Photo : Tom Gachet
Dance
Through a repertoire that spans eras and cultures, the COSU explores the close links between music, dance, and movement.
Amphithéâtre Richelieu de la Sorbonne (Paris 5th)
About
Dance and music can flourish independently, but when they meet, they merge into a single impulse: marking time and inhabiting it.
This dialogue is the thread of a program designed as a four-beat dance. It first looks at how today's music embraces the dances of yesterday and, with them, the memory of danced movement. The concert then becomes an invitation to dance, followed by a journey through musical folklore: everywhere, music and dance accompany celebrations, rituals, and gatherings. From Slovenia to the Samoan Islands, from Norwegian slåtter to Indian konnakol, these collective practices span generations and irrigate contemporary creation. And because one must dance, the fourth beat is that of the body, our first instrument. Gesture becomes rhythm, voice becomes percussion, in a quest for what, within movement, can become sound material.
Gjermund Larsen / arr. Gunnar Eriksson Polonese
Jean-Christophe Rosaz Eternal Bach
Diane Cassini & Timothée Bachimont Le Temps d’une danse (premiere)
Gjermund Larsen Solistvals
Javier Busto Sagastipean
Allah Rakha Rahman / arr. Ethan Sperry Jai Ho!
Robert T. Gibson Dance!
Jean-Christophe Rosaz Chanson sans parole
Heitor Villa-Lobos Duas Lendas Ameríndias em Nheengatu
Trad. Samoan / arr. Christopher Marshall Minoi, Minoi
Trad. Scandinavian / arr. Jim Daus Hjernøe Seidamadei
Laura Jēkabsone Father Thunder
Lisa Young Ben Robertson, Tha Thin Tha
Samo Vovk Ta na Solbici
Sorbonne University Choir
Frédéric Pineau conductor
Our take on this event
Forget the rigid norms of performance art, as this unique showcase transforms the human body into a primary instrument where rhythm and melody collide. This four-part journey spans from Scandinavian folk roots to the vibrant sounds of India and Samoa, exploring how ancient movement fuels modern creative expression. Expect an immersive experience that celebrates the deep, visceral connection between how we dance and how we express our own humanity.
On Tuesday, March 16, 2027, the Sorbonne University Choir, conducted by Frédéric Pineau, explores the dialogue between music and dance at the Amphithéâtre Richelieu de la Sorbonne. From 20:00 to 21:30, this performance weaves together diverse musical traditions, ranging from Norwegian slåtter to Indian konnakol and Samoan folklore, to examine how movement and rhythm shape our cultural expression. The venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users. This concert offers a unique opportunity to witness how the human body acts as the primary instrument for sound and dance throughout history and across various global cultures.
The Amphithéâtre Richelieu de la Sorbonne hosts a special evening dedicated to the fusion of music and movement on Tuesday, March 16, 2027. Between 20:00 and 21:30, the Sorbonne University Choir, under the leadership of Frédéric Pineau, performs a structured four-part program that investigates the persistence of dance memory in modern compositions, global folkloric celebrations, and the body's capacity to generate percussive sound.
The performance includes a wide array of international pieces, such as works by Gjermund Larsen, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and arrangements of traditional Samoan and Scandinavian songs. By bridging the gap between historical practices and contemporary creation, the event highlights how rhythm transcends generations.
The venue is accessible to wheelchair users. Tickets are priced at 17€ for the general public. A discounted rate of 10€ is available for Sorbonne University staff, and a 6€ rate is offered to students, individuals under the age of 18, and social welfare recipients.
