For me, the weekend included a drive north to see four shows at the Chicago Sketch Fest (including a spot by Indy's own Three Dollar Bill Comedy). I made it back home in time, though, to see Acting Up Productions' "Two Rooms" at Theatre on the Square.
More on both soon.
In the meantime, tell me what you saw, heard or did this weekend on the A&E front. Anyone make it to First Friday? Catch "The Black Pirate" at the IMA? Hear the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra?
Your thoughts?
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After intermission was a single work, the massive Brahms Second Piano Concerto with soloist Yefim Bronfman. This majestic work suits Bronfmanâs powerful sound well, and the slow and sustained sections were beautiful indeed. Again though, the lack of a focused beat seemed to muddy a few rhythmic passages. ISO veteran cellist Perry Scott was serving as Principal for this concert, as the chair is currently vacant. He played with intensity and polish on the frequent solos, and in an unusual gesture, soloist Bronfman asked him to stand for a solo bow. The solo bow for Scott and the rousing ovation for Bronfman were well deserved. Perhaps I am showing too much of my affinity for the wind side of conducting, but I wish there had been more of an ictus, that is, a direct baton direction change that indicated exactly where a beat begins. I believe it would have helped in precision in the faster sections that called for strong points to notes and chords. Bronfmanâs encore piece, one I did not know, was stirringly performed. It featured an extremely active right hand with fluttering chromatics and seemed to be from the time period of Chopin or possibly Schumann. All in all a fine concert and a good way to start a new year.
I also managed to catch the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I thought it was just as good as the previous one. I especially enjoyed the urban camo.