A small string orchestra is well-suited for music of the Baroque, and indeed, there have been a number of such groups, full of young, eager players, founded in the past decade or so. Such a one is I Musici Estensi, established in Milan in 2004, and it’s known not just for its Baroque performances, but music of many other eras. Saturday night, the group was joined at the Crest … [Read more...]
Pianist Rabinovich makes impressive South Florida debut
By Donald Waxman Last Saturday afternoon (April 27) at the Steinway Gallery in Boca Raton, the much-acclaimed young Israeli pianist Roman Rabinovich performed for the first time in South Florida. The 28-year-old pianist, born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, began studies in Israel at the famed Rubin Academy, “the Juilliard of Tel Aviv,” then went on to Curtis and Juilliard. Since … [Read more...]
‘Waiter’ offers good life lesson amid the hilarity
By Dale King It’s said that truth can be stranger than fiction. In the hands and mind of comedian Brad Zimmerman, truth is not only stranger, but is certainly a whole lot funnier, than fiction. Zimmerman, an ordinary-looking guy with a whip-crack wit, has been taking his production of My Son, the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy to various South Florida venues. It finally landed at … [Read more...]
PB Symphony’s Spanish evening ends season sensationally
The Palm Beach Symphony closed its 39th season in stunning fashion Tuesday night at the Kravis Center with a night of music inspired by Spain. The orchestra had 87 players, double its usual size, with a pianist, Tao Lin, and eight percussionists. The ensemble was led by its conductor, Ramon Tebar, a native son from Valencia, Spain, a city that can be justly proud of his recent … [Read more...]
Corea and Fleck reunite for mutually enriching duo concerts
When iconic 71-year-old jazz keyboardist Chick Corea won two Grammy Awards in February, it ran his career total to 20, tied for seventh all-time. Banjoist Bela Fleck is a comparative pup in both age (54) and Grammys (with “only” 15), but he’s been nominated in more different categories — bluegrass, jazz, country, pop, classical, folk, spoken word, composition, and arranging — … [Read more...]
Arts calendar: March 1-April 4, 2013
(Note: Events are listed through April 4 and were current as of Feb. 18. Please check with the presenting agency for any changes. Ticket prices are single sales. Most of the presenting organizations offer subscription plans. Entries may be changed as the month proceeds for cancellations, corrections of errors, or addition of other events.) Art Exhibits Ann Norton Sculpture … [Read more...]
Pianist Han makes bravura impression at Symphonia
The Third Piano Concerto of Beethoven is an indelible masterpiece, but it’s not the first choice a pianist would make for bravura display. And yet the young South Korean pianist Yoonie Han, simply by turning up the heat here and there Sunday afternoon, gave the work a bit more of the fire it must have had when it was new. And that made the Boca Raton Symphonia concert for … [Read more...]
Oscar predictions: It’ll be ‘Argo’ for Best Picture
Being snubbed for a Best Director Oscar nomination may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Ben Affleck. No, there are no write-in votes allowed for the Academy Awards, so Affleck will not get a statuette this Sunday night for helming the involving, suspenseful, occasionally accurate Argo. But ever since he was passed over for a nomination, there has been a … [Read more...]
Armory combines art and the runway for fundraiser
A standing-room-only crowd navigated its way around the Armory Art Center last week for the Armory’s first-ever wearable art show and fundraiser ―Fashion ARTillery ― as part of the Armory’s 25-year anniversary celebration. Amid works by Dayron González, Omar Rodriguez Lavandero and New York and Palm Beach-based artist Serge Strosberg, the crowds came out Feb. 7 for a fashion … [Read more...]
Shostakovich symphony shows growth for Lynn Philharmonia
For several years now, the student orchestra at Lynn University has offered high-quality symphonic concerts for area patrons in the know, who show up reliably in substantial numbers. And they are rewarded for their loyalty. Each year, the Lynn Philharmonia gets a little better, as the conservatory programs at the Boca Raton college deepen, and a larger number of promising … [Read more...]