Arts

Academy Art Museum Announces November Events

October 28, 2020 by Academy Art Museum Leave a Comment

EXHIBITIONS

The following Academy Art Museum exhibitions are sponsored by the Talbot County Arts Council, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Star Democrat. Open daily, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Accidental Icons: Warhol’s Photography
Through January 17, 2021
From the late 1950s until his death, Andy Warhol produced thousands of photographs of his Factory life, surrounded by fellow artists, celebrities, and socialites. Warhol’s Polaroids and silver gelatin prints are lesser-known compared to his monumental silkscreens, drawing, and films that transformed the course of American art. From close, brightly-lit Polaroids (some of which served as drafts for his silkscreens), to lucid yet moody silver gelatin prints of the people, objects, and places of his time, Warhol created a visual diary that transformed the personalities in his midst into vernacular icons.

This exhibition offers a glimpse into Warhol’s photographic oeuvre. Actresses Jane Fonda and Pia Zadora; Native American artist and activist RC Gorman; socialite and trophy hunter Elsa Talayero; model Juliana Siu; basketball star Kareem Abdul Jabbar and author Truman Capote make appearances in Warhol’s photographs, bringing together threads from the New York City scene that arguably made, and was later sustained by, Warhol. The exhibition includes works on loan from the Salisbury University Art Galleries.

Andy Warhol, Jane Fonda, 1982, Polacolor Type 2, Courtesy of Salisbury University and the Andy Warhol Foundation.

The Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Selections Lesser Known and Unseen Works from the Vogel Collection
Through November 29, 2020
This exhibition presents highlights and previously-unexhibited works from the Vogel Collection. The Academy Art Museum was honored as the Maryland recipient of the Collection’s 50 Works for 50 States initiative in 2008. Featuring works on paper and sculptures by prominent contemporary artists such as Richard Tuttle, André Cadere, Robert Barry, Steve Keister, Moshe Kupferman, Lucio Pozzi, Edda Renouf, and others, the exhibition reveals both the landscape of 20th-century American art and the story of an exceptional collection.

The selection presents some of the most illustrious examples of abstract and minimalist art in America that address the profound socioeconomic and creative transformations of the postwar period. From Tuttle’s whimsical but interpretative watercolors on ruled paper to Cadere’s color-coded sculpture with an elusive solution, the exhibition revisits simultaneously radical and subtle ideas that defined the future of artistic production.

Lucio Pozzi, Trinity, 1980, watercolor, Gift of Dorothy and Herbert Vogel, 2008.

Waterwall

Site-specific installation by artist Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann
South Street Lawn at Museum
Through Spring 2021
Waterwall is a mixed-media installation created by combining acrylic, sumi ink, silkscreen, and cyanotype on collaged translucent vinyl over glass. Artist Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann describes the work as “a three-dimensional landscape painting: a riff on stained glass, a maximalist immersive gardenscape, a fantastic escapist porthole.”

Mann is an American painter whose work explores mythology, identity, and landscape, particularly through the unique dialogues she crafts between the slow and permeating movement of ink and paint and the dynamic layers of collaged and printed elements. Waterwall harkens back to centuries of cave murals found in Dunhuang, China, where paintings do not just describe landscapes, but become environments and magical symbols themselves. As sunlight passes through the walls and ceiling of the cube on the Academy Art Museum’s grounds, Waterwall bathes the viewer in light and detail, creating a verdant, melting, glowing, fragmented, personal, and mythological realm. The bespoke plexiglass structure for the Museum lawn was designed by Mitch Hager of HAGER + HUCK Architecture. Sponsors of Waterwall are the Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot County Arts Council, and Catherine McCoy.

Waterwall, a site-specific mixed-media installation by artist Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann, is now on display on the Museum’s South Street Lawn.

COMING!
2020 Annual Members’ Exhibition
Signs of the Times
December 11, 2020–January 17, 2021
The Museum’s Annual Members’ Exhibition invites artists to submit works that explore Signs of the Times. 2020 has been a troubling year that has at least brought moments of clarity, togetherness and gratitude for many of our members. We look forward to exhibiting imaginative and experimental works in any medium that addresses how this unique time manifests itself in our personal and shared world.

