Melinda Johnson, Post-Standard arts editor writes: “What do performing classical music and bodybuilding have in common? Lots — just ask Leon Bates. He is a professional concert pianist who also is an recreational bodybuilder. Bates will display his talents as a pianist when he performs with the Borealis Wind Quintet at a Saturday concert presented by Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music. Bates did not have a trainer… He says he relied on the principles he used when playing piano — practicing correct techniques. Those principles helped him progress, he says.
‘        “He wanted to dispel the notion that ‘you would sacrifice your sensitivity, your ability to play with any kind of a sensitive gesture which would be necessary in playing piano.’ And sensitivity is precisely what’s called for with Bates’ performance Saturday. He will perform two Schubert Impromptus, Opus 90 in E flat and A flat, after Borealis opens with Wind Quintet in F major, by French composer George Onslow. The Schubert works are ‘extremely sensitive music,’ he says. ‘One of the hallmarks of Schubert, of course, is his wonderful sense of melody.’
‘       “Bates and Borealis will play together Sextet, Theme and Variations, Opus 41, by Theodor Blumer and Sextet for Piano and Winds, Opus 6, by Ludwig Thuille. The pianist, who usually performs as a soloist, has enjoyed his 15-year association with the Borealis Wind Quintet. He says the collaboration allows him to assume a support role and sharpen his skills. He respects the players as fine musicians who consider the total aspect of compositions and their presentation.”

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra spotlights the distinctive qualities of the Baroque violin at the “Baroque Conversations” concert led by Baroque violinist Monica Huggett. Huggett is the Portland Baroque Orchestra’s artistic director and is the first artistic director of The Juilliard School’s Historical Performance program. The concert’s repertoire includes Locatelli’s Introduizione Teatrale in G major, and Sinfonia in F minor, “Sinfonia Funebre”; Van Wassenaer’s Concerto Armonico; Leclair’s Violin Concerto in A major, and Vivaldi’s Concerto in D minor for Two Violins Op. 3, No. 11. Huggett shares her insights into the music from the stage and invites questions from the audience. “Baroque Conversations” series explores the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period.
‘           Monica Huggett was born in London, and in order to differentiate herself from her piano-playing siblings, she took up the violin at age six. By the age of 12, it had been decided that she would become a violinist. At age 16, she entered the Royal Academy of Music. Although she did well and won several: prizes, she was not entirely comfortable with her instrument until she tried a baroque violin. She was immediately won over by the mellow quality of the gut strings and became a fervent champion of the barque violin. From then on, Huggett has worked solely as a violinist and arts administrator, serving as artistic director of both The Portland and Irish Baroque Orchestras.

Jitro, a Czech Girls’ Choir will perform in concert at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton, WI as part of a Midwestern tour. This internationally acclaimed touring choir is selected from over 350 children in six preparatory ensembles. In the span of 38 years, they have performed 2,500 concerts and have toured 700,000. miles around the globe. In the Fourth World Choir Games in Xiamen, China (2006) they received three gold medals. Among its many tours, Jitro has performed 12 tours in the US, six in Japan, and over 200 throughout Europe. Their discography includes 30 recordings. Since 1997, Jiri Skopal has led the choir as Artistic Director, winning high praise for his brilliant leadership. Pianist Michael Chrobak adds luster to the performances which will include works by Britten, Gallus, Dvorak, Smetena, Macha and Badings.

Auburn University is delighted to host Dr. Julianne Baird, world renowned soprano, recording artist, and distinguished professor of Music at Rutgers University  Hailed by The New York Times as “a national artistic treasure,” Julianne Baird will visit Auburn’s campus on February 21st to present a lecture and concert centered on her latest research project, the Jane Austen Songbook. Soprano Julianne Baird has been hailed as “one of the most extraordinary voices in the service of early music that this generation has produced.” She maintains a busy concert and recording schedule of solo recitals and performances of baroque opera and oratorio. Ms. Baird has also appeared as soloist with many major symphony orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta and Philadelphia Orchestra. She has a Diploma from the Salzburg Mozarteum in performance and a PhD in music history from Stanford University.

