Columbus, Ohio is known for its infamous Big Ten football team, The Buckeyes of The Ohio State University. Yet outside Columbus, many do not realize that my adopted city is home to a thriving arts scene. Discriminating customers of the arts, will find that Columbus is home to several incredible chamber music organizations. In the past few years, I have attended Chamber Music Columbus concerts, in the acoustically perfect, Great Southern Theater.
I had the good fortune on December 16, 2017 to attend a concert of the Escher String Quartet with pianist Jon Nakamatsu. I am a fan of chamber music, but I add that I am definitely a fan of Jon Nakamatsu. When I think of my favorite pianists, I think of this quintet, Emmanuel Ax, Angela Hewitt, Kathryn Stott, Jon Nakamatsu, and Jean Yves Thibaudet. So when I saw that Jon was coming to Columbus, I simply had to attend. If nothing else, the concert would be a glorious way to celebrate Beethoven's birthday.
The concert was amazing. The Escher Quartet started off the program with Mozart's Quartet in B-flat major, K. 458 otherwise known as "The Hunt." Mozart continues to be my absolute favorite classical composer, and the chamber music he composed is beautiful. There was another work by Thomas Ades, called Arcadiana. It was very modern but like eating grand cuisine, I am willing to try anything
Then the Escher String Quartet, performed Erno Dohnanyi's Quintet in C minor, with Jon at the grand piano. Escher takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher, inspired by Escher's method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole. I love this description, so apt in terms of chamber music!
Dohnanyi was a Hungarian composer, and this was the first time I had the opportunity to listen to this beautiful chamber music work. I had forgotten what attention to detail is necessary to perform such a beautiful chamber music set with five movements. All in all, it was an incredible evening of exciting chamber music. Sometimes I hear friends say that classical music is boring. Well, then you might find your musical place at a chamber music concert. There is always something knew to listen to and learn about. You also get to see firsthand, the commitment that chamber musicians make to each other and the audience. I do not have a disc of the Escher, but I plan to get one very soon.
What a country, to hear such incredible musicians, including one of my top favorite pianists Jon Nakamatsu, in our incredible Southern Theater. I am very blessed indeed.
As luck would have it, I am friends with Charlie Warner, who is a labor and employment attorney with the law firm of Porter Wright. Charlie is a consummate arts aficionado, and he extended an invitation to my husband Mark and me, to attend an after concert reception, where we could meet Jon.
As an amateur pianist, meeting Jon Nakamatsu was just another fine example of "dying and going to heaven." As a Gold Medal Winner of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, I purchased his Chopin cd, that included Impromptus, the Fantaisie-Impromptu, Mazurkas and Polonaises. The cd is still one of my favorites, and a "go to" when ever I want to be inspired by beautiful playing.
Getting a chance to meet with Jon was a dream come true. He was incredibly kind and gracious, and I hope he returns to Columbus very soon. His playing was truly wonderful, and it was simply an honor to be in attendance. And one of his classmates from Stanford showed up at the after concert reception, so it is good to know that folks are following his exciting career as a concert pianist.
I add that Jon was happy to chat with his fans. I guess what I find so appealing about Jon, was the fact that he was a high school German teacher, before winning the Cliburn. And with his concertizing he is changing up classical music in an inspirational and positive way.
Jon is also the Artistic Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival. I hope to get there, since it is on my musical bucket list. He also had the same piano teacher, Marina Derryberry for most of his life. There is something so admirable about great loyalty. He also studied with Karl Schnabel, which enhances his already impressive resume.
I believe the Great Southern Theatre, lives up to his concertizing expectations, because it is in fact the second time I have heard Jon play in this venue.
I have lived in Columbus for over 30 years, and I never give up, on the citizens of this city and their commitment to the arts. To have a piano gem like Jon Nakamatsu performing in our fair city, is such a gift. I hope he will continue to introduce us to new and exciting chamber music works. The piano never ceases to amaze me.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Beyond Czerny and Hanon Exercises
As a long time student of the piano, I have done my fair share of Hanon and Czerny exercises. At times, one can get bored with the repetitive nature of these exercises. Yet at the same time, when you really analyze what the exercises are working on, often strengthening of a specific finger pattern, you come to appreciate the value of these tried and true etudes.
I know I have mentioned before in this blog, that one of my teachers Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, who is a piano professor at Otterbein University. As a pre-teen she actually played Czerny Exercise #5 in a piano recital. I must admit, that over the years it has become one of my favorites. It is fast, and has the quality and intricacy of a piano sonatina or sonata. It actually is fun, and whether you play it slowly or speed it up, you can sound like you know what you are doing.
