Limón’s Legacy: Moving With Purpose
Among the masterworks featured in (RE)Build, José Limón's Chaconne represents a profound legacy that continues to move audiences decades after its creation. As one of modern dance's most influential voices, Limón (1908-1972) transformed the art form by creating works that explored the depths of human experience through powerful, emotionally resonant movement.
Angel Khaytyan performing Chaccone with live accompaniment by Erin Schreiber from St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | Photo by Pratt + Kreidich
A Revolutionary Approach to Movement
Limón's genius lies in his understanding of the natural forces that shape human movement:
The interplay between gravity and resistance
The power of breath to drive emotion
The connection between physical and spiritual strength
The balance of control and release
This approach revolutionized modern dance training and continues to influence dancers worldwide. His technique emphasizes moving with both strength and sensitivity, creating what we now recognize as one of the most influential movement vocabularies in modern dance.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW:
In a world where we often reduce our expressions to emojis and abbreviations, Chaconne reminds us of something profound: the sheer power of one person expressing their full humanity through movement. This masterful solo work celebrates the beauty of passion made visible. When we witness a dancer embody Limón's choreography, we experience the impact of pure human expression – strength, integrity, and emotion in their most direct form. Chaconne shows us that there is nothing quite as moving as watching someone dance with their whole heart.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES, BUILDING LEGACY
Limón broke ground in multiple ways:
Established the male dancer as a powerful presence in modern dance
Created works that tackled profound themes of human resilience
Built the first modern dance company to survive its founder's death
Developed a technique that influences dancers worldwide
Chaconne exemplifies the transformative power of dance to speak across generations. Its inclusion in (RE)Build connects Saint Louis Dance Theatre to a profound legacy of artistic innovation while demonstrating how classical forms can be reimagined for today's audiences.