LECTURES
KITTREDGE-WILSON SPEAKER SERIES – Lectures on Zoom!
Friday, November 20 at 6 p.m.
Learn about the Museum’s newly completed renovation project through “Architecture for the Arts,” with Steve Ziger, Partner, Ziger/Snead of Baltimore, MD. Ziger is a partner at the Top-50 US Architects firm of Ziger/Snead of Baltimore, MD, which served as the architect for the AAM’s new courtyard entrance and gallery renovations. Cost is $20 Members; $25 Non-members.

Steve Ziger, Partner, Ziger/Snead

ADULT CLASSES
Adult Class Scholarships – Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Pastels, Watercolor, and much more.
All Materials are Included. Contact Katie Cassidy for details at 410-820-5222 or email
wkmcgarry@verizon.net for further information. Visit academyartmuseum.org for a full listing of classes. Scholarships are made possible through a generous grant from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

A Finding Your Purpose: Daily Journaling for Artists
Instructor: Diane DuBois Mullaly (dianeduboismullaly.com)
4 weeks via Zoom: November 5, 12, 19, December 3
Thursdays: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: $115 Members, $132 Non-members

CHILDREN’S CLASSES
Easton CommUNITY Days
#AAM Rocks & Easton Maze
November 14 – 15, 2020
Free
Write words of hope or kindness or draw whatever you like on your rock and hide it in downtown Easton where people are likely to find it before Friday, November 13th. During Easton CommUNITY Days on November 14th and 15th, wander around town in search of other kindness rocks. If you find one, take a selfie with it, post it to #AAMRocks, and re-hide it for others to find. Reserve your kindness rock kit at https://academyartmuseum.org/event/easton-community-days/. Each kit includes a smooth rock and three acrylic paint pens. Pick up is at the Museum between Tuesday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 7th. Also, stop by the Academy Art Museum during the CommUNITY Days event on November 14th and 15th to pick up your free Easton Maze and red pencil. The maze is shaped like the town of Easton and features pictures of a few works from the Permanent Collection. The Museum thanks the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Artistic Insights Fund and the HUT Foundation for their generous support of children’s programming.

PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES
Piano & Guitar Lessons
Instructor: Raymond Remesch
Contact Instructor for further information at (410) 829-0335 or rayremesch@gmail.com

Voice Lessons
Instructor: Georgiann Gibson
Contact instructor for Information at (410) 829-2525 or georgiann@atlanticbb.net.

MUSEUM COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Per City, State, and CDC guidelines, new safety measures have been implemented to ensure limited attendance and adequate space for social distancing. Masks must be worn at all times by participants and instructors. Prior to visiting the Academy Art Museum, visitors are encouraged to visit AAM’s website to read more about the Museum’s reopening protocols. Responses to frequently asked questions can be found on the Visit Page.
If you aren’t able to visit the Museum at this time, please enjoy our available virtual tours, art activities, artist talks, and virtual platform, Art at Home. We look forward to seeing you soon at AAM.
For additional information, visit academyartmuseum.org

MSO Holiday Joy Gift Tickets: A Great Way to Spread Seasonal Cheer

October 24, 2020 by Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for an artful way to brighten the spirits of family and friends while maintaining social distance, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra has the perfect solution.

The Orchestra, which has been performing for live and virtual audiences since August, is offering gift tickets to view the livestream of its popular Holiday Joy concert at the discounted rate of five for $50. That’s a $25 savings from the regular livestream ticket price of $15 each.

The December 3 concert, beginning at 7 PM at the Church of God in Eason, MD, features a festive selection of holiday music performed by the Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Julien Benichou. The Orchestra will be joined by three guest soloists: violinist Virgil Boutelis-Taft, soprano Alexandra Raszkazoff and tenor Michael Butler.

Tickets to attend the performance as a member of the live, socially-distanced audience of up to 150 individuals are $45, while supplies last. Individual tickets to view the concert livestream are $15. Both in-person and virtual tickets, as well as gift tickets, include special pre- and post-concert events hosted by Maestro Benichou, as well as on-demand replays of the concert through December 10.

To purchase in-person, livestream, or gift tickets online, go to the Orchestra’s website, www.midatlanticsymphony.org. For additional information, call 888-846-8600 or email info@midatlanticsymphony.org.

Hailed by The STRAD magazine for the “jeweled sonority” of his playing, Virgil Boutellis-Taft has performed as soloist and chamber musician at major international venues including the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall in London. After receiving the First Prize of the Conservatoire de Paris at age 16, he continued his studies at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, the Royal College of Music in London, and Tel Aviv University.

