Interview: Stanton Welch on bringing Houston Ballet’s Sons de L’âme to Segerstrom

In a significant cultural event, Houston Ballet is set to present the full production of Sons de L’âme at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts from October 15 to 18, marking the ballet’s third complete staging since its Paris premiere in 2013. This performance features live accompaniment by renowned pianist George Li, continuing a unique collaboration that intertwines ballet and solo piano music.

The ballet originated from a collaboration between superstar pianist Lang Lang and Stanton Welch, Houston Ballet’s artistic director and a prolific choreographer. Lang Lang’s vision to merge Chopin’s solo piano repertoire with ballet was the catalyst for the project, which premiered in Paris to critical acclaim, with Houston Ballet dancers interpreting Welch’s choreography alongside Lang Lang’s marathon solo performance.

Sons de L’âme distinguishes itself through its emphasis on the dynamic exchange between pianist and dancers, a relationship that departs from traditional concert ballet presentations. Unlike typical performances where music and dance are often rehearsed separately, this ballet demands acute responsiveness from dancers to the pianist’s live tempo and expression, mirroring the interactive atmosphere of studio rehearsals.

Welch’s selection of Chopin pieces was deeply personal, drawing on the composer’s long-standing association with ballet music. His curation reflects a spectrum of emotional tones to avoid monotony, aiming to evoke intimate, diary-like reflections rather than a narrative plot. The choreography complements this approach by emphasizing the dancers’ bodily presence through minimalist costuming designed to blend with their skin tones, thereby focusing audience attention on the physicality and musicality of the performance.

The ballet’s staging is notably sparse, with dancers clad in nude-hued attire that reveals their form and movement in stark relief against the black-and-white piano. This visual simplicity amplifies the raw emotionality and vulnerability at the heart of the production, likened by Welch to an acoustic, unplugged musical experience.

Following its 2013 premiere, the full ballet was not performed again until April 2024, when Houston Ballet staged the US premiere at Houston’s Asia Society, featuring George Li. The choice to revive Sons de L’âme in Southern California was influenced by both the availability of a suitable venue and the presence of a pianist capable of meeting the demanding musical requirements of the piece.

This upcoming engagement at Segerstrom represents a homecoming for Houston Ballet in the region, where the company has a relatively limited history of performances. The roster for Sons de L’âme includes sixteen of the company’s leading dancers, some familiar with the work and others new to its challenges. The dancers’ ability to synchronize with the live pianist underpins the ballet’s success, highlighting the company’s musical sensitivity and physical discipline.

Welch’s approach to choreography in Sons de L’âme departs from conventional storytelling ballets, favoring an abstract and emotionally nuanced form. This allows for an intimate exploration of Chopin’s music, which is presented uninterrupted over two hours with an intermission, testing the stamina of both dancers and pianist.

The ballet’s presentation at Segerstrom offers audiences an opportunity to experience a rare fusion of virtuosic piano performance and contemporary ballet choreography. It also underscores Houston Ballet’s commitment to innovative programming and artistic partnerships that challenge traditional boundaries within the performing arts.

While Stanton Welch’s extensive choreographic portfolio includes works for numerous international companies, Sons de L’âme stands out as his first full ballet set exclusively to Chopin’s compositions. The production’s minimalistic aesthetic and emphasis on musical interplay exemplify a modern sensibility in ballet staging, fostering a direct and potent connection between performers and audience.

As Houston Ballet returns to Southern California, Sons de L’âme promises to leave a lasting impression, both as a showcase of the company’s top talents and as a testament to the enduring inspiration drawn from Chopin’s timeless music.