The Jazz Nutcracker
Maureen and I attended the Jazz Nutcracker last night. It was presented by the Point Park University Conservatory Dance Company at the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Duke Ellington in the 1950's composed a jazz rendition of "The Nutcracker Suite," including "The Magical Chinaman," "The Flapper and Dude," "The Arabesque Cookies" (after the Arabian Dancers), and "The Sugar Rum Fairy," all danced by the vaudevillan guests at Clara's theatrical family. Another recognizable Tchaikovsky cum jazz riff included "The Cabaret Awakens" at the beginning of Act II. The "It Don't Mean a Thing Swing" was a pure joyful jazz number right after the "Floreador Finale," followed by Clara's journey home.
The music was spectacular, the numbers beautifully crafted by Doug Bentz, a friend of Maureen's, and the dancers talented and appropriately in character, setting the mood and tone of each scene. The part of Clara last night was danced by Ashley Zimmerman, a ballet major who got the part over other students with less classical, more jazzier training. Bravi!
This rendition of the Nutcracker made me realize that this story is basically about two parents that hold a party, invite all their friends, and invite "Uncle" Drosselmeyer, who is an expert hypnotist, to the party. He hypnotizes the party, save sixteen-year-old Clara, whom he dances with, and to whom he gives a Nutcracker. The Uncle then encourages Clara to partner-dance with the now-life-sized wooden doll, and they go to a nightclub/cabaret to see recreations of the vaudeville acts of the party guests. The depiction of the Uncle was appropriately eerie at times, and only added to the overall effect.
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Afterwards, Maureen and I went to Eat N Park for a burger and liver and onions.
Labels: dance, Pittsburgh, Tchaikovsky, theater
Sunny Sunday Afternoon
I'm typing while listening to a Tchaikovsky piece on the radio from Balanchine's Jewels ("String Serenade" Serenade for strings [or piano, 4 hands] in C major, Op. 48). The late afternoon summer sun is streaming into the west-facing window. After a three-hour-long nap, this typing with a slight delay in appearance on the computer screen is fine---a slow, sleepy end-of-day.
Chatting with Christoph about his research is enlightening and makes me realize how common across the sciences and health sciences research issues are.
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Dinner follows, and a sit in front of Mom & Dad's television set...a movie with Debra Messing and the beginning of Titanic...a check of my email, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra playing "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky as orchestrated by Ravel, conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
Labels: blogs, Choir, dance, friends, music, phone, PSO, Ravel, research, Tchaikovsky, TV, writing
Mannheim Steamroller
Wednesday Maureen and I went to a performance of the Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller. Chip Davis, the founder, was not performing that night due to a recent medical procedure. The group performing was from the East Coast tour, and performed
Hallelujah
Feliz Navidad
Dec the Halls
We Three Kings
Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue
Messengers of Christmas
Faeries (an arrangement of the Sugar Plum Fairy movement from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker)
Good King Wenceslas
White Christmas
Intermission
Gagliarda
In dulci Jubilo
Wassail, Wassail
Carol of the Birds
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Christmas Lullaby
Carol of the Bells
The encore consisted of Silent Night and Angels we Have Heard on High. We were thrilled by the music of the group. The second half was heavy with videographed visuals of Medieval minstrels performing for a banquet, as well as the preparations in a Medieval kitchen.
We dined at Mr. Rogers's favorite dessert place afterwards, and enjoyed a jazz combo up to the time we departed.
Labels: Christmas, dining, friends, music, Tchaikovsky
No Debate Viewing for Me--Joshua Bell at the PSO
After his office hours this afternoon, I met up with Tom to catch the bus downtown for dinner and an evening at the symphony. We had dinner at the Pan-Asian restaurant down the street from Heinz Hall. I enjoyed the fried noodles with pork, egg, and dried fish. Tom had the ribs in sauce. I had Thai iced tea and jackfruit flan for dessert, and Tom enjoyed coffee and cheesecake.
We saw Doug, and Nancy & Tom before the program started. The PSO opened the season with the Star-Spangled Banner, and we enjoyed
John Adams : Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky : Violin Concerto (Mr. Bell)
Gustav Mahler : Symphony No. 1 "Titan"
The Tchaikovsky piece was performed emotively, was simply wonderful. Josh and the orchestra moved some members of the audience to stand and applaud after only the first movement!
At intermission we were the third party to meet with Josh Bell. He signed my CD and remembered me from his visit to Pittsburgh last season. Nancy & Tom bid goodnight to Tom and I during intermission. After intermission, we listened to the Mahler piece (alternately dramatic and placid).
In catching the bus, we ran into Jan, Joe & Tina. We all caught the same bus home and enjoyed chatting with each other.
Labels: Bell, dining, friends, Mahler, PSO, Tchaikovsky, work
