Well they’re not really here, in fact they were Ukrainians. Yesterday afternoon, we went to The Lehman Arts Center and watched the most amazing performance of Russian classical music expertly performed by The National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine.
The land of the Czars and Tzars has given us some of the greatest composers in the 19th and 20th Centuries. To name a few and some of their more well known concertos and symphonies: Pyotr Iliyich Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, 1812 Overture. Igor Stravinsky – Rite of Spring, The Firebird, Petrushka. Dmitri Shostokovich – Suite on Finnish Themes, Sergei Rachmaninoff -Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagagnini, Monna Vanna, Piano Concerto I and II, Sergei Prokofiev – Peter and the Wolf, Romeo and Juliet, The Love of Three Oranges, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsokov-Capriccio Espagnol, and my favorite Scherherazade. So much talent!
The first piece was Rachmoninoff’s Symphony No.3 and it was an elaborate production with full orchestra and three movements. From where we were seated, I had a full-on view of the whole orchestra. Besides the usual violins, violas, cellos, oboes, French horns, clarinets and bass fiddle, Rachmoninoff included a harp, a triangle, symbals, a tambourine, and percussion. Most of Sergei Rachmoninoff’s work is complex, especially his piano concertos, and in this Symphony it was quite evident.
Dima Tkachenko – Violin Virtuouso
The real highlight of the concert was Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with soloist Dima Tkachenko. He was a child prodigy playing the piano and the violin before he was six!! He has won numerous competitions and was awarded the Guildhall School Concert Recital Diploma (Premier Prix). I was overwhelmed and swept away by his mastery of his instrument. Like most virtuosos, in his hands the violin becomes an extension of himself. Pure genius. Under his expert manipulation, the violin sang, I mean really sang. In his intensity, he broke at least 8 strings on the bow. The violin is a wondrous instrument capable of producing an unbelievable number of sounds and notes in rapid succession. The standing ovation lasted long enough to convince Dima to give us an encore. And OMG, he played for at least another 10 minutes. I don’t know what he was performing but it seemed to incorporate every nuance of sound and technique known to man and violin.
The Firebird Suite is one of Stravinsky’s better known compositions. I have heard it many times however, the technical proficiency and emotional commitment of this orchestra is quite extraordinary.
Lastly, we were treated to a brief and informative talk by the conductor, Theodore Kuchar, who gave us some history of the conflicts his country has undergone for 100 years. He explained that pure Ukranian music existed outside of better known Russian composers and proceeded to introduce a famous Ukranian piece. We also were treated to a beautiful excerpt from a movie soundtrack created by Ukranian born Myroslav Skoryk.
All in all, I can’t think of a better way to have spent this gray, rainy and chilly Sunday afternoon. It was a peaceful and joyful break from the daily stress of the political shenanigans going on.
Bill Ding and his band of clowns are the security patrol for this blog site. He is a favorite toy from the 50*s. By the way sometimes a blog is just an ego-maniacal stream of conscience.
Pbenjay's Blog 
Luigi And The Lights
Posted in From My Point of View - Personal commentary on Movies and Books, Travel-Where in the World are Peterlori?, tagged cherries, fig tree, Heineken, Luigi, Orso’s, Orso’s Garden, Pasquale, Perroni on May 28, 2018| 3 Comments »
One late morning, Joel and I were sitting outside at Orso’s enjoying the sunshine, some coffee and wi fi. It was a beautiful day, the cherries had turned from green to red in the past few days, the roses were in full bloom; shades of pink and red. The fig tree was laden with burgeoning little green globes which unfortunately would not ripen till the end of summer.
Pasquale came out and asked Joel if he would go with his father, Luigi, to pick up a heavy box. Since I was working on my iPad and he was getting a little bored, he jumped at the chance of a change of scenery. Luigi came out and gave me the two finger sign indicating they’d be back in two minutes.
It was more like 30 minutes, before they returned in the truck and started to unload what looked like a few large coiled wreathes. At least that’s what it looked from across the street.
Soon it was apparent what was happening;
Up A Tree
Hidden From View
Taking Direction
Luigi had enlisted Joel to help him string lights in the trees in Orso’s Garden. That’s the official name of this small oasis across the street from the B&B. I’ve spent hours there sitting in that glorious Southern Italy sunshine, drawing zentangles, talking to Peter, looking at the panorama and trying most of all to be present.
That day watching Joel and Luigi up in the trees stringing the lights was so heartwarming. Joel had told me that Luigi reminded him of his own great-grandfather, Luciano, a few days before. Luigi only speaks Italian and dialect for sure, Joel knows grazie. So how the directions were being given and followed must have been a lot of gestures and pointing!
The afternoon was getting warmer, so I ordered a Perroni, hey that’s what you do in Italy and especially in Guardia. Are you ready for this? A bottle of beer costs 1€! Now if you want Heineken then it’s 1.50€. Oh what a great place!
The guys had to take a break, Joel had a rash on his arms but was not going to complain because Luigi had cut his hand in a few places with the knife and shrugged it off when Joel pointed out the bleeding. God, that reminded me of my own father! By the way, I didn’t take his picture but should have, because Luigi was also up in the trees securing lights, he is very spry.
A Well Deserved Break
Here are a few garden photos;
All in all this was a very pleasant day. We went home and it wasn’t until a day or two later we found out the lights were turned on in the garden that night and everyone was eating chicken!
Rate this:
Read Full Post »