Westport Public Library MOVIE & MUSIC Blog

Grace Notes: Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

2010-03-18T21:20:53Z

After suffering through the stormy, violent weekend and enduring life without electricity for several days, it is time to rejoice with the return of the sun and the spring-like weather. Although the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra did not plan on the aforementioned conditions, their Saturday evening March 20, 2010 concert at 8:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Concert Hall is a welcome antidote to the tumultuous experiences. What better way to make people smile and feel romantic than listening to music based on William Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet? This creative program features musical interpretations of this work by Nino Rota, Sergey Prokofiev, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky and Leonard Bernstein. If you can't make it to this event, be sure to look for these pieces at the Westport Public Library.

Grace Notes: Luck of the Irish

2010-03-17T16:22:14Z

St. Patrick's Day has become a global holiday in that it is celebrated by people througout the world with partying and parades. It has traditionally been a religious occasion since it draws its roots as a commemoration of the patron saint of Ireland, Bishop Patrick. Until the 1970s, Irish laws stipulated that pubs be closed on March 17. This changed in 1995 when the Irish government decided to use St. Patrick's Day as an opportunity to push travel and tourism to Ireland. Last year, almost one million people experienced this holiday in Dublin via parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions and fireworks shows. For those of us who cannot travel that far, here are some musical choices highlighting the Irish: Altan. Blackwater Black, Mary. The Holy Ground Chieftains. The Irish Album Dagda. CelticTrance George, Ruth. Hearts in Harmony Solas. The Words That Remain Various Artists. Flight of the Green Linnet

Grace Notes: Water

2010-03-08T18:42:48Z

Today is the beginning of Ground Water Awareness Week. As the Westport News reported, "one quarter of the fresh water used in the United States comes from beneath the ground." Various environmental organizations are quite concerned about potential pollution problems since contaminants may inadvertently be thrown in the sink or toilet. To remind ourselves not to take our water for granted, I'd like to suggest some musical works that pay tribute to this element: Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Hold Back the Water Debussy, Claude. Reflets Dans L'eau Dylan, Bob. High Water (For Charley Patton) Fauré, Gabriel. At the Water's Edge Four Tops. Still Water (Love) Handel, George Frideric. Water Music Jenny Scheinman Quartet. Weighing Water Simon and Garfunkel. Bridge Over Troubled Water Tan, Dun. Water Telemann, Georg Philipp. Water Music

ClipNotes: Roger Ebert's Voices Oscar Picks

2010-03-07T19:47:21Z

He’s back. The movie critic who lost his voice due to cancer has found a new way to talk through a computer program which uses fragments of his own voice pieced together from recordings he did prior to his illness. Ebert types his thoughts and the technology converts them to words. But unlike other voice simulation programs, his uses a new technology that does not sound robotic, but pure Ebert. Roger’s picks for the Oscars were posted on his website in February. For Best Picture he choose The Hurt Locker. The Best Actress statue goes to Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side while Jeff Bridges is his choice for Best Actor for his performance in Crazy Heart. The critic’s Best Supporting Actress nod goes to Mo”nique in Precious and his Best Supporting Actor thumbs up belongs to Christoph Waltz for his role in Inglorious Bastards. (I couldn’t agree more.) Who are your choices? Why not play along at home. A printable ballot is available on the Academy’s Oscar website. Or, pick one up today in the library.

Grace Notes: Trombone

2010-03-05T18:23:55Z

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Music, the trombone is a "non-transposing brass instrument of semi-cylindrical bore and cupmouthpiece, generally equipped with slide which serves to extend length of the tube. In any one of the 7 recognized slide positions, the 7 fundamental notes of harmonic series can be produced a semitone apart." It is probably one of the most recognizable instruments of the orchestra due to its size and sound. By realizing the emphatic, dramatic impact of the instrument, Beethoven became the first composer to utilize it for orchestra in his fifth symphony. Prior to that, it was used as accompaniment in church music. As time went on, it progressed to be a major part of marching bands, military bands and jazz ensembles. The trombone received its greatest exposure in Meredith Willson's broadway show, The Music Man, which featured con artist Harold Hill as he tricks the citizens of River City into buying instruments and unforms for the local boy's band. Seventy Six Trombones became its signature piece. On Sunday, March 7, 2010, the Westport Public Library is presenting the Bonefide Brass, a chamber music ensemble consisting of 8 trombones. These instrumentalists, who freelance in various Fairfield County musical organizations, will regale you with their originality, power and technique. Their versions of classical works will astound and surprise you.

