The music of Frédéric Chopin remains unique in music history in that most of what the Polish composer wrote is in the active repertory. Chopin is critical to the repertoire of pianists everywhere, and next month, Rachel Naomi Kudo, a 28-year-old American pianist from the Chicago suburbs, heads to Warsaw to take part in the 17th International Chopin Competition, having won a … [Read more...]
A refined Chopin from Anievas at PB Symphony
The stage at the Society of the Four Arts for Wednesday’s Palm Beach Symphony concert had but a few chairs and a concert grand piano on display. “No percussion, no brass, no winds,’’ said the young couple behind me, sotto voce, before the concert began. Their keen observation spoke volumes. Ramón Tebar, after five years at the helm of the orchestra, has cleverly matched his … [Read more...]
Chopin winner Huangci set for recital, Boca Symphonia
The bicentenary of the birth of Frederic Chopin in 2010 was observed all over the classical world, not least in Miami, where the U.S. version of the Chopin Competition was held. The winner of that February competition was Claire Huangci, a daughter of immigrants from Beijing who grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in her … [Read more...]
Shevchenko’s survey of Brahms, Chopin deeply satisfying
Margarita Shevchenko’s program at the Steinway Gallery on Saturday night was as core-Romantic as it could get, with much-loved music by Brahms and Chopin making up the bill of fare. But while these works were twice- and thrice-familiar, the Russian-born resident of North Miami Beach brought a deep, mature vision to the music that enhanced and restored its classic status. By … [Read more...]