Alexandra Raszkazoff, acclaimed by The New York Times as a “richly faceted, slinky soprano,” has performed with opera companies and chorales around the world. She received her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory and earned her master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where she was the recipient of Toulmin Foundation Scholarship and the Novick Career Advancement Grant.

Although still a student at the University of Maryland, Michael Butler already is a sought-after artist. He won the National Young Arts Foundation Vocal Competition in 2018 and, in 2019, was selected for an Encouragement Award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He has performed with companies including the Washington Opera Society and the Washington Lyric Opera.

In addition to the December 3 program, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony’s season includes concerts on March 4 and April 22, 2021. A special non-subscription New Year’s Eve program featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez is planned for December 31.

The only professional symphony orchestra serving Maryland’s Eastern Shore and southern Delaware, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council; the Talbot County Arts Council; the Worcester County Arts Council; the Sussex County, DE Council; and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

Virtual Exhibit by Jason Patterson: On the Black History of Kent County and Washington College

October 24, 2020 by Washington College News Service Leave a Comment

An important two-year long project will be officially unveiled with the virtual opening of On the Black History of Kent County and Washington College, an exhibition by Starr Center Frederick Douglas Visiting Fellow Jason Patterson that presents a curated chronology of African American experience locally from the 1780’s to the present.

The launch is scheduled for October 27 at 7 PM and features a talk by Patterson, who will guide attendees through the virtual gallery experience, speak about the history, figures, themes and artistic processes explored. The talk will be followed by a Q&A.

The exhibition is an art and history project that addresses the African American history, and the historical impact of white supremacy in Kent County, Maryland and at Washington College, and is the result of a year-long collaboration between Patterson, Kohl Gallery, and The Starr Center.

“I am very excited for people to see this two-year long project,” said Patterson. “I hope it will be an important contribution to the redemptive work the college has begun in addressing its past.”

Patterson’s body of work focuses on African American history and highlights the role the past has in cultivating our current political and social conditions in the United States. Patterson’s practice is research-based, with the majority of his studio time dedicated to that research to ensure that the historical and social narratives presented are well represented.

Patterson’s work is based on archived images and historical texts, emphasizing the original medium. The work investigates the different ways images, in varying forms, structure the way we visually comprehend our history and define our present.

The virtual exhibit will be featured on the Chesapeake Heartland website and will be unveiled at this event. Patterson’s artist talk is supported by a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Speaker grant. The exhibit, talk, and associated events are supported by a Chesapeake Heartland Fellowship and organized by Kohl Gallery.

Founded in 1782, Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the nation and the first chartered under the new Republic. With an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning in the arts and sciences, and more than 40 multidisciplinary areas of study, the College is home to nationally recognized academic centers in the environment, history, and writing. Learn more at washcoll.edu.

The Garfield Center Receives Much Needed Community Support from its Recent Emergency Appeal

October 21, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Like so many other businesses and arts organizations, the pandemic had a strong impact on the Garfield Center for the Arts’ operations and income. Despite the building being shuttered to the public, its staff kept up a very busy, weekly schedule of online public entertainment offerings in the form of GCTV – a series of Wednesday night concerts, theatrical presentations, improv, movie nights and other programs. GCTV is presented for free via the GCA’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Recently, the GCA also put up its first online ticketed event with a video production of this year’s Short Attention Span Theatre. It was greatly successful both artistically and in the revenue it generated. More ticketed events are planned.

This shift to an online presence was done with both the Garfield Center’s desire to continue its programming in some fashion, but also with community engagement in mind. Turning these efforts over into a revenue-generating process was slowed only by the necessary learning curve of producing entertainment for the camera instead of for the stage. The lack of continuing revenue has been difficult on the organization, so an emergency appeal letter went out over the summer to ask the community for help.

The Garfield Center is thrilled to announce that its appeal successfully raised $7,725.00 from area donors. The funds were matched by a Garfield Center benefactor, bringing the total to $15,450.00 in total donations.

The Garfield Center for the Arts extended its deepest thanks and appreciation to our Chestertown and Kent County community, and our supporters abroad, who continue to help us be a part of our area’s thriving cultural and arts entertainment scene.

