Rhiannon Giddens has shared the music video for there is no Other (Nonesuch) highlight “Trees On The Mountain.” The video was directed by William Kaner, choreographed by Nashville Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling, and features Company Artists from Nashville Ballet, the organization Giddens worked with last year for her score to the Shakespeare-inspired “Lucy Negro Redux” ballet. “Lucy Negro Redux was hailed as “a seismic shift in dance” by the Nashville Scene and “the kind of miracle Nashville has never seen before” by the NY Times.
Dancers Mollie Sansone, Brett Sjoblom, and Owen Thorne help bring to life Giddens’ and Turrisi’s delicate piano-driven piece, which was originally an aria from Carlilse Floyd’s 1956 opera, Susannah. The new music and visuals, shot in cinematic black-and-white and mostly filmed on a dark empty theater stage, unfolds the song like a tender yet heartbreaking play.
Watch the video here: http://smarturl.it/thereisnoother
Giddens also just launched “Art Is Alive,” a new website assisting artists and creative communities affected by COVID-19 and collecting resources for donations, financial aid, at-home performances, how to file for unemployment and more. https://www.artliveson.com/
These are the latest projects from Giddens’ acclaimed and eclectic journey through the diverse world of roots music and beyond, including a recent Garden & Gun cover story. She is also featured in the New York Times’ African American Art Shaping The 21st Century piece that ran this past weekend. there is no Other was released this past May and was nominated for a “Best American Roots Performance” GRAMMY.
“Trees On The Mountain” Video Credits
Director: William Kaner
Executive Producer: The Sandra Schatten Foundation
Creative Director & Choreographer: Paul Vasterling
Produced by: William Kaner & Zach Meiners
Director of Photography: Sam Windell
Featuring: Rhiannon Giddens, Francesco Turrisi, Mollie Sansone, Brett Sjoblom & Owen Thorne
Editor: Leo Nguyen
Sound Design: Javier Quesada
Color: Joel Pront at Conclude
Titles: Alex Nassour
About Nashville Ballet:Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries, and public elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 and up. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, please visit: Nashvilleballet.com