Context
Hand ballet for Tokyo Olympics Closing Ceremony
French singer-songwriter Yoann Lemoine (also known as Woodkid) and choreographer Sadeck Waff collaborated to create a stunning performance to round off the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The hand ballet features 128 performers in wheelchairs, a mix of both amateurs and professionals, and opens with the first person who received a bionic arm in France: Oxandre Pecku.
Listen & Watch For
We recommend watching the video in full screen mode.
- Percussion followed by female vocals and strings open the piece and build as the camera pans out to the dancers.
- The constant underlying rhythmic pattern gives drive and momentum to the music.
- At 01:16 there is a sudden break in the music, perfectly timed with a momentary stop in the movement.
- The brass play a powerful melodic idea as the dancers slowly bring their arms down.
- A new percussion passage punctuated by vocal shouts and repeated piano note accompanies the visually stunning hand and arm movements rippling through the group.
- What happens in the music and movement of the director at 01:52?
- How does the change of instrumentation mirror the movements from 01:54?
- What two things are spelt out from 02:18?
Overall, think about how a positive atmosphere and energising mood were created in this performance.
Things To Consider
- Does this piece change how you think about dance and choreography? In what way?
- Think about how you could compose music to move to – how can the music enhance the movements and vice versa?