Alexandr Pilcov: The feeling of flight is familiar to me because I'm soaring on stage

Alexandr Pilcov

AGP Dance Group "New Era" appeared on the stage and brought a breath of fresh air to choreography in Moldova.  This is how openly the dancers declare their talent:  and not only declare it, but also prove it.  Actually, they haven’t missed performing in any possible concert arranged by local performers.  They have performed their dance shows on the stages of the National Concert Palace, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Mihai Eminescu National Theatre, the National Festivities House, and the Great National Assembly Square.  And this is not all.  Their minimum plan includes organizing a solo concert, and their maximum plan....  The maximum doesn't exist for "New Era", as their motto is "movement towards perfection!"  But perfection, it is said, has no limits.  However, everything in its turn.  Alexandr Pilcov, choreographer, founder and artistic director of AGP Dance Group "New Era", has kindly agreed to be interviewed.

New Era embodies a new style of dance.  My style is individual and it differs from all others existing in Chisinau.  I can barely find the words to describe it.  It should be seen:  it is an original combination of jazz, modern and other styles of dance.  All of our dance shows have a unique nature.  Each is like a specific story, which we try to tell on stage.

Spectators’ first reaction to our performances is shock and awe.  When we step on stage they never know what to expect.  After the performances we see that their high expectations have been met.  We give them emotional experiences, and that’s cool, especially when the audiences explode in applause.

Our troop is not numerous.  It consists of 8 dancers.  We are more than simple colleagues; we are like a close-knit family.  In my choreography I usually use complicated dance movements that require advanced technique.  Many dancers want to join "New Era", but very few can sustain the pace.  To work 24 hours per day, giving 100% best effort, demands great endurance and discipline.  I can tell immediately whether or not a dancer suits "New Era".  Some dancers must leave, while the best continue working with us.

Music captivates me when I step on stage. In fact, it is the music that drives my choreography.  Every time I dance, I feel the same sense of apprehension as if it were my first time on stage.  Our performances never repeat and emotions are always new.  The feeling of flight is familiar to me, because I'm soaring on stage.

Very often dancers believe that their success depends on the correct choice of costumes. Of course, that’s very important, but it’s not the main thing.  First of all, a dancer should amaze the spectators with his dance.  Once, in a foreign country, I had the chance to see dancers performing on stage dressed only in humble black tights.  After the show ended, the audience exploded in applause.  Such intensity of emotion is rarely observed.

We have something to impress Americans with.  I observed this myself.  Not a long time ago, I visited Boston in America.  I went to a dance studio and took a jazz-modern dance class.  They were impressed and in shock when I told them that I was 23 years old and was already the director of a dance group, plus I have my own dance studio, plus I am a choreographer and lecturer at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts.  They were shocked because in their country people only achieve such things when they are much older. 

Solo performances are a special chapter in my life as a dancer.  Without question, performing solo dances is more difficult than performing with a troupe, but at the same time, it is also more interesting.  One of my most recent solo dances is called "Light".  The staging of the show is extraordinary.  Against complete darkness, I move in the way of the light.  In the final scene, I break the walls of darkness and the light fills the concert hall.  I'm sure everyone is able to break through blank walls and find his freedom.  My debut performance of the dance "Light" took place in one of Chisinau’s dance clubs.  The spectators were deeply moved; many people had tears in their eyes during the performance.

We are not simply back dancers.  Our group often dances at the concerts of popular Moldovan singers such as Vitalie Dani, Constantin Moscovici, Ion Suruceanu, Natalia Barbu, Neli Ciobanu, Anisoara Puica, Serge Cuzencov, Adrian Ursu, Lidia Scarlat, and many others. Through dance we are trying to demonstrate the story of the song, which we create ourselves.  In fact, the dancers become a part of the song.

Live and learn, I say All my life I have been learning.  I don’t understand it when many popular people say, "I have achieved ‘the top’ in Moldova and I don't need to progress any farther."  Our motto is "movement towards perfection!"  I feel hurt when many decent dancers, artistic directors and other artistic people go abroad not only for the best salaries but also for better self-realization.  I wish to realize myself in Moldova.  I'm not thinking now of living abroad.  Instead I’d like to represent Moldova internationally.

It is nearly impossible to dance when you are in a bad mood.  Even more so when you are crying.  All problems must be left behind the curtain.  The audience must not know that anything is wrong with you.  The ability to control emotions distinguishes true professionals.  I remember once I had the chance to see a concert by Celine Dion.  She had recently lost her father.  However, she came onto the stage and did her best.  Only at the end of the concert did she reveal her grief.  This moved me deeply.

In October we are planning our first solo concert.  Expectations are high.  Light, sound, everything will be unique.  I can't reveal all the details now.  It will be a surprise for our audiences.  The only thing I can tell you concretely is that the dance show will be colorful, impressive and unforgettable, like "New Era" itself."

allmoldova