The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks concert this February 26th and 27th will feature two works by Johannes Brahms and a world premiere of Time Like An Ever Flowing Stream by Knoxville composer M.W. Harrell. You can read my profile of Harrell in this week's Metro Pulse or online here.
The two works by Brahms are the Symphony No. 2 and the Liebeslieder Waltzes.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
REVIEW: Pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski
Russian-born pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski is quite the storyteller. In fact, his performance style draws one along in much the same way a master storyteller is able to use dynamic extremes and subtleties, construction of images, pacing, anticipation, and …surprises.
On Sunday afternoon, Soukhovestski appeared as the second pianist in a series of three concerts under the auspices of the Evelyn Miller Young Pianist Series. His program selections followed a noticeable arc -- Schubert, Strauss, Liszt, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev--although describing exactly what the gradation was would be difficult. I single out two pieces in particular for special note. First-- an arrangement by Percy Grainger of Richard Strauss' Last Love Duet from his opera Der Rosenkavalier ( entitled The Ramble on the Last Love Duet from "Der Rosenkavalier"). Soukhovestski rendered the emotion and drama of the scene with extremes of dynamic subtlety that was thrilling. Second-- the Sonata No. 4 in C Minor, op. 29 of Sergei Prokofiev, written in 1917, is a workout and a test of extremes, probably best not left till last on a program. On the other hand, it ends so exuberantly, it is practically impossible not to feel hopeful, if not optimistic.
On Sunday afternoon, Soukhovestski appeared as the second pianist in a series of three concerts under the auspices of the Evelyn Miller Young Pianist Series. His program selections followed a noticeable arc -- Schubert, Strauss, Liszt, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev--although describing exactly what the gradation was would be difficult. I single out two pieces in particular for special note. First-- an arrangement by Percy Grainger of Richard Strauss' Last Love Duet from his opera Der Rosenkavalier ( entitled The Ramble on the Last Love Duet from "Der Rosenkavalier"). Soukhovestski rendered the emotion and drama of the scene with extremes of dynamic subtlety that was thrilling. Second-- the Sonata No. 4 in C Minor, op. 29 of Sergei Prokofiev, written in 1917, is a workout and a test of extremes, probably best not left till last on a program. On the other hand, it ends so exuberantly, it is practically impossible not to feel hopeful, if not optimistic.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Drop in for a bite at Classical Café
No need for wailing, hand wringing, or gnashing of teeth…Mostly Classical will continue unabated, usually with longer previews and reviews.
But classical commentary is also now available from yours truly in the blog section of the MetroPulse.com site as Classical Cafe. Use that link or navigate to it from the Blog menu on the main page.
Please drop in for a bite.
But classical commentary is also now available from yours truly in the blog section of the MetroPulse.com site as Classical Cafe. Use that link or navigate to it from the Blog menu on the main page.
Please drop in for a bite.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Young Pianist Series
The Evelyn Miller Young Pianist Series has been around since 1980, presenting in concert exciting young pianists who are the beginning of their careers. The second pianist in this year's series of three performers in concert will be Konstantin Soukhovetski, who will perform this Sunday, February 22nd at 2:30 pm. This year's concerts are held at Central Baptist of Bearden, 6300 Deane Hill Drive.
Mr. Soukhovetski is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and was a top winner of the UNISA International Piano Competition, the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the Walter W. Naumburg International Piano Competition, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Information at 865-984-6732.
Mr. Soukhovetski is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and was a top winner of the UNISA International Piano Competition, the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the Walter W. Naumburg International Piano Competition, and the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Information at 865-984-6732.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Seems Like Only Yesterday
1809—two hundred years ago—was obviously a very special year. I seriously doubt that the moon was in the Seventh House or that Jupiter aligned with Mars since the world was not in peace, but in its usual state of war, turmoil and intrigue. England and France were at war, as were Sweden and Russia.
1809 did give birth, though, to an abundance of notable persons who made important contributions to human civilization. In the United States, Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809 as was Kit Carson. Edgar Allan Poe was born in Massachusetts in 1809 as was poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Added to that list of Americans are Europeans Charles Darwin, Louis Braille, Alfred Tennyson, Nikolai Gogol…and Felix Mendelssohn.
Although all of these men contributed significantly to the world, I single out two for special acclaim: Darwin and Mendelssohn…Darwin because he caused great angst among creationists for almost that many years…and Mendelssohn because he was a musical genius whose work ended much too early at the age of 38. The mind boggles at what we might have heard.
We can look forward to a little more Mendelssohn in the next few weeks. The KSO Chamber Series will feature Mendelssohn’s Overture to The Fair Melusina and a reprise of his “Italian” Symphony, the Symphony No. 4. (My review of the “Italian” precedes this post.) Also on the concert will be Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes. There is one performance: Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm, March 1, at the Bijou.
It recently struck me that while Mozart was certainly composing at age 17, his maturity came a few years later. At age 17, Mendelssohn had given the music world the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Mendelssohn fans, the KSO will offer the complete incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in February of next year.
1809 did give birth, though, to an abundance of notable persons who made important contributions to human civilization. In the United States, Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809 as was Kit Carson. Edgar Allan Poe was born in Massachusetts in 1809 as was poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Added to that list of Americans are Europeans Charles Darwin, Louis Braille, Alfred Tennyson, Nikolai Gogol…and Felix Mendelssohn.
Although all of these men contributed significantly to the world, I single out two for special acclaim: Darwin and Mendelssohn…Darwin because he caused great angst among creationists for almost that many years…and Mendelssohn because he was a musical genius whose work ended much too early at the age of 38. The mind boggles at what we might have heard.
We can look forward to a little more Mendelssohn in the next few weeks. The KSO Chamber Series will feature Mendelssohn’s Overture to The Fair Melusina and a reprise of his “Italian” Symphony, the Symphony No. 4. (My review of the “Italian” precedes this post.) Also on the concert will be Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes. There is one performance: Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm, March 1, at the Bijou.
It recently struck me that while Mozart was certainly composing at age 17, his maturity came a few years later. At age 17, Mendelssohn had given the music world the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Mendelssohn fans, the KSO will offer the complete incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in February of next year.
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