Some people may say that classical music is boring. Or even dead.
This was definitely not the case when I saw Nadja Salerno- Sonnenburg perform with the Westchester Philharmonic. I can tell you, when I saw her play her violin, I wasn’ t even bored for a second!
Nadja is as passionate, feisty, and enthusiastic as any other Italian performer. She displayed that side of her as she barked orders at the string orchestra backing her up, wasn‘t afraid to make jokes about herself, and bounced around on her seat as she played. [click to continue….]
Tagged as:
Astor Piazzolla,
Hungarian Dance #5,
Johannes Brahms,
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg,
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,
Westchester Philharmonic
Dancers in "We Are Weather" by Vanessa Anspaugh. Photo Credit: Michael Hart.
I recently saw a contemporary dance performance in St. Mark’s Church-In-The-Bowery. There were two parts; the first called “I’m Not Coming Back“.
The lights went out, making the scene ominous. A little girl was revealed to be crouching in the middle of the floor when the spotlight illuminated her.
The music came on, surreal and mechanical and clockwork sounding; it sounded steampunk. It was slightly disturbing, but not unpleasant. The other five dancers came out when the music started, shaking their heads and limbs, walking forward with the music, with their eyes closed.
[click to continue….]
Tagged as:
Dance,
Danspace Project,
St. Mark's Church-In-The-Bowery
Karita Mattila accompanied by Martin Katz at Carnegie Hall. Photo Credit: Ian Douglas.
If you think classical music is boring, you’re in for a big surprise…
I went to Carnegie Hall to see Karita Mattila, the famous Finnish soprano, sing in a concert. The hall was beautiful — velvet seats, walls like a gilded shell, and outstanding acoustics.
I was impatient to hear her – I’m choosey about my taste in music, I do not just listen to anything.
She finally stepped on stage with her pianist, Martin Katz, to a tidal wave of applause. Katz sat at the piano, his hand readying for the first note. Mattila opened her mouth — and sang a haunting song in French. [click to continue….]
Tagged as:
Carnegie Hall,
Karita Matilla,
Music
