From the Choreographer - Ma Cong —

What is your creative vision for In the Best Moments?

My vision is to capture the most loving and touching moments in one’s life by exploring three different snapshots of three different places at three different time periods. I have approached each of the three sections with a different feeling, incorporating different uses of motion and touch. In doing so, I aim to provide audiences with the space to construct their own meaning of the piece by reflecting on their own life experiences. They may read the work as three different couples or the same couple; in the context of a seaside or the most beautiful garden or park; during the past, present and future, or perhaps during three different periods of time in one’s memory.

How has Philip Glass’ The Hours Suite inspired your choreography? 

The music is very powerful — it has an overwhelming effect on my body, mind and imagination — a magical piece that makes my heart sing. The sheer force of the music creates clear imagery of passionate and intimate pas de deux movement, complemented by ensemble movement. I wanted to create a visual embodiment of the music on stage, and the Queensland Ballet dancers created that beautifully.

How have you conveyed human relationships in your piece?

Each time I listened to the music, it invoked different emotions in me such as love, longing, pleasure, passion, desire and sorrow. I wanted to recreate and convey these emotions in the three pas de deux, and in doing so, highlight the most powerful moments in the music.