In this piece I continue my collaboration with the Japanese dancer Takashi Ueno, who has become one of the most important dancers of recent years. His power on stage and the poetry of his movements can be admired in my pieces "Si je meurs laissez le balcon ouvert" ("If I die leave the balcony open"), "Pas de Deux", "Cantatas" and most recently as a guest on "An Evening with Judy". In this new show "Songs For Takashi", I wanted to put him in contact with the music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The music of this period, which comes from Spain, will be sung by Victoria de los Angeles (on a recording). The idea for this unusual combination emerged during rehearsals for my last piece, "Quartet". - Raimund Hoghe