The Arrival (2008), by Jose Alvarez.Art: The Norton Museum of Art has opened an exhibit of contemporary art featuring works by artists whose perception of the world around is refracted in unusual but precise ways. Altered States, which opened Saturday and runs through July 17, shows work by four artists – Jose Alvarez, Yayoi Kusama, Fred Tomaselli and Leo … [Read more...]
Music roundup: Orchestras stand out in Shostakovich, Mendelssohn
Philippe Entremont. (Photo by Alvaro Yanez)By Greg StepanichBoca Raton Symphonia (Sunday, March 20, Roberts Theater, Boca Raton)The Boca Raton Symphonia closed its most recent concert Sunday with one of its better recent performances, one that seemed well-suited to the orchestra’s current period of experimentation and expansion.Philippe Entremont, in his … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: March 18-20
From the Black Lagoon (1954), by George Zimbel.Art: Here’s one way of tying together a lot of disparate work: the alphabet.Tomorrow, the Norton Museum of Art opens From A to Z: 26 Great Photographs from the Norton Collection, which is exactly what it sounds like – a group of photos arranged by photographer’s names from A to Z. The “X” photographer is … [Read more...]
Music review: Boca fest audience was wild about Jackie
Jackie Evancho.By Greg StepanichPerhaps some were thinking of their own daughters, pre-teen rebellion, and others of their granddaughters, out of touch in distant states.Doubtless most had happier ideas in mind, though one thing was clear: The appearance Saturday of Jackie Evancho on the final night of this year’s Festival of the Arts Boca turned an audience of … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: March 11-13
Ray Bolger, Judy Garland and Jack Haley in The Wizard of Oz.The film industry has been one of the best things ever to happen to the symphony orchestra, and tonight at the Festival of the Arts Boca, both will be together again. Restoration specialist John Guberman is bringing the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz to the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater tonight, to be screened to … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Feb. 18-20
Daniela Mack. (Photo by Dario Acosta) Music: The music of Spain has long been a favorite of the conductor Philippe Entremont, and for this weekend’s concert by the Boca Symphonia, he’s commissioned new arrangements of familiar and not-so-familiar masterworks from the land of Cervantes. The Argentine-born mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack is the guest soloist for Manuel … [Read more...]
ArtsPaper Interview: Age of Philippe begins at Boca Symphonia
Philippe Entremont.(Illustration by Pat Crowley)By Greg StepanichThe French pianist Philippe Entremont was born in 1934 in Rheims, France, to two musicians, and found fame early, entering the Paris Conservatoire at 12 and winning first prizes in solfège, chamber music and piano performance by the time he was 15.He made his American debut in 1953, … [Read more...]
Music review: Platt bids farewell to Boca Symphonia with distinctive program
Conductor Alexander Platt.By Greg StepanichAlexander Platt’s final concert over the weekend as the principal conductor of the Boca Raton Symphonia was a good example of the kind of event that has distinguished his three-year tenure: fresh programming, young, rising soloists, and an affection for canonical works that allows him to see well-established pieces with new eyes.He’s … [Read more...]
Music review: Symphonia, violinist make good case for Rorem concerto
Violinist Livia Sohn. By Greg Stepanich There has been no shortage during the past century of American composers who have been willing to write violin concertos. But there has been a dearth of conductors and orchestras who have been willing to turn those concertos into repertory pieces (or at least try). A tip of the hat, then, to Alexander Platt and the Boca Raton Symphonia, … [Read more...]
Music review: Soloists shine for Judd’s return in ‘Messiah’
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).By Greg StepanichAnnual performances of George Frideric Handel's oratorio Messiah at this time of year are always of the so-called Christmas portion, that close-to-half of this Easter piece that touches on the birth of Jesus.In his return to area podiums for the first time since 2001, former Florida Philharmonic director James Judd leads … [Read more...]