Waterfowl Festival Creates New Virtual Art Gallery for 2020

October 15, 2020 by Waterfowl Chesapeake Leave a Comment

To connect fine art buyers to the artists they love, Waterfowl Festival has gone online for 2020, creating its first ever Waterfowl Festival Virtual Art Gallery. The web-based showcase launches November 1 and will bring the Festival “home” to art lovers, giving them the opportunity to explore and purchase exclusive carvings, sculpture, paintings and photography. While the new online gallery can’t replace the in-person thrill of the traditional Festival, it will support artists by encouraging interest in their work in their home studios and helps provide them with a much-needed way to continue to earn their living during this challenging year.

“Obviously we would prefer to be holding the Festival in person, “ said WF Board President Kevin Greaney. “However, these difficult times have offered us the time to create this new opportunity to use our website to support our artists while providing a small revenue stream for us. We want folks to be excited about what we are planning for 2021 and at the same time remember the impact that the lack of a Festival in 2020 is having on the local economy”.

Marsh by Mary Veiga

The Virtual Art Gallery will be online at www.WaterfowlFestival.org and will include artists who were juried into the 2020 show. Each artist is submitting 3-5 pieces that can only be found in the Gallery. Visitors can shop from the comfort of home and when they make a purchase, the artwork will be shipped directly to them from the artist themselves. Online sales will benefit both the artist and Waterfowl Festival’s mission and future. The Gallery will change often, as pieces are sold, so buyers should check in often! Pieces will be updated as sold and updated throughout the year as we get closer to the 50th Festival in 2021. Buyers will find works of art at all price points and can make online purchases through the Festival’s new secure, safe e-commerce system.

As of October 12, over 35 artists have signed up to participate in the Virtual Art Gallery, including: Photographers Heather Orkis, Cal Jackson and Tony Masso; Sculptors Ken Newman, Fred Boyer and Ronnie Wells; Carvers Al Jordan and Tom Horn; Painters Linda Besse, Keith Whitelock, Sara Linda Poly and Sandy Alanko to name a few. Painter Richard Clifton, who recently won the Federal Duck Stamp Contest for 2020-2021 will also be participating and offering up some of his colorful waterfowl paintings for sale.

Says Greaney, “By engaging our art buyers online and providing an exciting virtual experience for art collectors, we will keep the Festival moving forward toward a terrific 50th Festival next fall!”

Visit http://www.WaterfowlFestival.org/waterfowl-festival-announces-virtual-art-gallery for more information or email marketing@waterfowlfestival.org.

The Mainstay Livestream Concerts Continue: Pianist Daryl Davis

October 14, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Mainstay streaming concerts live from Rock Hall continue on Friday October 23at 7 pm with pianist, vocalist, actor and author Daryl Davis. All concerts are streamed live from Kent County’s favorite live music venue via a private uplink available through The Mainstay’s website. Tickets are $5 online/advance. Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Daryl Davis

Friday October 23 tune into the live feed from The Mainstay at 7 pm for an exciting evening of boogie-woogie piano with the fabulous Daryl Davis and company.

Daryl Davis is an international recording artist, published author, actor and leader of THE DARYL DAVIS BAND.

Born in the Electric Blues Capital of the world, Chicago Illinois, DARYL absorbed the influences of the South from musicians who traveled North from the Mississippi Delta, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Missouri to this Blues Mecca. Today, he resides in Maryland, just a few minutes from Washington, DC.

DARYL DAVIS earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University in Washington, DC where he was a member of their world famous and renowned Jazz Vocal Ensemble. In addition to being a vocalist, guitarist, and composer, DARYL is a keyboardist extraordinaire. Upon graduation, DARYL went on to work with such artists as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Platters, The Drifters, The Coasters, Bo Diddley, Percy Sledge, and Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), to name a few.

Both Pinetop Perkins and Johnnie Johnson, considered to be the greatest Blues & Boogie Woogie and Blues and Rock’n’Roll pianists respectively, both have claimed DARYL as their godson. They have both praised his ability to master with authenticity, a style that was popular 20 years before he was born, progressing through the styles of many pioneers including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and beyond. It was this ability that landed DARYL in the piano slot for The Legendary Blues Band (which was the Muddy Waters band) and the piano slot for Chuck Berry. Both positions were once held by Perkins and Johnson.

As a recording artist, DARYL DAVIS was the featured pianist on the Cephas & Wiggins Grammy-nominated album Flip, Flop & Fly. As a composer, in addition to his own hits, I’m a Boogie Man and Broadminded and many other originals, DARYL scored the music to the children’s story, Abigail. His own CDs are titled, American Roots, Alternate Routes and Greatest Hits.

