So the Gunnelpumpers went to the ballet this past weekend for the two performances that were the result of the Dutch National Ballet Project. We provided live music for the show, playing an overture, as well as music between dances while the lighting and costume changes were being made.

In preparation of the shows, I had recordings of all of the dance pieces and their sequence, and the goal was to provide transitions between pieces, avoiding the "dead air" that dance shows sometimes have. We put together a list of 15 or so musical ideas that were each numbered. I would call out the number that we would play next, in hopes of helping transitioning from the previous dance piece to the next. Sometimes we would play something that went with the dance pieces, other times it was fun to do something starkly contrasting.

The Chicago Sun Times reviewed the performance and said Gunnelpumpers provided "beguiling interlude riffs" for the show. It's kinda neat!

Doug J