Balletlujah documentary celebrates k.d. lang's music through dance

k.d. lang is acknowledged as one of Canada's most gifted vocalists, but these days, it's not an album that's making her beam of pride, but Balletlujah,a documentary describing the creation of a ballet inspired by her music.

• k.d. lang admits she was 'super humbled' by Balletlujah, ahead of CBC doc premiere

Alberta Ballet's performance by the same name was already a hit in Calgary in 2013, now, the film will allow Canadians from coast to coast to see it.

"I think the ballet and the landscape of Alberta, how it translates into the documentary is just stunning,"said langin an interview with CBC's Deana Sumanac-Johnson.

"I'm very, very honoured to be part of it."

The film featuresconversationsbetween lang and Jean Grand-Matre, Alberta Ballet's artistic director, as they discuss lang'sartistic inspiration and her lifefrom growing up gay in the small town of Consort, Alberta, to becoming the toast of the Los Angelesmusic sceneonce her song Constant Craving became an international hit.

These interviews are splicedwith scenic landscapes of Alberta, a kind of a vast Prairie stage acrosswhich two female dancers enact the stories oflove and longing captured in many of lang's songs.

• WATCH|An interview withJean Grand-Matre

One thing the viewers learn is that lang, who has lived in the United States for many years, believes her way of singing was deeply influenced by growing up in the Prairies.These days, she splits her time between Alberta and her American home in Portland, Oregon.

"I think it informed my basic aesthetic. Long open tones, with slight ornamentation if any," says lang.

"Aesthetically I'm kind of a minimalist.I love space.I love simplicity so I think the Prairies definitely correlate to my music over the years in terms of openness and vastness."

But if you're waiting to hear that famously big and openvoice again, you may have to wait a little longer.

Lang is busy painting, writing, and just spending time with friends and family.

"I'm very happy where I am now.I feel satisfied, I don't feel like I have anything to prove." says lang.

Balletlujah premieres on Thursdayat 9 p.m. (10 NT) on CBC-TV.

langtalks about having the space to live her life inthevideo above.