Thursday, October 22, 2009
CITY OF ANGELS
Hollywood comes to Humboldt in the acclaimed musical comedy CITY OF ANGELS, October 22-24, 29-31 at 7:30 PM, November 1 at 2 PM, in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. It’s sexy, witty—and definitely PG13. Tickets: $15/$10, students/seniors $10/$8 from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928). HSU Theatre, Film & Dance and Music Department co-production. Directed by Rae Robison, musical direction by Elisabeth Harrington.
Previews at Humboldt State Now and Times-Standard Northern Lights.
Hollywood comes to Humboldt in the acclaimed musical comedy CITY OF ANGELS, October 22-24, 29-31 at 7:30 PM, November 1 at 2 PM, in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. It’s sexy, witty—and definitely PG13. Tickets: $15/$10, students/seniors $10/$8 from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928). HSU Theatre, Film & Dance and Music Department co-production. Directed by Rae Robison, musical direction by Elisabeth Harrington.
Previews at Humboldt State Now and Times-Standard Northern Lights.
Hear the City Angels Sing at HSU
From October 22 to November 1, the HSU Music Department joins the Theatre, Film & Dance Department in presenting the musical comedy City of Angels on the Van Duzer Theatre stage. Known for its wit and stage sparkle, this satirical clash of Hollywood romance and reality depends at least as much on its sophisticated music. You don’t win the Tony for Best Musical without quality music, and City of Angels is particularly innovative.
The show’s composer, the legendary Cy Coleman, won the Tony for Best Score. With his background in classical and jazz, and a number of pop standards to his credit (including “Hey, Look Me Over” and “Witchcraft”), Coleman wrote what some believe is the first jazz score for a Broadway show: City of Angels.
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From October 22 to November 1, the HSU Music Department joins the Theatre, Film & Dance Department in presenting the musical comedy City of Angels on the Van Duzer Theatre stage. Known for its wit and stage sparkle, this satirical clash of Hollywood romance and reality depends at least as much on its sophisticated music. You don’t win the Tony for Best Musical without quality music, and City of Angels is particularly innovative.
The show’s composer, the legendary Cy Coleman, won the Tony for Best Score. With his background in classical and jazz, and a number of pop standards to his credit (including “Hey, Look Me Over” and “Witchcraft”), Coleman wrote what some believe is the first jazz score for a Broadway show: City of Angels.
[text continues after photos]
Musical director Elisabeth Harrington lists some of the styles this show employs: “Big Band, jazzy, movie soundtrack, super-fast patter songs, and the usual musical theatre mix: the big numbers, the ballad, the love duet, the arguing about love song with tons of double entendre.”
Harrington will be in the orchestra pit for the show, conducting a twelve piece ensemble, with horns, reeds, keyboards, bass and percussion.
Harrington will be in the orchestra pit for the show, conducting a twelve piece ensemble, with horns, reeds, keyboards, bass and percussion.
There’s also a vocal group onstage, although it’s now more Andrew Sisters than the Modernaires. “Instead of a quartet we’ve written it for a quintet—and all women. So the vocal sound is a little different, but, Harrington adds, “they all wear flashy dresses.”
From the performers’ point of view, Harrington said, “it’s a tough score. A lot of key changes, diminished chords, and the band and the singers have to really listen to each other. It’s challenging, but everybody’s working hard.”
From the performers’ point of view, Harrington said, “it’s a tough score. A lot of key changes, diminished chords, and the band and the singers have to really listen to each other. It’s challenging, but everybody’s working hard.”
Another unusual musical element is the use of themes, deliberately reminiscent of Hollywood movie soundtracks. “Some of the characters have their own little themes repeated throughout the show, and there’s a ‘kiss theme’," said Harrington. "It’s all part of the fun of remembering these great old Hollywood films.”
City of Angels Band
Clarinet, Saxophone: Michelle Marenberg, Vanessa Thomas
Flute/Piccolo: Caitlin Denning
Trumpet: Ari Davie, Brian Gill
Trombone: Bryan Vittori, Kaeden Williams
Bass: Tyler Machado
Percussion: Brett Huska, Nev Mattinson
Piano: John Chernoff
Synthesizer: Jonathan Webster
Conductor: Elisabeth Harrington
Clarinet, Saxophone: Michelle Marenberg, Vanessa Thomas
Flute/Piccolo: Caitlin Denning
Trumpet: Ari Davie, Brian Gill
Trombone: Bryan Vittori, Kaeden Williams
Bass: Tyler Machado
Percussion: Brett Huska, Nev Mattinson
Piano: John Chernoff
Synthesizer: Jonathan Webster
Conductor: Elisabeth Harrington
CITY OF ANGELS plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays October 22-24, 29-31 at 7:30 PM, with a 2 PM matinee on Sunday November 1, in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. It’s sexy, witty—and definitely PG13. Tickets: $15/$10, students/seniors $10/$8 from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928). HSU Theatre, Film & Dance and Music Department co-production.
