Christie Partelow


SAUDADES was created in times of social distancing, due to the Covid-19 pandemia. 'Saudade' is Portuguese for a nostalgic longing to be near again to something or someone that is at distant, or that has been loved and then lost; “the love that remains”. Recently many of us have experienced some form of isolation. Due to the Covid-19 pandemia, we were forced to keep our distance from one another. The longing for human contact remains, even when circumstances prevent this.

choreography: Wubkje Kuindersma
dancer: Christie Lou Partelow
music: Anthony Fiumara ('Sad Light')
film & edit: Ennya Larmit
produced by: Korzo

Tamashii with Wubkje Kuindersma

I recently made music for the dance production Tamashii, by choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma—to be performed in several times in november in Korzo, The Hague. The violoncello plays an important role in the music. I was happy to record it with Diederik Smulders.

Wubkje and I worked simultaneously. I basically composed in the dance studio, while Wubkje was creating her choreography for the dancers Aya Misaki and Christie Partelow. That was a wonderful experience.

Kuindersma about the choreography: "Tamashii is Japanese for soul or spirit. Inspiration for this choreography is the idea of fragmented identity, with the soul as unifying element.

For the choreography I played with the thought of the soul as activity of the body. I like the idea that the soul speaks through dance, possibly as a guide, a guardian angel, or simply a thought or a whisper—thus connecting the two dancers together.

Anthony Fiumara made a completely new score for Tamashii. We created simultaneously in the studio. While I was choreographing, he composed the music.

Anthony understands exactly what kind of universe I want to create for the choreography. He knows how to transform music into a magical composition that resonates with the choreography.

As choreographer it is beautiful to speak through dancers and to see how dancers give a body and soul to the music and the choreography. In turn, Fiumara's music gives a universe of sound, the audible soul of the choreography.

Peter Lemmens added magical light-design to the choreography, communicating the atmosphere of the piece beautifully."