Ashes2Ashes is a contemporary dance work inspired by the ancient ritual of the “8-hour hunt,” when early humans moved in deep connection with the land and with one another, guided by instinct, endurance and mutual respect. Rooted in the textures of soil and sand, the work uses the earth as both material and metaphor, shifting, grounding and transforming the body. It reimagines a world where humanity once again relies on collective effort and an intrinsic relationship with nature. Ashes2Ashes is a reflection on origin and return, reminding us that beneath our differences, we are shaped by the same ground, and ultimately return to it. This double-bill programme presents two 20th century works for violin, piano and percussion: Set of 5 by Henry Cowell and Varied Trio by Lou Harrison.
Programme
Henry Cowell Set of 5 (1952)
I Largo sostenuto
II Allegro
III Andante
IV Presto leggiero
V Vigoroso
Lou Harrison Varied Trio (1986/87)
I Gending
II Bowl Bells
III Elegy
IV Rondeau in Honor of Fragonard
V Dance
Credits
Mei Yi Foo - piano
Bartosz Woroch - violin
Faith Stonehewer - percussion
Choreographer - Diane Portelli in collaboration with the dancers
Composer - Mario Sammut
Performers - Charlotte Carpentier, Irene Nocella, Jonay Malvar Sierra
Light Design - Diane Portelli
Costume and Creation - Maria Cutajar Programme Notes Set of Five (1952) - Henry Cowell
Henry Cowell’s Set of Five for violin, piano and percussion is an 18‑minute suite that fuses Irish, Latin‑American and Anglo‑American melodic ideas with Asian‑inspired percussion sonorities and Cowell’s characteristic experimental techniques. Each of the five short movements has a distinct colour, like a set of contrasting “world‑music” miniatures heard through the lens of mid‑century American modernism. The opening movement typically presents vigorous, folk‑tinged melodic fragments over bright, patterned percussion, establishing the work’s exuberant and rhythm‑driven character. The second tends toward a more lyrical, modal cantilena, allowing violin and piano to sing against delicate, atmospheric percussion textures suggestive of non‑Western ensembles. A scherzo‑like third movement foregrounds pointed rhythms, playful metric shifts and sharper instrumental juxtapositions, while the fourth offers a more contemplative, free‑flowing meditation, its textures thinner and harmonies more transparent. The finale gathers these elements into an energetic synthesis, recalling earlier rhythmic cells and folk‑like motives in a buoyant closing dance that underlines Cowell’s fascination with bringing disparate musical cultures into a single, idiosyncratic voice.
Varied Trio (1986/87) - Lou Harrison
Lou Harrison’s Varied Trio for violin, piano and percussion is a five‑movement suite exploring different places, textures and historical references through his distinctive blend of Western and Asian influences. I Gending, is inspired by Indonesian gamelan, this movement evokes the shimmering, cyclical patterns of Javanese court music, using repetitive figurations and modal harmonies to create a gently hypnotic atmosphere. In mov II Bowl Bells, Harrison turns tuned rice bowls into delicate bells, struck with chopsticks; the resulting chiming sonorities frame simple, folk‑like lines, suggesting an intimate ritual or prayer. III Elegy is a rhapsodic, song‑like meditation, this movement foregrounds a long‑breathed violin cantilena over luminous piano and vibraphone sonorities, balancing sorrow with a quiet sense of consolation. Paying homage to the French Rococo painter, in mov IV Rondeau in Honor of Fragonard, Harrison imagines an elegant eighteenth‑century dance, full of gracious turns, clear phrasing and lightly ornamented charm. The finale, mov V Dance, gathers the work’s melodic and rhythmic energy into an exuberant dance, with its vivid percussion and driving rhythms leaving a final impression of joy and physical vitality.
Biographies
Mei Yi Foo - piano
Winner of the 2013 BBC Music Magazine Best Newcomer Award, Mei Yi Foo is an internationally acclaimed pianist celebrated for her eclectic repertoire and fearless artistry. She has performed on five continents with leading orchestras such as the Philharmonia Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, Seoul Philharmonic, and Fort Worth Symphony, and appeared at major festivals including the Lucerne Festival, Ultraschall Berlin, Born Creative Tokyo, Punkt Festival in Norway, and London’s Southbank Centre Music of Today. Her recordings on Sony, Naxos, and Odradek have earned critical praise from The Times, The Independent, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and Klassik Magazine. Born in Malaysia and now based in the UK, Mei Yi is a professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and previously served as Artist-in-Residence at Maynooth University in Ireland. She was awarded the Setiawan Tuanku Muhriz medal for her contributions to the arts. In 2025, she founded the Nine Arts Festival in Negeri Sembilan, where she serves as Music Director.
Bartosz Woroch - violin
Polish-born violinist Bartosz Woroch is a prize-winner at major international competitions including the Pablo Sarasate, Michael Hill and YCAT Awards. He has performed worldwide with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, Auckland Philharmonic, Bern Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony and the Polish Radio Orchestras, and has led and directed Sinfonia Cymru, serving as Artistic Director for its landmark international project Small Nations Big Sounds. Equally active as a chamber musician and leader of the Lutosławski Quartet, Bartosz has collaborated with artists including Pekka Kuusisto, Sting, Caroline Palmer, Uri Caine, Nicholas Daniel and director Tom Morris, appearing at the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Palais des Beaux-Arts. His acclaimed recordings include Dancer on a Tightrope and ConNotations with the Britten Sinfonia. He studied at the Paderewski Academy in Poznan, the Hochschule der Kunste Berne and at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he is now a professor.
Faith Stonehewer - percussion
Faith Stonehewer is a London-based percussionist and educator whose work spans orchestral, chamber and musical theatre performance. She has appeared with ensembles including Charles Hazlewood’s Paraorchestra, the Aurora Orchestra and Swansea City Opera, performing across the UK and Europe. Her chamber music highlights include the Holland Festival, the 2024 International Festival for Contemporary Music in the Faroe Islands and the Blüthner Piano International Classics Series in Leipzig, and as a drummer she has worked with the Novello Orchestra and Frinton Theatre. Deeply committed to music education, Faith has contributed to programmes with the National Open Youth Orchestra, Bristol Youth Orchestra, Cathedral Schools Trust and the National Children’s Orchestras. She trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, taking masterclasses with Dame Evelyn Glennie, Colin Currie and Daniella Ganeva, and began her postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2025 under Sam Walton, supported by a scholarship, Earthsong Foundation and Help Musicians UK.
Moveo Dance Company
Moveo Dance Company is a Maltese contemporary dance ensemble known for its physically charged, concept-driven performances. Blending strong theatricality with technique, the company explores themes of identity, human connection, and various social themes. Moveo’s work often reflects a deep curiosity about the human condition, expressed through bold choreography and immersive stage environments.
Founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Dorian Mallia, collaborators Diane Portelli and Dorian Mallia have been instrumental in shaping the company’s distinctive voice. Their creative partnership brings together diverse influences, resulting in performances that are both emotionally resonant and visually compelling. Through their direction, Moveo has developed a reputation for producing work that challenges audiences while remaining accessible and engaging. The company has presented work across Malta and internationally, continuously evolving its artistic approach while maintaining a commitment to high-quality performance. Moveo also invests in the development of local talent, creating a supportive environment for dancers to grow and experiment. With each production, Moveo Dance Company seeks to push boundaries and spark dialogue, offering audiences a powerful and thought-provoking contemporary dance experience.