Music in NYC: “When Tchaikovsky Met Brahms” Program Presented by Aspect Foundation

Music in NYC: ‘When Tchaikovsky Met Brahms’ Program Presented by Aspect Foundation

Music by Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Grieg complemented by an illustrated talk about the composers’ relationship is on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7.30 pm at the Italian Academy of Columbia University 

Violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, pianist Wu Qian
Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin and Wu Qian, piano / Image courtesy of the artists

The reputed Sitkovetsky Duo with violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, and pianist Wu Qian will perform a delightful music program preceded by a scholarly lecture by professor Nicolas Chong. The evening’s theme is a story about the Romantic period’s grand masters: Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Grieg.

It is well-known that Brahms, a giant of the German school, and Tchaikovsky, the most popular Russian composer of all time had an acrimonious relationship. While they shared a birthday, March 7, and belonged to the same circle of friends and music connoisseurs, the story goes that they disliked each other’s music and were not that friendly with each other. This did not prevent them from sharing friends and spending good time in each other’s company. Grieg who with his wife was also part of the same social circle was skillfully able to smooth things out between the other two composers. 

The program on March 6, 2019 at Italian Academy of Columbia University features the works of all three:

Brahms Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
Tchaikovsky Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42
Grieg Sonata No. 3 in C minor

The program highlights the strength of the individual style of composition and will make you forget the behind the scenes gossips. Get tickets at 33% off with code ARTSNY23 at checkout when attending the Aspect Foundation Concert Series for the first time. 

BUY TICKETS

  Read More

Theater in NYC: The Dance of Death by August Strindberg at Classic Stage Company

Theater in NYC: The Dance of Death by August Strindberg at Classic Stage Company

August Strindberg’s 19th-century drama The Dance of Death opens in repertory at the Classic Stage Company from February 10, 2019 through March 10, 2019

Christopher Invar, Cassie Beck, Rich Tool in AUGUST STRINDBERG, Dance of Death at Classic Stage Company
Christopher Innvar, Cassie Beck, Rich Topol in AUGUST STRINDBERG, Dance of Death at Classic Stage Company; photo by Joan Marcus

A discerning examination of a married couple’s bond is observed by August Strindberg in The Dance of Death, which is staged by Classic Stage Company. Strindberg’s play, adapted for this new version by Conor McPherson and directed by Victoria Clark, was written in 1900 when the playwright himself was in the midst of a divorce. The elements of Strindberg’s personal life, the ills of Sweden’s society at the turn of the previous century, the ever-present concerns about complacency, competing intentions, and ubiquitous soul-searching are all interwoven into the story.

Stuck on a remote island at the coastal artillery outpost, the couple’s relationships grew from slight annoyance with each other to open contempt. Haunted by the aversion to their associates and the disdain of their superiors, Edgar, authentically played by Richard Topol, and his wife Alice, accurately portrayed by Cassie Beck, isolate themselves to the company of each other with no discernible way out of the tense situation. The arrival of their old friend and relative Kurt, played with ease by Christopher Innvar, promises a chance of revival and change. Yet, in Strindberg’s keen depiction of reality, the dark forces dominate and the jabs only get more potent furling the couple closer together in their unhappy dance to the end.  Get tickets at 56% off with TodayTIX

BUY TICKETS

 

Read More

Beyond NYC: Classical Music Concert “All about Love” at Bronxville Women’s Club

Beyond NYC: Classical Music Concert “All about Love” at Bronxville Women’s Club

Classical music program “All about LOVE” serenades your Valentine with music by Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Heifetz/Gershwin, and Shostakovich at Bronxville Women’s Club on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 7.30 pm

Shem Guibbory, violin; Oxana Mikhailoff, piano; Robert Burkhart, cello
Shem Guibbory, violin; Oxana Mikhailoff, piano; Robert Burkhart, cello / Images are courtesy of the artists

The Midland Concert Series at the Bronxville Women’s Club invites all music lovers to this fantastic celebration of love. The program features pianist Oxana Mikhailoff, violinist Shem Guiborry, and cellist Robert Burkhart.

Whether you like romantic music or prefer a jazzy vibe of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess or are a fan of the tense melodic beauties of Shostakovich’s Preludes, you will find all of them in the program and you will love them.

Its All about LOVE!

Bring your love to the lovely Bronxville Women’s Club to celebrate with the rest of the music-loving crowd.

 

BUY TICKETS

 

Read More

Theater in NY: About Alice at TFANA in Brooklyn, NY

Theater in NY: About Alice at TFANA in Brooklyn, NY

Theatre For a New Audience presents a play by Calvin Trillin “About Alice” on January 8 – February 3, 2019

Carrie Paff as Alice, Jeffrey Bean as Calvin in "About Alice" at TFANA
Carrie Paff as Alice, Jeffrey Bean as Calvin in “About Alice” at TFANA; photo by Henry Grossman

Shortly after Calvin Trillin’s memoir “About Alice” was published  in 2007, it was adapted by the author for a two-character play. Trillin, a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, wrote movingly about his late wife Alice in several books and essays.  At the suggestion of TFANA artistic director Jeffrey Horowitz who knew Alice when she was making an educational series on PBS, the work on the play “About Alice” continued for some time culminating in this theatrical run at TFANA.

The genuine performance by Jeffrey Bean as Calvin Trillin and Carrie Paff as Alice tell a touching story of how they met at a party, fell in love, and kept the precious light of their love burning for many years. It is telling that when a shorter version of the memoir “Alice, Off the Page” appeared in The New Yorker, people who did not know Alice personally kept writing to Mr. Trillin about their fascination with his wife’s cheerful nature, happiness with the world around her, and a sense of wholeness. With humor and utmost love the play tactfully lets the audience into the family life with all of its ups and downs. Get tickets at 56% off with TodayTIX

 

BUY TICKETS

 

 

Read More

Music in NYC: Classical Vienna Chamber Music Presented by Aspect Foundation

Music in NYC: Classical Vienna Chamber Music Presented by Aspect Foundation

The spirit of Classical Vienna gets recreated by The Orion String Quartet and clarinetist Alexander Bedenko at Bohemian National Hall in New York City on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 7.30 pm

Members of The Orion String Quartet
The Orion String Quartet / Photo Credit: Andreas Hafenscher

Chamber music with its air of intimacy and personal touch is elevated to the new heights in the programs presented by Aspect Foundation. Music and literature of a particular epoch, composers, musicians, writers, and their circles all have a place in its programs. Multi-layered scholarly presentations about the time, place and people who left lasting marks on world cultural history are vividly delivered by the leading experts in the arts.

Clarinetist Alexander Bedenko
Alexander Bedenko / Image courtesy of the artist

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019 The Orion String Quartet will be joined by clarinetist Alexander Bedenko and WQXR radio host Elliott Forrest for an evening of music by Haydn and Mozart and an illustrated talk about the transformational time in Vienna between Classical and Romantic periods. Courage, change, pre-revolutionary ideas were the subjects of debate in Vienna at the time and you will hear them and about them at the concert. Expect more than just a musical performance and be ready for a deep yet entertaining dive into history and behind the scenes tales.

BUY TICKETS Use code ARTSNY23 at checkout for 33% discount

 

Read More