Incantations “Incantations" are spells, enchantments and bewitchery. They are performed by wizards, witches or fairies, whose rituals are designed to trigger magical and sometimes ‘suspect’ effects on persons or objects. In the course of such ceremonies strange words like "Abracadabra", "Sim Sala Bim" or "Hocus Pocus" are used. Some creative artists might also be called wizards. And some of them are capable of supplying us with ‘art’ of questionable quality - something we might refer to as “Abracadabra” or “Sim Sala Bim”. I always tried to avoid this in my creations, but perhaps on several occasions I gave into the temptation..!? "Incantations" certainly does not fall into this category, and in fact creating it was a very rewarding and enriching experience. "Incantations" had no underlying program or message. I was simply ‘enchanted’ by André Jolivet’s music, by the convincing interpretation of the flutist Aurèle Nicolet as well as by the talent, willingness and trust of the dancers.
I was fortunate to work with some very talented young interpreters. For example with Joyce Cuoco, who excited thousands of spectators at the "Radio City Music Hall" in New York as a twelve year old "wunderkind" in the sixties, but who also enchanted audiences as a mature dancer at the Stuttgart Ballet. But first and foremost it was my first professional encounter with my lifelong partner Sabine Kupferberg. Working with her and her partner Christian Fallanga gave me some of my finest creative experiences – it gave me some kind of reassurance that dance and choreography are capable of transmitting very sensitive and personal messages other art forms cannot. I can imagine that this work would not pass when scrutinized by today's standards, but the experience was interesting and it lead me to further exploration of this vulnerable art form and its relation to music. Jiří Kylián - The Hague, May 28, 2020