So beyond Czerny and Hanon there is Stephen Heller. Born in Hungary in 1814, Mr. Heller developed a career as a brilliant pianist, and from the notes of my Heller book by Lynn Freeman Olson, he actually studied as a boy with Carl Czerny. Quoting Maestro Heller, his purpose in writing the etudes was "not only to help the development of finger ability,but also to enable both students and amateurs to perform a composition with the expression, grace elegance, or verve demanded by the work."
Well, to quote a famous movie line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding...."there you go" I guess I should have read the music notes before I started conquering the etudes. Perhaps I would have been a bit more tolerant of the work required of these gems, to become a more capable pianist.
So now to focus on the Etude in E Major Opus 45, No. 20. This is an exercise that can bring out the expletives in even an upstanding person like myself. From the view of the amateur, there are a number of partial arpeggios that require you to use the fingering patterns that are in the edition. In my line of work as a lawyer, we legal types often think we know everything. Well when it comes to piano fingering, I have learned, I DON"T.
The next tricky aspect to this etude in particular, is playing legato notes in the right hand, and staccato notes in the left. I can add that for an older student, this probably works important parts of your brain, and could contribute to sustaining your memory. Maestro Heller does let you off the hook,starting around measure 68 with a passage, that is more like a simple sonatina. So if you can conquer the first two pages, the third and fourth pages offer smooth sailing ahead.
I often start my practice sessions playing popular music of the days. But in my stacks of music, Czerny, Hanon and Heller, are there, and you can't ignore them, if you want to play with more ability, control and even elegance. So pianists, put on your poker faces, grit your teeth and jump in. You will be glad you did. And quoting Lynn Freeman Olson the editor of my Heller edition, "And do keep in mind Heller's own goal of finger "ability" as a servant of the expression inherent in each piece."
I know I have mentioned before in this blog, that one of my teachers Dr. Suzanne Newcomb, who is a piano professor at Otterbein University. As a pre-teen she actually played Czerny Exercise #5 in a piano recital. I must admit, that over the years it has become one of my favorites. It is fast, and has the quality and intricacy of a piano sonatina or sonata. It actually is fun, and whether you play it slowly or speed it up, you can sound like you know what you are doing.
So beyond Czerny and Hanon there is Stephen Heller. Born in Hungary in 1814, Mr. Heller developed a career as a brilliant pianist, and from the notes of my Heller book by Lynn Freeman Olson, he actually studied as a boy with Carl Czerny. Quoting Maestro Heller, his purpose in writing the etudes was "not only to help the development of finger ability,but also to enable both students and amateurs to perform a composition with the expression, grace elegance, or verve demanded by the work."
Well, to quote a famous movie line from My Big Fat Greek Wedding...."there you go" I guess I should have read the music notes before I started conquering the etudes. Perhaps I would have been a bit more tolerant of the work required of these gems, to become a more capable pianist.
So now to focus on the Etude in E Major Opus 45, No. 20. This is an exercise that can bring out the expletives in even an upstanding person like myself. From the view of the amateur, there are a number of partial arpeggios that require you to use the fingering patterns that are in the edition. In my line of work as a lawyer, we legal types often think we know everything. Well when it comes to piano fingering, I have learned, I DON"T.
The next tricky aspect to this etude in particular, is playing legato notes in the right hand, and staccato notes in the left. I can add that for an older student, this probably works important parts of your brain, and could contribute to sustaining your memory. Maestro Heller does let you off the hook,starting around measure 68 with a passage, that is more like a simple sonatina. So if you can conquer the first two pages, the third and fourth pages offer smooth sailing ahead.
I often start my practice sessions playing popular music of the days. But in my stacks of music, Czerny, Hanon and Heller, are there, and you can't ignore them, if you want to play with more ability, control and even elegance. So pianists, put on your poker faces, grit your teeth and jump in. You will be glad you did. And quoting Lynn Freeman Olson the editor of my Heller edition, "And do keep in mind Heller's own goal of finger "ability" as a servant of the expression inherent in each piece."
Thursday, August 17, 2017
The piano will save you
The title of my blog post references two conversations I had with my mother over the years. One took place, I believe when I was in college in the 1970s, the other when I was a young mother in the 1990s and my mom moved our little Baldwin piano to my house.
Both conversations took place in the context, that even if I was not going to pursue a career that involved piano, the piano, and the time I spent in lessons would "save me" during multiple peaks and valleys in my life. In my early twenties, I laughed off my mother's statement as almost ridiculous, and in my early 40's I was simply too busy juggling the balls, of work, and family to think that anyone could save me from my far too busy life.
