AMAN DANCERS PRESENT 3 NEW WORKS AT UCLA

The revitalization of the Aman Folk Ensemble witnessed in June of last year continued undiminished in an authoritative program that introduced three new works Saturday at Royce Hall, UCLA.

The most spectacular of the new works were the vigorous men’s dances from the Anatolian town of Bitlis, choreographed by company director Don Sparks.

Eight Aman men formed precise, tight line formations and executed heavy foot stomps, hops, bounces, drop kicks and crazy, rubbery leg twists.

After a sequence of leaning back off-balance and voicing virile shouts, the men dazzled with rounds of blistering hand-slapped greetings--which verged on hand-to-hand combat.

Also derived from material provided by Ozkok and set by artistic director Barry Glass were the women’s intricate circle dances of Sivas. Here, as in all the new material, the company exploited highly theatricalized variety of steps and fluidly changing spatial patterns.

In the new Transylvanian Szekelyfold Suite, choreographed by Sparks, for instance, full-stage patterns would form, dissolve and reform, exhibiting overall symmetry but often built upon dynamic diagonals and characterized by inner asymmetrical elements.

In the new suite of dances from the Croatian district of Baranja, choreographed by Billy Burke, distinctive elements amid the circular formations included little flat-footed hops and the women brightly chattering whenever they clustered into an inner circle.

Highlights of familiar Aman repertory included a Norwegian Suite, and the popular Appalachian Suite.

Appearing as guests were the five members of the Bolivian instrumental group Yatiri.

Throughout, the Aman musicians demonstrated mastery of a variety of demanding styles. And vocalists Michele Gerard and Charles Eisen also sang lovely duets from Soviet Georgia.