Mark Morris Dance Group, Seattle Symphony Storm the Paramount

Jesu, Meine Freude. Photo by Nan Melville

Mark Morris Dance Group has swept into town to perform a three-show series this weekend at the Paramount Theater. This is the third annual collaboration between MMDG and the Seattle Symphony; this year the program features Haydn's Horn Concerto No. 2 in D major, A Lake; Bach's Jesu, Meine Freude; and Vivaldi's Gloria. The Tudor Choir, helmed by Doug Fullington, will join the symphony during Jesu, Meine Freude and Gloria.

Mark Morris will be guest-conducting Vivaldi Gloria in D, which he admits has helped to “keep him interested in it,” as the much-loved Gloria has been performed regularly since entering Morris’ repertory in 1981. Listen to Morris talk with Doug Fullington here about the difficulties of conducting and the origins of Gloria (starting at 11:40) and Jesu, Meine Freude (18:15).

Although Morris once said, “I would rather see something legitimate instead of pretty. Pretty isn’t pretty to me”, expect this program to have plenty of both - with its soaring Baroque music, unaccompanied choral arrangements and pieces fueled by some of the country’s best modern dancers. Morris’ choreography is renowned for its weight and texture, its patterning, and above all, its derivation from the power and structure of the music.

The MMDG has also teamed with the Seattle Theatre Group for its annual community education and outreach program while in Seattle, including a series of Master Classes open to the public, brief dance residencies at select middle schools and a Dance for Parkinson’s Class at Evergreen Hospital.

May 21-23, Friday & Sat, 8:00 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. // Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine Street // $37-75, tickets here.