Leonard Bernstein always was torn between the needs of his composing and conducting lives, and in the end, the lure of the podium proved too strong for him to write as much music as he said he wanted to. In a previous Miami residency, Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra tackled the first of the three symphonies Bernstein composed, and Friday night they brought us … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2010
Music review: Cleveland Orchestra does right by Bernstein
Pianist Joela Jones. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)By Greg StepanichLeonard Bernstein always was torn between the needs of his composing and conducting lives, and in the end, the lure of the podium proved too strong for him to write as much music as he said he wanted to.In a previous Miami residency, Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra tackled the first of the three … [Read more...]
Violinist Numata shows power, wide range in Duncan recital
If eclecticism is the name of the game for today's younger virtuosi, then to be successful these days requires that you play all those different kinds of pieces equally well. It won't do, in other words, to have a middling Mozart but an incandescent Shostakovich. Too much is expected, but that doesn't mean you can't shine a little brighter in some things more than in others. … [Read more...]
Music review: Violinist Numata shows power, wide range
Violinist Yuki Numata.By Greg StepanichIf eclecticism is the name of the game for today's younger virtuosi, then to be successful these days requires that you play all those different kinds of pieces equally well.It won't do, in other words, to have a middling Mozart but an incandescent Shostakovich. Too much is expected, but that doesn't mean you can't shine a little brighter … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks, Jan. 29-Feb. 3
This weekend, the Houston Symphony Orchestra comes to town as part of a limited national tour, and it’s bringing the universe along with it. Conductor Hans Graf will lead the Houstonians (and the women of its chorus) in the great seven-part tone poem The Planets, by English composer Gustav Holst, accompanied by high-definition NASA images of our universe projected on a giant … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Jan. 29-Feb. 3
Jupiter and its moon, Io.(Photo by NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory)Music: This weekend, the Houston Symphony Orchestra comes to town as part of a limited national tour, and it’s bringing the universe along with it. Conductor Hans Graf will lead the Houstonians (and the women of its chorus) in the great seven-part tone poem The Planets, by English composer Gustav Holst, … [Read more...]
Cornell’s pinball exhibit evokes a lost America
As video killed the radio star, so did it kill the pinball machine. And as a new exhibit of nostalgic Americana at the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture in Delray Beach makes clear, the rise of computer technology and video have sent pinball machines down the road of forgotten Americana: the automat, the Victrola, the jukebox, the 1959 Chevy. Pinball machines … [Read more...]
Art review: Pinball exhibit evokes a lost America
The backglass art from the King of Diamonds pinball machine,made by Gottlieb in 1967.(artist: Art Stenholm; designer: Ed Krinsky)By Jan EngorenAs video killed the radio star, so did it kill the pinball machine.And as a new exhibit of nostalgic Americana at the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture in Delray Beach makes clear, the rise of computer technology and video have … [Read more...]
Violinist O’Connor to play genre-busting recital in Wellington
Some musicians are so adept at different styles that they get tagged with the phrase "they can play anything." Fewer actually earn the distinction, since most don't get the chance, or even seek, to play every style. American violinist Mark O'Connor is the exception, since the 48-year-old has practically been there and done all that. He conquered Gypsy jazz and swing while … [Read more...]
Music feature: Violinist O’Connor to play genre-busting recital
Violinist Mark O'Connor.(Photo by Erica Horn)By Bill MeredithSome musicians are so adept at different styles that they get tagged with the phrase "they can play anything." Fewer actually earn the distinction, since most don't get the chance, or even seek, to play every style.American violinist Mark O'Connor is the exception, since the 48-year-old has practically been there and … [Read more...]