Steve Smith reported for The New York Times…”Anyone unfamiliar with the Prism Quartet, a Philadelphia saxophone ensemble, and Music From China, a New York group formed to preserve and promote traditional Chinese music, might assume that they had precious little in common. But they share a mission to expand their repertories and a hunger for new music. Considering the prolif-eration of Chinese-born composers in Western concert music, perhaps it was inevitable that their paths would cross. On Friday evening they reunited at Weill Recital Hall to present new pieces by Lei Liang, Fang Man, Huang Ruo and Bright Sheng, who were all present to introduce their works.”

“Triple Play was rolicking good fun … led by bassist, trombonist and pianist Chris Brubeck, the trio stole the show with its flair and virtuosity.”   – Mark Swed, L.A. Times

The UT Dallas Comet reports: “Triple Play will be in Dallas on February 15th for a lecture demonstration. Triple Play is the name given to three outstanding and versatile musicians,  Peter Madcat Ruth (on harmonica and vocals), Joel Brown, (guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano and vocals). Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity, and American spirit to the folk, blues, jazz and classical music they perform. Madcat joined Chris and Joel in 1999 to form the group Triple Play. Their live performance is documented on their first cd, ‘Triple Play Live,’ recorded at one of their college concerts. In reviewing this disc, All Music Guide wrote: ‘This boundary stretching CD should be investigated by anyone who enjoys great American music.’”

Donald Rosenberg of The Cleveland Plain Dealer writes: “Don’t expect Ronen Koresh to tell stories or reveal universal truths in his creations. The Israeli-born choreographer is more interested in taking dancers through a series of exciting kinetic images than in making narrative statements. ‘My interest is people,’ Koresh said before a rehearsal. ‘I find human beings to be so complex — so brilliant or so stupid, so generous or so cruel. The complexity of the human mind and the emotional realm is infinite.’ But a piece ‘never begins with the music,’ he said. ‘It always begins with an image. Music is the place. Dance is the people. Movement is the means of communicating with one another.’”

The Canyon Sounds Series will present the Borealis on February 24th. This Wind Quintet has received accolades for their finesse and style. Their remarkable ensemble playing is a result of a long musical collaboration focused not only on detail and precision, but also on carefully conceived musical interpretations. Their goal is to blend sparkling virtuosity with musical integrity in programs that are appealing and richly rewarding to the audience. Nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award in the Chamber Music Category, Borealis is acclaimed as one of America’s preeminent chamber ensembles. The highest musical integrity, irresistible energy and charisma distinguish Borealis in the chamber music field. Audiences love their exquisite programming that includes the finest of the classics, engaging commissioned works, opera arias for piano and winds.

February is when the University of Florida Performing Arts dance highlights really kick in to high gear. On February 9th we’re treated to the Chinese-American Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, accompanied by the music of none other than of the world-renowned Ahn Trio. The two groups will present their “Temptation of the Muses,” which premiered last year in New York to a sold-out house. The dance company calls itself “a blossom of color, energy and motion.” The New York Times calls director Nai-Ni Chen “a rare modern dance choreographer.” Chen fuses Chinese tradition — the flowing lines of its printed language, the movement of martial arts — with American modern dance idioms.

Irene Maslowski of the Bloomfield Hills Patch reports: “Dance is supposed to touch the deepest part of our being.” Carolyn Dorfman has found a way to do exactly that with her profound, emotionally resonant dance company, the Michigan native speaks directly to audiences through movement. So, The Center couldn’t think of a better choice to kick off their first annual Dance Month. Carolyn Dorfman’s works reflect both her unique story and her concern about the human condition. They speak directly to the heart…They stimulate emotion without wringing us out,” The Star Ledger extolls. “[Her] messages were universal.” “A haunting work, built from reverence and remembrance,” is how Arts Houston describes the repertoire. “…a remarkable evening of theater…” Back Stage reports.