Grace Notes: Greater Bridgeport Symphony

2010-03-04T17:45:03Z

Are you tiring of the endless cold, ice and snow that have blanketed our area? Are you dreaming of reading a good book surrounded by sand, sun and surf? If you are looking for an antidote to the winter blues that will leave you smiling and humming, be sure to try the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Greater Bridgeport Symphony will present an all Mozart program on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Klein Memorial Auditorium featuring his Divertimento K.136, Clarinet Concerto K. 622 in A major, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K. 525 and Symphony no. 35, K. 385 (Haffner). Conductor Gustav Meier and soloist David Shifrin will be at the forefront of this user-friendly concert. Maestro Meier has led orchestras throughout the world while holding esteemed teaching positions at Yale University, the Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan, and the Tanglewood Music Center. He has appeared on the podium for the Zurich Tonhalle, Sao Paolo, China National, Pittsburgh, Colorado and Alabama Symphony Orchestras; New York City, Santa Fe, Miami, San Francisco, Zurich, and Minnesota Opera Companies; and the Budapest and Vienna State Opera Orchestras. He has honorary doctorates from Fairfield University, Kalamazoo College, and Michigan State University and is the recipient of the Ditson Prize for his commitment to American music. Clarinetist David Shifrin has the unique distinction of being only one of two wind players to have been awarded the Avery Fisher Prize. From 1992 to 2004, he served as the artistic director of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He was principal clarinetist with the Cleveland Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra (under Stokowski), the Honolulu and Dallas symphonies, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and New York Chamber Symphony. His chamber music collaborations have included the Guarneri, Tokyo, and Emerson String Quartets as well as eminent soloists like Wynton Marsalis, Emanuel Ax and André Watts. If you desire further information about Mozart, you may want to consult The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia H. C. Robbins Landon's The Mozart Compendium: A Guide to Mozart's Life and Neal Alexander Zaslaw's The Compleat Mozart: A Guide to the Musical Works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Grace Notes: Frédéric Chopin

2010-03-01T19:36:06Z

Today marks the accepted date of the 200th birthday of Poland's best known pianist and composer, Frédéric Chopin. Numerous commemorative events are planned throughout the world including orchestral concerts, piano recitals, exhibitions, movies and the 16th annual Chopin International Competition. His musical genius was recognized at an early age as he performed in the homes of Warsaw's upper class. He moved to Paris in 1831 and continued to teach, compose and perform. Unlike many 19th century artists, he did not paticularly enjoy playing in a large public forum. He benefited from the Parisian intellectual atmosphere and became quite close to novelist George Sand. With a superlative technique, a keen comprehension of musical forms and an innate ability to synthesize harmony and melody, he built up a sizable ouevre of piano works. If you are interested in learning more about his life and work, the Library has William G. Atwood's The Lioness and the Little One: The Liaison of George Sand and Frederic Chopin, Ates Orga's Chopin: His Life and Times and Tad Szulc's Chopin in Paris: The Life and Times of the Romantic Composer. A sampling of his works on compact disc includes Benno Moisewitsch Plays Chopin, Horowitz Plays Chopin, Preludes, op. 28 performed by Maurizio Pollini, and Piano Concertos # 1 and #2 performed by Arthur Rubinstein. If you would like to hear a live performance of his Piano Concerto #2, you may want to consider this weekend's Stamford Symphony concert with soloist Cecile Licad.