But now that I am in my 61st year, I finally understand what my mom was saying, and how much the piano has saved me from so many things, recuperation from "discussions" with adult children, making mistakes with friends that cannot be turned around, anxiety and worry from job pressures, working through family peaks and valleys both immediate and extended, and many other situations that make up life.
I now admit that all of the lessons have paid off, in the sense that I have a place to turn to, and a place where I can create, sort of a no judgment, no ridicule zone. Whether it is working through a classical piece that is far too difficult, or leafing through a book of popular music, I can find music that will make any day better, even if I can only plink out the melody.
The practice of law can be so challenging, that sometimes, the worries can only be removed, when I play a Beatles song, a Mozart sonata, or a Bach prelude. I can make the day better, just by getting to my peaceful place of 88 keys.
Music also helps me to work through how I interact with friends and families. Through music, I can understand fences I need to mend, or bridges I need to build. Music can be the background to devising a solution for almost any problem. Music can also speak, when honestly, no words are exactly right.
When I first started taking piano lessons and playing, I sometimes became caught up in the smaller picture, glossing over a difficult measure to play through, or not practicing scales and arpeggios diligently, to improve my dexterity and hand position. Perhaps if I had thought about what the piano would mean to me later in life, I would have realized how much I needed to look at the big picture, and the difference piano playing would make to me in so many ways.
I've mentioned in prior blog posts, how grateful I am when I come down the stairs and see my beautiful piano in the living room. I think of all of the ways the piano by its very presence has changed my life. And how my ability to play it, has taken me through the joys and struggles in my life. It's quite amazing actually!
Both conversations took place in the context, that even if I was not going to pursue a career that involved piano, the piano, and the time I spent in lessons would "save me" during multiple peaks and valleys in my life. In my early twenties, I laughed off my mother's statement as almost ridiculous, and in my early 40's I was simply too busy juggling the balls, of work, and family to think that anyone could save me from my far too busy life.
But now that I am in my 61st year, I finally understand what my mom was saying, and how much the piano has saved me from so many things, recuperation from "discussions" with adult children, making mistakes with friends that cannot be turned around, anxiety and worry from job pressures, working through family peaks and valleys both immediate and extended, and many other situations that make up life.
I now admit that all of the lessons have paid off, in the sense that I have a place to turn to, and a place where I can create, sort of a no judgment, no ridicule zone. Whether it is working through a classical piece that is far too difficult, or leafing through a book of popular music, I can find music that will make any day better, even if I can only plink out the melody.
The practice of law can be so challenging, that sometimes, the worries can only be removed, when I play a Beatles song, a Mozart sonata, or a Bach prelude. I can make the day better, just by getting to my peaceful place of 88 keys.
Music also helps me to work through how I interact with friends and families. Through music, I can understand fences I need to mend, or bridges I need to build. Music can be the background to devising a solution for almost any problem. Music can also speak, when honestly, no words are exactly right.
When I first started taking piano lessons and playing, I sometimes became caught up in the smaller picture, glossing over a difficult measure to play through, or not practicing scales and arpeggios diligently, to improve my dexterity and hand position. Perhaps if I had thought about what the piano would mean to me later in life, I would have realized how much I needed to look at the big picture, and the difference piano playing would make to me in so many ways.
I've mentioned in prior blog posts, how grateful I am when I come down the stairs and see my beautiful piano in the living room. I think of all of the ways the piano by its very presence has changed my life. And how my ability to play it, has taken me through the joys and struggles in my life. It's quite amazing actually!
I renamed my blog
I loved the idea of my blog title 10000hours88keys. I had listened to several radio segments about the concept of becoming an expert after spending 10000 hours trying to develop an expertise. I thought of the 10000 hours as a potential goal.
As an adult amateur pianist, I began to get very discouraged about practicing for 10000 hours. I even started to determine, using a calculator, if I practiced 2 hours a day for the next thirteen years, that would result in 10000 hours, and I would be 74. 10000 hours seemed far too daunting.
That might have been possible, when I didn't have a job, didn't have responsibilities, and honestly when I had more energy. So I thought it through and said to myself, "Rose, what if you took your practice time week by week and simply tried to devote a focused amount of time each day, to half the assigned pieces of your lesson, or learning a piece of popular music of the day."
A focused hour sounds possible, whereas 10000 hours can seem like the impossible. And what about the crazy weekday, when the best you can give is 20 minutes. Well 20 minutes is better than nothing. Sort of like working out, 20 minutes walking around the block, beats 3 hours in your favorite chair watching teevee.
So I have renamed my blog FocusedHour88keys.
