Baz Dreisinger is an associate professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the City University of New York, where she founded the Prison-to-College Pipeline program. In this new book, she recounts her travels to nine nations to examine their prison systems and compare them with U.S. incarceration practices. Dreisinger joins a growing chorus of U.S. leaders who … [Read more...]
U.S. pianist’s Chopin survey impresses as she heads to Warsaw
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...]
Paul Simon survey entertaining, moving
By Dale King Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon creates message melodies for all seasons — and has done so for a half-century, either in concert with partner Art Garfunkel or on his own. He has perfected an array of musical genres — folk, rock ’n’ roll, reggae, gospel and African chorale — and his lyrics paint poignant word pictures. Florida Theatre Productions Inc. pays … [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...]