Grace Notes: Ukulele

2010-02-25T17:18:30Z

According to Sibyl Marcuse's Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Dictionary, the ukulele is a small guitar of the Hawaiian islands that was transported there by Portugese sailors. By the mid 1880's, three Portugese instrument makers had set up shop as the instrument became quite popular among the indigenous population. Ukuleles quickly became the instrument of choice to accompany hula dancers at celebratory events. This instrument made its mark in the United States during the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Francisco. Although we tend to associate the ukulele with the Pacific islands, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a force to be reckoned with. Enjoy them in their rendition of that classic Isaac Hayes movie theme from Shaft played live at Cambridge Folk Festival:

ClipNotes: February 27th Birthdays

2010-02-24T17:50:53Z

Admit it, like me you probably sneak a peek at the listing of people born on that day newspapers and internet sites love to provide. Well coming up this Saturday is quite a list including an impressive duo of actresses born on February 27th. Joanne Woodward was born in 1930 in Thomasville, Georgia. According to The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives Thematic Series. “She graduated from high school in 1947 and attended Louisiana State University from 1947 to 1949. When her father went to work for the Charles Scribner's Sons publishing house, Woodward left college and moved with the family to New York City, where she began to pursue acting, joining the Actors' Studio and the Neighborhood Playhouse.. Her professional career began in earnest in 1953, when she understudied in William Inge's play, Picnic, during its Broadway run. Also involved in the production was her future husband, the actor Paul Newman." But Woodward’s other accomplishments including those as Artistic Director of the Westport Country Playhouse shine just as brightly as her screen presence. And of course, librarians everywhere were delighted to learn that she notes reading as a great personal pleasure in an interview published in American Theatre, Nov 2005. In fact when asked what her greatest indulgence is she is quoted as saying, “Reading. I love histories and biographies--I think I have five biographies of Dickens--and in moments of madness I love reading murder mysteries, but only if they're British." Elizabeth Taylor was born on the same day two years later to American parents in London. Her mother had been an actress prior to marriage and her father was an art dealer. The war brought her family back to America and Hollywood and soon she was following in her mother’s footsteps and by age ten was a child actress under contract. At age 12 she won the lead in National Velvet and was able to combine her love of horses and acting. Her career progressed with more child and then ingénue roles. Her star continued to rise as her personal life brought tragedies. In fact her second husband Michael Todd was killed in a plane crash while filming Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman. Taylor’s many successes and life events are well documented. Films by each of these remarkable women are well represented in the Westport Library collection. Drop by and check out your favorite.

Grace Notes: Winter Olympics

2010-02-22T19:34:08Z

As everyone knows, we are in the midst of the 2010 Winter Olympics being held in our neighbor to the north, Vancouver, Canada. Currently, the United States is the leader in overall medals. Athletes who have achieved gold medal status have become instant household names. These include Shani Davis, Evan Lysacek, Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, etc. The New York Times announced that the television ratings for this Olympics has surpassed the perennial favorite, American Idol. As we revel during the rest of the cold weather competitive events, we may want to listen to some breathtaking, winning music: Berlioz, Hector. Symphonie Fantastique Copland, Aaron. Fanfare for the Common Man Lloyd Webber, Andrew. Official Theme of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Rossini, Gioacchino. Overture to the Barber of Seville Schubert, Franz. Symphony #9 Sousa, John Philip. Semper Fidelis Strauss, Johann. Tales from the Vienna Woods Williams, John. Olympic Fanfare and Theme Williams, John. Summon the Heroes

Grace Notes: New Haven Symphony Orchestra

2010-02-18T00:38:05Z

How often do you get to hear a world-class soloist and a new work by a 21st century composer in a local setting? If you live in Fairfield County, you are in luck. Under the direction of Maestro William Boughton, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra will be performing on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 p.m. at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University. The program consists of Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 in D Major, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K216, Augusta Read Thomas' Prayer & Celebration and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in Bb Major, Op. 60. With this performance, violiniist Ani Kavafian begins her series of performances of Mozart's Concertos for Solo Violin. Ani Kavafian has had a long, fulfilling career as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. She recently conducted workshops in Taiwan for talented students with other members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She and her sister, violinist Ida Kavafian, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Carnegie Hall debut as a duo last November in a concert with the Chamber Music Society. She regularly performs with: the Kavafian-Schub-Shifrin Trio with Andre-Michel Schub and David Shifrin as well as the Triton Horn Trio with William Purvis and Mihae Lee. She has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. She serves as the Concertmaster of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and is on the faculty of Yale University. Augusta Read Thomas studied composition at Tanglewood, Yale and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She served as Composer-in-Residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and has taught at the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Her orchestral works have been performed by the major orchestras of the world including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony, etc. In 2007, her Astral Canticle was named as one of two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in Music.

