Music
Another Prize for Micah
THE COMPETITION took place in the castle of Ettlingen, Germany. Two hundred and sixty-seven young pianists from 41 nations applied. One hundred and eight were admitted to perform over the ten-day period of August 5–15. And history was made by awarding the top two prizes in the younger category to pianists from the United... Read »
A September Music Medley
CHAMBER MUSIC CHARLESTON’s second annual “Mozart in the South” festival is coming September 9–12. Along with a chamber night, an orchestral evening, and the finale at Middleton Place, there will be the popular Little Mozart Circus at Francis Marion Square (with 14 tents) where children of all ages can handle instruments, get a lesson,... Read »
Expression Sung and Danced
I HAVE ALWAYS meant to attend the Westminster Choir’s annual Spoleto performance, but have not gotten to it until this year. In the beautiful and acoustically brilliant setting of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul, this group of young singers from Rider University in Princeton New Jersey delivered beyond my expectations.... Read »
Escape to Chamber Music
DUCKING INTO the recently refreshed Dock Street Theatre on an especially sweltering afternoon, I realized that this is one of my favorite moments of the festival. It is one of those things that makes an ordinary day extraordinary, which is so good for one’s mental health. This particular day I sat in the balcony... Read »
A Marriage of Poetry and Song
IF YOU ATTEND a performance of the Westminster Choir (a Spoleto tradition), you will hear a song inspired by South Carolina poet laureate, Marjory Wentworth. Nathan Jones composed the piece based on Marjory’s “Newlyweds,” a poem written in an obscure Welsh form called the cynhunned which requires a seven syllable line. Marjory describes the... Read »
Beethoven Alive
THEY SAY THE BEST acting—like the best music, best dancing, and best art—is done from the inside. You can learn technique—the outside part—but it doesn’t become ‘art’ until you tap an inner source from whence flows an indescribable something that renders technique secondary: as a tool to be employed. That’s what Clarence Felder did... Read »
The Inner Fabric of Beethoven
IT IS ONE THING to hear his music. It is another to see Beethoven himself on stage with the musicians as he divulges his inner struggles—in particular, his plight with women. In a unique musical-theatre presentation, this is exactly what Clarence Felder does to perfection in the Piccolo Spoleto production of Beethoven, His Women,... Read »
A Gold Medal Pianist
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT the regular musical series was over, and just before Spoleto begins, the College of Charleston is hosting another superb piano performance this Saturday night. And admission is free. But don’t let that fool you, because once again you’re in for a treat. A gold medal treat. Hsing-Chwen Hsin is one... Read »
The Little Festival with a Big Punch
AS SPRING BLEEDS into summer, don’t forget the other frolic that kicks off in tandem with Spoleto USA. While the “big” one toots its horn about being an international festival, Piccolo Spoleto boasts the continuous discovery of homegrown talent—artists, writers, and performers from Charleston and around the southeast. Ellen Dresler Moryl launched Piccolo Spoleto... Read »
Bach Keyboard Extravaganza
THE FANTASTIC FINALE to the International Piano Series at the College of Charleston is coming next Tuesday night. It features an all Bach program for multiple pianos accompanied by a string ensemble of members from the College of Charleston Chamber Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lorenzo Muti. And all of the... Read »
