An intense, elemental work set to the music of one of Russia's leading contemporary composers, Airflow explores the search for light and salvation amidst an icy darkness.

At times savagely ritualistic, at times desperately tender, the dance is accompanied live by the solo accordion of Pasi Hirvonen, who conjures up chorale-like walls of sound and ghostly soundscapes reminiscent of the howling wind.

"In this work, the movement is perfectly integrated with the music... Kuisma and Freundlich form a harmonius dance partnership, with moods and emotions reflecting on their faces with great sensitivity. Their movement is a beautifully fluid articulation of the body, and their work together is seamless... As a visual whole, Airflow is finely realized in its details."
- Merja Koskiniemi, Aamulehti, Tampere, Finland, April 22nd, 2006

"The talented Mr. Freundlich is clearly a storyteller, telling in this performance the age-old story of a man and woman... one person covering the other's eyes, and the other gagging the other's mouth. Yet still they were united, by the breath that echoed in the bellows of the accordion."
-Jussi Tossavainen, Helsingin Sanomat, Helsinki, Finland, November 8th, 2005

Music: Sofia Gubaidulina

Music performed by Pasi Hirvonen, accordion

Costumes and stage design: Lucie Kuropatová

Premiere at Ateneum auditorium, Helsinki, Finland, November 6th, 2005

20 minutes

2 dancers

Thomas Freundlich and Tanja Kuisma (Photo: Lucie Kuropatová)