While I missed Second Saturday and the opening of the Beacon Photography Group member show on January 14 because of a trip to the city for an opera (Fedora) at Lincoln Center, I was back in town for the first Howland Chamber Music Circle piano recital of the season on Sunday January 15, which featured Frederic Chiu. Driving over to the Howland Cultural Center is a lot easier (and quicker) than taking Metro North to the city and just as satisfying when it comes to enjoying the arts.
I arrived early enough to get a first row seat -- I love to watch the face of the pianist while they perform -- and to preview the photographs that were hung throughout the center. I was immediately struck by the warm reddish-brown background paint for the main floor exhibit space and my eyes easily followed the light up to the balcony with more eye catching photos and the wonderful natural light still visible through the large window.
As I walked around clockwise and then counter-clockwise, up and down the stairs, I visually explored the various photos -- the size, the shape, the subject, the unique eye of each photographer -- and then found the listing of the exhibitors and the respective work and titles. I was struck by knowing that so many of the enthusiastic photographers are serious amateurs who may have found a passion for creating images as an encore career or as a dual career, as opposed to photo professionals. I wished I had attended the opening to put each of the faces behind the camera with the respective photos.
Viewing the photographs was like having an appetizer before the entree; I was here for the concert and my appetite for good things was whet. I felt like I was getting a two-for-one special with the art and the music but then I realized it was actually a trifecta since the setting in the landmark building that has a menu of offerings to those enjoying and making art in Beacon.
The piano recital was excellent and presented in a very unique fashion since it was billed as a "classical smackdown" between the teenaged Felix Mendelssohn and Frederic Chopin. The 90-minute recital was filled with various compositions - polonaise, sonata, nocture, mazurka, etude, rondeau - and the goal was to be in the moment and choose which piece in each of three rounds of pairings was preferred. I learned so much from the background information that Frederic Chiu presented and was surprised at some of my selections along the way. It was a playful way of focusing one's attention and truly listening and it was interesting to learn that Frederic Chiu actually posts the results from his concerts on one of his websites.
Food for thought: Tuning the ear after tuning the eye was a tasteful treat in the hometown venue of the most palatable cultural center. Seems like there is no place like home. Go local.
The photo exhibit runs through February 26th and the next piano recital is Sunday January 29.
(Personal note: You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging as often as I once did after starting this blog almost 12 years ago. But I have been writing a lot over the last 2-1/2 years and hope to say more about the memoir I've focused on in the coming year since the goal is to publish. I also see that I should be updating my photo on my blog profile, but I think that is a bit more daunting to consider. LOL.)
