The Long Count

The Long Count

In 2009, David Spelman invited twin brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner, best known as members of The National, and visual artist Matthew Ritchie to present their work The Long Count at the University of Illinois' Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. 

The 70-minute multi-media work is loosely based on the Mayan creation story Popol Vuh, weaving the colors and cardinal directions of Mayan myth with the layout of a baseball diamond in an exploration of time and space. The cast included singers Matt Beringer (of The National), Shara Worden (of My Brightest Diamond), sisters Kim and Kelly Deal (of the Breeders) and a 12-piece orchestra.

Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the Next Wave Festival, the ensemble spent a week in residence at the Krannert Center fine-tuning the production in preparation for the world premiere on September 11, 2009. 

The Long Count has traveled to BAM, Amsterdam's Holland Festival, London's Barbican, and there are plans for an album release.