MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES POSTS ANOTHER FINE CONCERT

Sunday, March 4, I was privileged to be in the audience for a wonderful concert by the Lincoln Center Chamber Society’s Artistic Directors, David Finkel on the cello and Wu Han, piano. It was another outstanding, moving, performance from the Music in The Park Series, in Saint Paul. It was easy to understand why these two rank among the most esteemed and influential classical musicians in the world. Their talent and synchronicity are outstanding with a nuanced, varied program featuring pieces by Beethoven, Adolphe, Auerbach, Mendelssohn, and Grieg.

The concerts for Music In The Park are held in a lovely venue with outstanding acoustics, Saint Anthony Park United Church of Christ. The series is more than thirty-five years old and has introduced Twin Cities residents to a wide variety of classical musicians in an intimate setting.

During the intermission, Andy and Linda Boss, long-time park residents and strong supporters of the series were honored.

THE DARKEST HOUR DESERVES AN OSCAR

Tonight (3/3) we watched "The Darkest Hour," Britain and Winston Churchill's struggle in the early years of the Nazi invasion of Europe. Dunkirk was a difficult rescue of the British army and there were many who wanted to engage with Mussolini to plead for peace with Herr Hitler. Churchill, as portrayed by Gary Oldman, came unglued a few times but in the last analysis, as we all know, prevailed and Britain, wikth eventual assistance from America, crushed the Axis powers. The film is a stunning look at the machinations of the British government, a good story for those of us old enough to remember WWII. And, the film is an excellent lesson for those who are too young to remember that war. In addition to being a mesmerizing drama, well-acted by all involved, excellently and carefully produced with restraint and authenticity, the film has lesson for all of us today. I highly recommend the film THE DARKEST HOUR.

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA PERFORMS EXCELLENT AND VARIED COFFEE CONCERT

We attended a coffee concert of the Minnesota Orchestra this week (March 1). The Program was comprised of a varied number of pieces, all well-performed under the able direction of guest conductor, Juraj Valcuha.

The initial work was a lyrical, other-worldly vision of a mythical body of water by Anatol Lyadov. Calm, peaceful and misty, The Enchanted Lake, Opus 62, is the kind of music one might hear as background to a sensual massage.

Guest pianist Kirill Gerstein thrilled the audience and used all his skill and endurance to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto Number 3 in D minor, with able assistance from the orchestra. The work carries themes of two world wars, the conflict in the Ukraine and visions of the Asian Steppes and other catchy tunes.

The final two pieces also provoked sustained ovations from the audience, Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Debussy’s La Mer. All in all an excellent concert, well worth repeating.