For more information and photos go to HSU Stage.
See also Humboldt State Now.
For more information and photos go to HSU Stage.
See also Humboldt State Now.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Symphonic Band & Jazz Orchestra
HSU Symphonic Band plays a Shaker dance, a poignant elegy and a tribute to cartoon chases, followed by the Jazz Orchestra playing Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter and Dave Holland in their joint concert on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. An HSU Department of Music Production. Symphonic Band conducted by Kenneth Ayoob. Jazz Orchestra directed by Shao Way Wu.
HSU Symphonic Band plays a Shaker dance, a poignant elegy and a tribute to cartoon chases, followed by the Jazz Orchestra playing Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter and Dave Holland in their joint concert on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. An HSU Department of Music Production. Symphonic Band conducted by Kenneth Ayoob. Jazz Orchestra directed by Shao Way Wu.
What’s Up, Doc? Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra Concert
The HSU Symphonic Band begins the new school year with a short but eclectic program, featuring “Cartoon” by composer Paul Hart, a tribute to the classic cartoon scores of the golden age of Warner Brothers: the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, Tweety and Sylvester, in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
“One can hear the cat chase the mouse, the anvil fall from the sky, and the rousing overture under the opening credits,” said Symphonic Band conductor Kenneth Ayoob.
In contrast, the Symphonic Band also plays “Elegy” by John Barnes Chance, “one of the most poignant and expressive works in the band literature.” “Chorale and Shaker Dance” by John Zdechlik is based on the classic Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.”
For the concert’s second half, the HSU Jazz Orchestra takes over, performing “Razor’s Edge” by Dave Holland, the classic “Caravan” by Duke Ellington, and “Yes or No” by Wayne Shorter. This year the Jazz Orchestra is directed by noted bassist Shao Way Wu, now teaching at HSU.
The Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra perform their joint concert on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: HSU Now, Arcata Eye.
The HSU Symphonic Band begins the new school year with a short but eclectic program, featuring “Cartoon” by composer Paul Hart, a tribute to the classic cartoon scores of the golden age of Warner Brothers: the Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig, Tweety and Sylvester, in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.
“One can hear the cat chase the mouse, the anvil fall from the sky, and the rousing overture under the opening credits,” said Symphonic Band conductor Kenneth Ayoob.
In contrast, the Symphonic Band also plays “Elegy” by John Barnes Chance, “one of the most poignant and expressive works in the band literature.” “Chorale and Shaker Dance” by John Zdechlik is based on the classic Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.”
For the concert’s second half, the HSU Jazz Orchestra takes over, performing “Razor’s Edge” by Dave Holland, the classic “Caravan” by Duke Ellington, and “Yes or No” by Wayne Shorter. This year the Jazz Orchestra is directed by noted bassist Shao Way Wu, now teaching at HSU.
The Symphonic Band and Jazz Orchestra perform their joint concert on Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: HSU Now, Arcata Eye.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Daniela Mineva and Bin Huang
Internationally acclaimed violinist Bin Huang joins piano virtuoso (and new HSU faculty member) Daniela Mineva in sonatas by Debussy, Ravel, Messiaen and Franck, on Friday, October 16 at 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets: $8/$3 from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. An HSU Department of Music Faculty Artist Series concert.
Internationally acclaimed violinist Bin Huang joins piano virtuoso (and new HSU faculty member) Daniela Mineva in sonatas by Debussy, Ravel, Messiaen and Franck, on Friday, October 16 at 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets: $8/$3 from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. An HSU Department of Music Faculty Artist Series concert.
International Concert Stars Combine at HSU
Renowned concert pianist and new HSU Music faculty member Daniela Mineva makes her Humboldt County debut, hosting a rising star of international standing, violinist Bin Huang.
“We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful artist perform here,” Mineva said of Bin Huang. The opportunity for Bin Huang and Mineva to perform together made this event possible.
Bin Huang comes to Humboldt during her U.S. tour, after concerts in Italy and in the “Ten Most Celebrated Violinists” series in China. She has appeared at Lincoln Center in New York, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in Russia, Opera City in Tokyo and China’s National Grand Theater. The Baltimore Sun called her “a talent that leaves a listener flabbergasted.”
Since winning her first international violin competition at the age of 14, Bin Huang has added many other prestigious prizes, and has performed with such top ranked ensembles as the Julliard String Quartet, the Guarneri String Quartet and the Beaux Arts Trio, as well as major symphony orchestras in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Last year in Canada, she performed the world premiere of Robert Gauldin’s violin concerto, which is dedicated to her.
Her partner in this concert, pianist Daniela Mineva has won numerous international competitions and played major venues in the U.S. and Europe. The New York Times called her a “vibrant and expressive performer who could steal the show in every concert.”