ClipNotes: Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T19:22:30Z

To me the all time best romantic comedy and the one from which all other movies of this genre stem is It Happened One Night. Released in 1934 it grossed 2,500,000 and was made for $325,000 during the deep days of the depression. Two terrific actors with real screen presence and perfectly matched timing was all it took to create the first classic of its kind. Fast forward 76 years to today's release of Valentine's Day. With an all star ensemble cast this film is being hyped as the perfect date movie for a romantic weekend. One star mentioned in an interview that she didn't meet most of the other people in the cast until the premire. The movie's website is a marketing and social networking no holes barred blitz. Need help finding the perfect gift for your gal or guy? Jennifer Gardner and Topher Grace have suggestions. Want to send an electronic Valentine? It's a click away. My husband is of the view that going out to eat on Valentine's Day is the sure way to get a bad meal. Too many people, too many rushed dishes. If like him, you'd rather stay in and watch a movie (and, no dear, that does not include the entire Godfather triology yet again) then stop by the Westport Library's Audio Visual room and pick up a fillm. Staff suggestions include the well known such as Notting Hill, Bridget Jone's Diary and You've Got Mail as well as little gems such as Lars and the Real Girl. There are plenty to choose from. Don't forget to check the films displayed right on the circulation desk for a quick grab and go.

Grace Notes: Valentine's Day

2010-02-11T19:18:55Z

In the midst of this dreary winter season comes a spring-like event, Valentine's Day. This is the time to appreciate one another and indulge with chocolate, flowers and music. This blog is dedicated to the "romantic" in all of us. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. Magic Flute Puccini, Giacomo. La Boheme Ravel, Maurice. Daphnis et Chloe, Suite no. 2 Rodrigo, Joaquín. Concierto de Aranjuez Strauss, Richard. Don Juan Stravinsky, Igor. Fairy's Kiss Wagner, Richard. Siegfried-Idyll Wagner, Richard. Tristan und Isolde

Grace Notes: American Chamber Orchestra

2010-02-05T14:39:02Z

If you are looking for symphonic music performed in a cozy, local space, be sure to go to the American Chamber Orchestra's concert on Saturday, February 6 at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. This 60+ member group draws its musicians from various Connecticut counties and prides itself on engaging the audience by presenting new upcoming talent, familiar works from the repertoire and new compositions by 21st century composers. Saturday's program features Bedřich Smetana's Die Moldau, Robert Schumann's Symphony #1 "Spring," and Joseph Rheinberger's Organ Concerto #1. Christopher James Hisey will conduct, and Leslie Smith will be the organ soloist. If you get a chance, be sure to stop at the Library to acquaint yourself with these pieces.

Grace Notes: Super Bowl XLIV

2010-02-04T20:10:19Z

As everyone in the Western world knows, Super Bowl XLIV will take place on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. The press has had a field day with these two competitors due to the fact that this is the Saints' first Super Bowl appearance and that the Colts talented quarterback, Peyton Manning, grew up in New Orleans. His father Archie is a retired football quarterback who played for the Saints for ten full seasons. Who do you think he will root for, his son or his old team? I will be cooking and listening to football classics until the tossing of the ceremonial coin. I hope you enjoy the game. Andersson, Benny. The Winner Takes It All Beethoven, Ludwig van. Egmont Overture Brubeck, Dave. Take Five Coltrane, John. Locomotion Ives, Charles. Yale-Princeton Football Game Lamb, Joseph. Excelsior Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. The Marriage of Figaro Overture Rossini, Gioacchino. Italian in Algers Overture Williams, John. Jurassic Park