Discoveries: Arts and Culture

What was divine for me:  Philharmonia Baroque and this concert with the foremost piano forte player in the world, or the young and passionate and brilliant Kristian Bezuidenhout.   First we heard Symphony no. 27 in G Major, and then Kristian played the Concerto for Fortepiano No. 23 in A. Major after which, if we could listen to anything more, we were sent off with the Symphony no. 39 in E. Flat Major. Born in South Africa, he was first educated in Australia and then at the Eastman School of music and now lives in London. At 21 he won the prestigious first international prize in the Beruges Fortepiano Competition.  Charming style...won me over, and improved my mood! The piece played was completed while Mozart was composing "The Marriage of Figaro" and is known for "being perfect in its proportions, formal clarity and range of expression."  That certainly sounds like what I heard.     The year is 1785-86.  I favor the 18th century; it seems more aliv...

This orchestra in its 34th year never ceases to amaze.   Having been on tour to Europe, and to Carnegie Hall in New York, this year, it is as bright and intelligent, but never pedantic, as ever. McGegan was educated at Cambridge and Oxford universities and has an OBE from the Queen in 2010 "for services to music overseas." Various recordings have won Grammy nominations, and best in the Classical music world  The orchestra plays in Palo Alto for the Stanford community as well as at Berkeley, and in San Francisco.  McGegan will play in Baltimore January 2-4 and again on February 12-15 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as well as in St Louis and Dallas.    Dominique La Belle sang beautifully, the Hayden, Ave Regina Coelorum in A major , with the Chorale directed by Bruce Lamott.  Then, she sang the Antonio Vivaldi(1678-1741)  Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) in D Major, RV 807, and Jan Dismas Zelenka's Missa Nativitatis Domini  both with Christoph...