TODAY 50 YEARS AGO, John Cranko's Song of My People – Forest-People – Sea (originally Ami Yam Ami Ya'ar) premiered in Israel with the Batsheva Dance Company. Cranko was enthusiastic about other cultures and was particularly fascinated by Israel. In October 1970, the Stuttgart Ballet went on tour to Israel and gave performances in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and Netanja. In his exploration of the country, Cranko was inspired by contemporary poetry and ultimately chose seven authors whose works would form the basis for his piece with the Batsheva Dance Company. The original Israeli title Ami Yam Ami Ya'ar refers to a poem by Uri Zvi Greenberg that deals with the plight of Jews in the face of violence and persecution. Cranko transformed the suffering of the Jewish people as well as individual fates into dance with sometimes shocking scenes. The 1971 programme booklet said: "A Nation and Man Move in Parallel Cycles from Death to Regeneration." The theme runs like a thread through Cranko's sombre ballet, which nevertheless glimmers with hope, love and the good life.

Photo: Myriam Simon, Marijn Rademaker and Hyo-Jung Kang dancing a reconstruction of the piece at the 50th anniversary of the Stuttagrt Ballet in 2011; © Stuttgart Ballet