Together

I consider Aaltokoski’s Together as one of Aaltokoski’s best works. Together deals with relationship between two people, balancing between being apart and being together, hanging on and letting go, being alone and being together, between need and self-sufficiency. Although the dancers are two men, the movement language and the way this topic is treated are so abstract that the performance does not in any case apply only to the relations between men.

The work is at once harsh and sensual both for its form and motion language. All the emotional expressions are focused on the body. Kalle Paasonen’s lights largely define the ambiance of the presentation. The musical world created by Aake Otsala rolls into the consciousness as inevitably as the lights.

Ahto Koskitalo and Jouni Majaniemi are the original performers of the presentation. That, and the effect of all the performances over the years, shows in confidence and internalization of the movement and deepening of the topic that can never be found in a new presentation.

Together is an excellent and an intense performance, which again proved movement’s capacity to transmit something that words can never reach.

Two men, one piece, music, coordination, dance and emotions are combined to create perfection where all elements make a difference on an abstract level. Here, the audience witnessed that art can involve questions and social contradictions and turn them into an amazing contemporary dance performance.

Dos hombres, una obra, música, coordinación, danza y sentimientos se conjugaron a la perfección ya que cada elemento representaba algo en cierto nivel de abstracción. Aquí, el público fue testigo de cómo esta manifestación artística puede incluir temas de polémica social y convertirlos en un magnífico trabajo de danza contemporánea.

It is great that this kind of male energy exists in Finland! [..] Together creates a space for intelligence and elegance. The sharp sword of virtuoso movement swings with dangerous power. [..] In his new work Aaltokoski creates a bridge of vigorous communication between two men. This dialogue takes place on a psycho-physical level and the wide spectrum of movement material is full of emotion. [..] The choreographer’s seemingly endless imagination produces a flow of movement that becomes an episodic whole which is tied together by Kalle Paasonen’s fantastic lighting dramaturgy. The haze, pulse and light shade of romance in Aake Otsala’s music always provokes nuanced emotions. [..] Ahto Koskitalo’s body is condensed power, but not at the slightest expense of his speed. Koskitalo articulates and gives rhythm to every movement extremely precisely and is always in complete control of the situation. Jouni Majaniemi’s supple spine, languorous movement curves and broad register of expression complements the duo’s restrained charisma. The narration is captivating.