Composer Richard Danielpour.By Greg StepanichWhen Richard Danielpour was a student at Twin Lakes High School and thinking about being a musician, he used to go down each week to Spec’s Music at the Palm Beach Mall and go trolling for LPs.One day he bought a recording of the Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, in a performance by a French pianist named Philippe … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Nov. 13-17
Reclining Pepper, by Barry Seidman.Art: Tonight will be a busy one for art openings from Jupiter down to Boca Raton, and Barry Seidman will be part of several of them.The fine art photographer will exhibit images from six of his different series --Beached, Bloomers, Drinks, Art-chi-textures, Hot Peppers and Smoke -- at the Palm Beach Yacht Club tonight and Saturday. His … [Read more...]
Music review: Fresh Mendelssohn, new violinist shine at Boca Symphonia
Violinist Ernö Kallai. By Greg StepanichBOCA RATON – It’s not every day that you hear a world premiere of a Mendelssohn symphony, and if that sounds like a too-eager acceptance of a publicist's line, let this also be said: It works.The first concert Sunday afternoon of the Boca Raton Symphonia’s fifth season was noteworthy for the cantata-less arrangement of Mendelssohn’s … [Read more...]
Music review: Pianist Baczewska enlightens with Bach-Chopin recital
Pianist Magdalena Baczewska.By Greg StepanichFORT LAUDERDALE -- One of the great ironies of the reception that has been given to the work of Frederic Chopin is that it often is founded on the belief that here was a composer who was content to sing out pretty melodies and leave the density of counterpoint to other people.But Chopin's great idol was J.S. Bach (he also idolized … [Read more...]
Music review: Cellist deMaine’s Beethoven survey exciting, important
Cellist Robert deMaine.By Greg StepanichOne of the benefits of a complete-works concert series is that a composer's achievement can be measured not only in a specific genre but against itself.But getting a good assessment is only possible if the pieces are played well enough for the performers almost to drop away and leave the music standing alone, alive and independent, making … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Nov. 6-9
Alexander Platt. Music: The Boca Symphonia opens its fifth season this weekend in what will be its last series under conductor Alexander Platt, who is leaving to concentrate on an increased workload in Chicago. Platt’s defining aesthetic has been his innovative programming, and this season is no exception. The Symphonia will play one standard work, the Violin Concerto in G … [Read more...]
Music feature: Cellist deMaine to play all of Beethoven’s cello pieces in Boca concerts
Cellist Robert deMaine.By Greg StepanichThe cultural-event marathon is one of the most absorbing pleasures in the world of the arts, a chance for fans of a genre or a specific body of work to immerse themselves and give themselves wholly over to the featured creations.Pianists have milestones such as the complete Well-Tempered Clavier of Bach or all 32 of the Beethoven sonatas, … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Oct. 30-Nov. 2
His Eye Is on the Sparrow, a quilt by Wendell George Brown.Art: Handmade quilts have been a cultural part of America’s history for practical reasons (warm bed covers), community building (quilting bees), storytelling and personal artistic expression.But in the African-American community, quilting took on an expanded role. During slavery, quilts with secret symbols were hung on … [Read more...]
Music review: Lynn Phil opens season with strong Prokofiev
Albert-George Schram and the Lynn Philharmonia.By Greg StepanichYou can't get a majority of people to like Schoenberg, it seems, even 100 years later, but that should not obscure the main impression left Saturday night by the Lynn Philharmonia -- that this is an orchestra that keeps going from strength to strength.The Lynn orchestra, like all such student groups, has a … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Oct. 23-25
Trumpet Player, by Herman Schreiber.[This entry has been updated to correct a factual error.] This weekend, the south end of Palm Beach County has what you need for your art fix. Opening Friday night at the Urs Art Studio Gallery in Boynton Beach is an exhibit featuring eight artists: George Cheskes, Portland Jastram, Vera Rekstad, Naomie St. Amand, Maxine and Herman Schreiber, … [Read more...]