After having been with so many others, helping them to do their thing in nightclubs, concert halls, festivals, recordings, films, radio & television, from the United States to Europe, don’t miss seeing DARYL DAVIS with his own group doing his own thing!

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay through the COVID-19 crisis can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

November 6 Ellen Cherry
November 20 Eastport Oyster Boys

“Shouting at the Wind” by Marc Castelli Exhibit at MassoniArt Gallery

October 13, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Carla Massoni, the owner of MassoniArt Gallery, announced the opening of Marc Castelli’s newest one-man exhibition – Shouting at the Wind–by reassuring Castelli’s collectors that “the show will go on!” For over twenty-five years, Castelli has been represented by the gallery and his annual show has become synonymous with the Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Weekend. Covid 19 has forced the cancellation of the much loved Downrigging festival this year and compelled Massoni to reinvent Castelli’s opening.

Ghost Potting by Marc Castelli

“We are hard at work creating “virtual” experiences to showcase Marc’s 2020 collection of new watercolors in collaboration with videographer Justinian Dispenza of Andover Media and our webmaster Francoise Sullivan. Once the exhibit is installed, a video tour will be posted online to enhance your experience as you review the entire exhibition on massoniart.com our gallery website. Marc’s Artist Talk is always a standing room only experience. He shares the stories behind each image and the artistic challenges he experienced. This year’s exhibit features his favorite subjects – the watermen of the Eastern Shore, the workboats and historic log canoes that he works and crews on and his newest passion the world of the Maryland equestrian. Although he will miss being with a “real” audience, a virtual “Artist Talk” will be videotaped in the gallery” shared Massoni. “The entire exhibition with complete in-depth descriptions of Castelli’s paintings will be featured on our website as a new feature.

The Gallery will be open to the public but due to health concerns APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please contact the gallery directly prior to visiting to schedule a date and time. MASKS ARE REQUIRED and visits are limited to one party at a time allowing the Gallery to disinfect surfaces between appointments.

Shouting at the Wind will be featured on the Gallery’s online shop, however, ALL sales must be handled directly through the gallery. For appointments and to arrange purchases, contact Carla Massoni by phone or email. 410-778-7330 Gallery, 410-708-4512 Cell, info@massoniart.com

Local Artist Chosen for MFA Strokes of Genius Show

October 13, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Maryland Federation of Art’s Strokes of Genius show’s artists have been chosen. Pat Lang of Easton was one of the 56 artists chosen from 529 entries.

Artists from the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico were invited to submit 2-D work created in any painting media for the jurying process. Pat’s painting “Sail by Tale” was chosen for the show by Juror Mark Karnes, who received his MFA from Yale University and a BFA from Philadelphia College of Art.

“Sail by Tale” by Pat Lang 16×20 oil painting

The MFA Circle Gallery is located at 18 Circle, Annapolis, MD. Strokes of Genius will be on view from October 30 until November 25.

To see Pat’s art visit her website at www.patlangartist.com and follow her on Facebook.com/patlangartist and Instagram.com/patlangartist

Open Minds, Open Hearts, & Open Eyes: October and Beyond at RiverArts

October 9, 2020 by Chestertown RiverArts Leave a Comment

Chestertown RiverArts’ programming continues to provide ways for us all to be open to community, connection, and creativity. In October, explore unique outdoor classes (with masks & distancing), fun Zoom workshops, a month-long RiverArts Salon partnership with Shore Rivers, a new online photography exhibit, new art-at-home kits, and more.

Venture into wide open spaces with Vanna Ramirez’s in-person, outdoor, drawing class every Wednesday in October. Vanna is an extraordinarily talented local artist who has taught classes for RiverArts in a variety of artistic mediums and gets rave reviews for her knowledge, skill, and kindness. Registration is accepted for any or all of these Wednesday sessions, and the class is open to all ages.

Open your eyes to new vistas with Kris Kelley’s Intro to Smartphone Photography class on Wednesday, October 14 via Zoom. At the end of the class, students are invited to participate in a seven-day smartphone photography challenge, culminating in a curated virtual gallery on our website.

Kris Kelley

Open a buffet for your fine feathered friends when you make a Clay Bird Feeder in a Zoom class with Dianna Frymiare on Saturday, November 7. This class is designed for beginners as well as those who would like to build on their skills, and a video of the will be available free of charge for students to review afterwards.