As an adult amateur pianist, I began to get very discouraged about practicing for 10000 hours. I even started to determine, using a calculator, if I practiced 2 hours a day for the next thirteen years, that would result in 10000 hours, and I would be 74. 10000 hours seemed far too daunting.
That might have been possible, when I didn't have a job, didn't have responsibilities, and honestly when I had more energy. So I thought it through and said to myself, "Rose, what if you took your practice time week by week and simply tried to devote a focused amount of time each day, to half the assigned pieces of your lesson, or learning a piece of popular music of the day."
A focused hour sounds possible, whereas 10000 hours can seem like the impossible. And what about the crazy weekday, when the best you can give is 20 minutes. Well 20 minutes is better than nothing. Sort of like working out, 20 minutes walking around the block, beats 3 hours in your favorite chair watching teevee.
So I have renamed my blog FocusedHour88keys.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Matthew Ebright
My husband and I both engaged in barbershop quartet singing over the years. When we were in our twenties, Mark was member of the Motor City Chorus in Detroit, Michigan and I was in a Farmington Hills, Michigan Sweet Adelines Chorus. After we got married, my husband sang in the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio, and I sang in Columbus based, Scioto Valley Chorus of the Sweet Adelines.
Although we don't commit to barbershop singing in our current busy lives, we still love to attend barbershop shows and competitions. The Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and Sweet Adelines, have brought us many hours of musical happiness in participating and singing in this amazing art form.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Singing Buckeyes performance with the Bishop Watterson High School jazz band. Both of our children performed in the Jazz Band, and we cannot say enough about the band's director Mike Renzi and his incredible musical talent.
The concert featured both the Singing Buckeyes Chorus, as well as the Watterson Jazz band. And the concert also featured pianist Matthew Ebright. Mr. Ebirght has worked as a featured pianist for Prince Cruises as well as being a music director for various theater productions. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from The Ohio State University. Matthew has also served as accompanist and assistant direct of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.
Currently Matthew works as the primary accompanist for several high school choral programs throughout the Columbus metropolitan area.
Matthew played several jazz numbers with great technical prowess. He also accompanied the Watterson Jazz Band with their rendition of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Look for Mr. Ebright to go very far professionally. With just a small glimpse of his performance style, he seems to be able to move freely through the various musical genres.
It was an incredible evening among amateur musicians who simply love music.
Although we don't commit to barbershop singing in our current busy lives, we still love to attend barbershop shows and competitions. The Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and Sweet Adelines, have brought us many hours of musical happiness in participating and singing in this amazing art form.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Singing Buckeyes performance with the Bishop Watterson High School jazz band. Both of our children performed in the Jazz Band, and we cannot say enough about the band's director Mike Renzi and his incredible musical talent.
The concert featured both the Singing Buckeyes Chorus, as well as the Watterson Jazz band. And the concert also featured pianist Matthew Ebright. Mr. Ebirght has worked as a featured pianist for Prince Cruises as well as being a music director for various theater productions. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from The Ohio State University. Matthew has also served as accompanist and assistant direct of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.
Currently Matthew works as the primary accompanist for several high school choral programs throughout the Columbus metropolitan area.
Matthew played several jazz numbers with great technical prowess. He also accompanied the Watterson Jazz Band with their rendition of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Look for Mr. Ebright to go very far professionally. With just a small glimpse of his performance style, he seems to be able to move freely through the various musical genres.
It was an incredible evening among amateur musicians who simply love music.
Aaron Diehl and Cecile McLorin Salvant
One of my musical pipe dreams has been to attend a concert at the Barns at Wolf Trap, in suburban Washington D.C. Our daughter granted our wish, when she obtained tickets for jazz pianist Aaron Diehl and singer Cecile McLorin Salvant. The occasion---to celebrate our upcoming 30th anniversary this August 29th, and going to this concert was a great way to start our anniversary year.
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
Monday, May 22, 2017
Caroline Hong, Mother's Day and Rhapsody in Blue
Caroline Hong - Rhapsody in Blue
So if you are an amateur pianist, I think it is necessary that you give back to the arts, in gratitude, for being able to play such an amazing instrument. I live in Worthington Ohio, about 1/2 hour from Columbus, Ohio, and I was involved with a group of people who raised funds and awareness to create an arts center from the original Thomas Worthington High School. That process, is a topic for another blog post.
The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, as it is called, offers amazing programming, enhancing the cultural climate of our lovely, little city.
Since my adult children are out of town, my mom died in 2004, and my mother in law had other plans, I had to think of a way to have an enjoyable mother's day. My husband, Mark and I decided to attend the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra performance with Caroline Hong playing Rhapsody in Blue.
