Emancipation of Expressionism: Aural Settings

Music plays an integral role in the dance piece, choreographed to a bespoke score by UK music producer, DJ Walde.
The piece starts off with soft, ambient sound, slowly building into heavier beats. This gradual rise in intensity complements the mounting tension in the dance.
There is an incorporation of beatboxing giving the piece an urban feel. This aural element helps to underscore the uniqueness of the choreography and the street dance influence.
Sound effects like heavy breathing and the patter of rain are also used within the composition, intended to reflect and emphasise the dancers’ physical exertion and the mood of the piece.
The technique of sampling, common in hip-hop music production, is employed. This consists of taking a portion of one sound recording and reusing it in a new recording.
There are strong rhythmic beats that the dancers accentuate in their movement, bringing out the dynamic, sharp and punctuated style of hip-hop.
Sometimes there is an absence of sound which puts the dancers’ movements at the forefront. This silence, creates a powerful contrast with the otherwise high-energy music.
The music and aural setting of the piece overall complements the hip-hop dance style and effectively communicates the narrative and expressionistic elements of the dance.