Join the open dialogue of RiverArts Salons. Every Tuesday in October, the popular RiverArts Salons joins forces with ShoreRivers to present #ShoreRiverArts, a series of Salon discussions around a different aspect of the question “What is essential?” with respect to art and the environment. Special guests including Darran Tilghman, Tim Trumbauer, Maria and Adams Wood, and Dave Harp will lead explorations through the lenses of justice, family, and harmony. Each week will also include a meaningful call to action, and participants will be invited to take part in a collaborative art project.

Take to the open road and visit KidSpot at the Farmers’ Market on select Saturday mornings, or make an appointment to visit the Clay Studio to purchase a Quick Kit to complete at home—a fun new way to make a small project like a little pot, a whistle, a memory tile, or a holiday ornament (it’s never too early!). Enjoy our “Open Heart” Paint Nite kit to get everything you need to paint a fun art canvas from the comfort of your home.

Open your eyes to the world as seen through the lenses of photographers in the Juried Photography 2020 exhibit, viewable online now at community.chestertownriverarts.org/exhibit/juried-photography-exhibit-2020. This show, curated by William Trainor and judged by Linda Roy Walls, includes the work of many accomplished RiverArts members as well as many skilled and talented photographers who are first-time RiverArts exhibitors.

To stay engaged with RiverArts, subscribe to the Daily Dose, an open letter to the community sharing information about arts-related happenings in Kent County and beyond, contributions from local artists and community members, quizzes, tidbits of (mostly) arts history, and more. Find details, registration info, and more on all the programs mentioned above at community.chestertownriverarts.org.

Mid-Atlantic Symphony’s November 5 Concert

October 8, 2020 by Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Leave a Comment

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra continues its “Season Reimagined” on November 5, performing works by celebrated European composers for both in-person and virtual audiences.

The 7:30 PM concert at the Church of God in Easton, MD, includes Antonio Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D Major and Concerto in G for Two Mandolins; Anton Arensky’s Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky; and Bela Bartok’s Divertimento for String Orchestra. Guests soloists are internationally acclaimed guitarists Thomas Viloteau and Alexandra Viloteau.

“As we continue our reimagined Season of Strings, we are pleased to present orchestral compositions and transcriptions that showcase our talented string players,” said Music Director Julien Benichou. “We also are delighted to welcome our guest artists, who will add flair to the Vivaldi concerti.”

Tickets to attend the performance as a member of the live, socially-distanced audience of up to 150 individuals are $45, while supplies last. Tickets to view the concert livestream are $15. Both in-person and virtual tickets include special pre- and post-concert events hosted by Maestro Benichou, as well as on-demand replays of the concert through November 12.

The Lute Concerto in D Major, written for two violins, bass, and lute, is now most frequently played on the guitar. It exhibits a clarity of form, harmonic treatment , and rhythmic and melodic vitality – features that make Vivaldi’s music so attractive.

The Concerto in G for Two Mandolins was discovered in Turin, Italy in 1926. Like the Lute Concerto, it is often played on the guitar, with its various polyphonic segments demonstrating the technical skills of the soloists.

The Variations on a Theme is a string orchestra transcription of the slow movement of Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 2. The music is rhythmic, melodic, and very satisfying, with all instruments active continuously throughout the work.

Bartok completed the Divertimento for String Orchestra in 1939 on commission from the Basel Chamber Orchestra. The music appears to be written in the fashion of a concerto grosso, with the concertmaster, first second violin and first viola, cello and bass forming a group that often complements individually or as a whole the rest of the orchestra.

An accomplished soprano and passionate educator as well as an acclaimed guitarist, Alexandra Viloteau earned a Master of Music and Professional Studies Diploma in Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Guitar Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University. At Peabody, she double-majored in classical guitar and classical voice, the only student in the Conservatory’s 157-year history to do so.

Thomas Viloteau has reshaped the term “classical” guitar into something new, alive, and forward-thinking. He is the only guitarist to win the Arthur Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association, in 2016, and the following year was named Artist in Residence for the radio program Performance Today. Viloteau received his bachelor’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, his master’s from the University of Arizona and his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. He is on the Peabody Conservatory faculty.

In-person or livestream tickets may be purchased online at www.midatlanticsymphony.org. For additional information, email info@midatlanticsymphony.org or call 888-846-8600.

In addition to the November 5 program, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony’s 2020-2021 season includes the popular “Holiday Joy” program on December 3, 2020, and concerts on March 4 and April 22, 2021. A special non-subscription New Year’s Eve program featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez is planned for December 31.

Sections

More