Theater on August 16, 2006. This dance is: "Eleven" - Credit: ©Stephanie Berger.