Born in Bulgaria, Daniela Mineva began piano lessons at the age of five, with her mother as her first teacher. She studied at the Sofia Music Academy before earning advanced degrees in the U.S., including her Doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She has taught at the Eastman School, among other institutions, where she won an award for teaching excellence. She began teaching at HSU as Assistant Professor of Music this fall.
Bin Huang began studying the violin at the age of four in China, and entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at age nine. She came to the U.S., and earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and her Masters at the Eastman School of Music. More information is available at her web site.
Together at Fulkerson Hall, Mineva and Bin Huang will play sonatas for violin and piano by 20th century French Impressionist composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, late 19th century Belgian Romantic composer Cesar Franck, and late 20th century French composer Olivier Messiaen.
Violinist Bin Huang and pianist Daniela Mineva perform on Friday, October 16 at 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets: $8/$3 from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door.
Media: Humboldt State Now, North Coast Journal.
Renowned concert pianist and new HSU Music faculty member Daniela Mineva makes her Humboldt County debut, hosting a rising star of international standing, violinist Bin Huang.
“We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful artist perform here,” Mineva said of Bin Huang. The opportunity for Bin Huang and Mineva to perform together made this event possible.
Bin Huang comes to Humboldt during her U.S. tour, after concerts in Italy and in the “Ten Most Celebrated Violinists” series in China. She has appeared at Lincoln Center in New York, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in Russia, Opera City in Tokyo and China’s National Grand Theater. The Baltimore Sun called her “a talent that leaves a listener flabbergasted.”
Since winning her first international violin competition at the age of 14, Bin Huang has added many other prestigious prizes, and has performed with such top ranked ensembles as the Julliard String Quartet, the Guarneri String Quartet and the Beaux Arts Trio, as well as major symphony orchestras in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Last year in Canada, she performed the world premiere of Robert Gauldin’s violin concerto, which is dedicated to her.
Her partner in this concert, pianist Daniela Mineva has won numerous international competitions and played major venues in the U.S. and Europe. The New York Times called her a “vibrant and expressive performer who could steal the show in every concert.”
Born in Bulgaria, Daniela Mineva began piano lessons at the age of five, with her mother as her first teacher. She studied at the Sofia Music Academy before earning advanced degrees in the U.S., including her Doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She has taught at the Eastman School, among other institutions, where she won an award for teaching excellence. She began teaching at HSU as Assistant Professor of Music this fall.
Bin Huang began studying the violin at the age of four in China, and entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at age nine. She came to the U.S., and earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, and her Masters at the Eastman School of Music. More information is available at her web site.
Together at Fulkerson Hall, Mineva and Bin Huang will play sonatas for violin and piano by 20th century French Impressionist composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, late 19th century Belgian Romantic composer Cesar Franck, and late 20th century French composer Olivier Messiaen.
Violinist Bin Huang and pianist Daniela Mineva perform on Friday, October 16 at 8 PM in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets: $8/$3 from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door.
Media: Humboldt State Now, North Coast Journal.
The Program
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor by Claude Debussy.
Written in 1917, this was Debussy’s last composition.
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major by Maurice Ravel
Completed in 1927, this was also Ravel’s last chamber music composition, noted for its second movement, titled “Blues.”
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major by Cesar Franck
Composed in 1886 as a wedding gift for a celebrated violinist, this is one of Franck’s best known and most recorded works. Franck was notable for employing a cyclic form( using a central motif to generate principal themes that unify several movements of a single work), which influenced the compositions of Debussy and Ravel.
Fantasie for Violin and Piano by Olivier Messiaen
Only published recently for the first time, Messiaen composed this work in 1933 for his first wife, the violinist and composer Claire Delbos. Messiaen experimented especially with rhythms. He was also an ornithologist who included birdsong in many compositions, and he had a form of synesthesia in which sounds produced colors, correspondences which he developed in several works.
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor by Claude Debussy.
Written in 1917, this was Debussy’s last composition.
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major by Maurice Ravel
Completed in 1927, this was also Ravel’s last chamber music composition, noted for its second movement, titled “Blues.”
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major by Cesar Franck
Composed in 1886 as a wedding gift for a celebrated violinist, this is one of Franck’s best known and most recorded works. Franck was notable for employing a cyclic form( using a central motif to generate principal themes that unify several movements of a single work), which influenced the compositions of Debussy and Ravel.
Fantasie for Violin and Piano by Olivier Messiaen
Only published recently for the first time, Messiaen composed this work in 1933 for his first wife, the violinist and composer Claire Delbos. Messiaen experimented especially with rhythms. He was also an ornithologist who included birdsong in many compositions, and he had a form of synesthesia in which sounds produced colors, correspondences which he developed in several works.
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