Let me digress for a moment about the Chamber Orchestra. Antoine Clark is the orchestra's music director, and frankly he is amazing. The concert had a bit of a casual feel, as Dr. Clark took the time to comment on the selections for the program entitled Symphonic Jazz. A clarinetist by profession, Dr Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Ohio State University. He took the time to make the audience feel right at home, and I think his commentary set the tone for a fun and creative first half. Selections by Ellington and Milhaud were amazing, and the first half of the concert concluded with Ragtime music by Scott Joplin.
I also add that my piano teacher Suzanne Newcomb, is the pianist for the Chamber Orchestra. A gifted musician in her own right, I never tire of watching Suzanne perform. Her focus, and determination comes through when ever her fingers meet the piano keys, and one can always count on her to create amazing collaborations with her fellow musicians. Suzanne is a gift to the Central Ohio arts community. So if you haven't taken time to hear this creative chamber Orchestra, you need to take a moment, look at the website, and firm up something on your calendar for the Fall/Winter season.
The second half of the concert was an amazing performance by Caroline Hong, of Rhapsody in Blue. Caroline is a very accomplished pianist and is currently an associate professor at The Ohio State University. Caroline plays in an elegant, sophisticated manner. But Rhapsody in Blue, showcases every aspect of a pianist's technique, and Caroline was able to move through the various elements of the work, with strength, stamina, style and grace. I am always amazed when I watch a pianist perform with any orchestra. Just looking at the orchestra, and watching a very poised Caroline Hong waiting for her cues, sent shivers up my spine. She played with such great strength and grandeur, and the orchestra gave a wonderful performance, of this familiar work. I think that Ms. Hong brought the Rhapsody to the people. Even if you have heard excerpts of this musical masterpiece over and over again, it is always wonderful, to hear a fresh take on the genius of George Gershwin.
All and all, it was a great way to have a beautiful mother's day. And on that note, in the row behind us was, Caroline's husband and her sweet little son. I turned at the end, and saw him joyously clapping for his mom. He has so much to be proud of, and I am sure Ms. Hong was proud of his attentiveness during a glorious performance. Okay, my children were out of town, and my mom is in heaven, but the concert made the cherished Mother's Day holiday, quite lovely and amazing.
Since my adult children are out of town, my mom died in 2004, and my mother in law had other plans, I had to think of a way to have an enjoyable mother's day. My husband, Mark and I decided to attend the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra performance with Caroline Hong playing Rhapsody in Blue.
Let me digress for a moment about the Chamber Orchestra. Antoine Clark is the orchestra's music director, and frankly he is amazing. The concert had a bit of a casual feel, as Dr. Clark took the time to comment on the selections for the program entitled Symphonic Jazz. A clarinetist by profession, Dr Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Ohio State University. He took the time to make the audience feel right at home, and I think his commentary set the tone for a fun and creative first half. Selections by Ellington and Milhaud were amazing, and the first half of the concert concluded with Ragtime music by Scott Joplin.
I also add that my piano teacher Suzanne Newcomb, is the pianist for the Chamber Orchestra. A gifted musician in her own right, I never tire of watching Suzanne perform. Her focus, and determination comes through when ever her fingers meet the piano keys, and one can always count on her to create amazing collaborations with her fellow musicians. Suzanne is a gift to the Central Ohio arts community. So if you haven't taken time to hear this creative chamber Orchestra, you need to take a moment, look at the website, and firm up something on your calendar for the Fall/Winter season.
The second half of the concert was an amazing performance by Caroline Hong, of Rhapsody in Blue. Caroline is a very accomplished pianist and is currently an associate professor at The Ohio State University. Caroline plays in an elegant, sophisticated manner. But Rhapsody in Blue, showcases every aspect of a pianist's technique, and Caroline was able to move through the various elements of the work, with strength, stamina, style and grace. I am always amazed when I watch a pianist perform with any orchestra. Just looking at the orchestra, and watching a very poised Caroline Hong waiting for her cues, sent shivers up my spine. She played with such great strength and grandeur, and the orchestra gave a wonderful performance, of this familiar work. I think that Ms. Hong brought the Rhapsody to the people. Even if you have heard excerpts of this musical masterpiece over and over again, it is always wonderful, to hear a fresh take on the genius of George Gershwin.
All and all, it was a great way to have a beautiful mother's day. And on that note, in the row behind us was, Caroline's husband and her sweet little son. I turned at the end, and saw him joyously clapping for his mom. He has so much to be proud of, and I am sure Ms. Hong was proud of his attentiveness during a glorious performance. Okay, my children were out of town, and my mom is in heaven, but the concert made the cherished Mother's Day holiday, quite lovely and amazing.
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