RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 23, 2009, City Classics
Music and Dance through December 30
Kansas City’s classical music organizations have been treating us to some spectacular concerts the past few weeks, but during this Christmas weekend it all slows to a crawl as the musicians and dancers are, for the most part, taking well deserved rests before gearing up for the second halves of their seasons beginning in January. The one exception is the Kansas City Ballet’s performances of "The Nutcracker" which continue through the Christmas weekend, although not on Christmas Day. If you haven’t seen Todd Bolender’s conception of the Tchaikovsky classic this is your chance; it doesn’t conflict with any other performances on your calendar! The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance is also at rest, but is featuring an interesting recital of two alumni performers next Monday. Next weekend is similarly slow, but watch this space in the next issue, because we will preview some of the performances to anticipate during the remainder of the classical music year in 2010.
Kansas City Ballet
The Nutcracker
Runs through December 27
Music Hall
301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
For tickets call 816-931-2232 or order online at www.kcballet.org
If you haven't seen it already, it is not too late to rediscover the wonder of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at the Kansas City Ballet this holiday season. The performances continue through the weekend after Christmas. The E.T.A. Hoffmann story as set to music by Tchaikovsky is one of the mostly justifiably acclaimed musical scores of all time, and the Ballet's choreography by the late, great Todd Bolender is classic.
It's a great opportunity to take the whole family to enjoy a fine music and dance performance. And...psst!...you don't even have to have a kid along to enjoy the show. Just plain adults love The Nutcracker also.
Check out the Dance and Music reviews in this edition of KCM.
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Jeremy Harmon, cello, and Brendan Kinsella, piano
Monday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO
Free admission. For more information visit http://conservatory.umkc.edu
This concert pairs Boston-based cellist/guitarist Jeremy Harman, an alumnus of the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, with current Conservatory pianist and faculty member Brendan Kinsella.
Harman boasts roots in rock, metal, and jazz fusion in addition to classical music, and performs everywhere from concert halls and art galleries, to carnivals and street corners, bars and clubs to basement shows. He has been heard on NPR's Mountainstage and on Make TV (PBS) and Balcony TV in Dublin and OBA Live in Amsterdam. He has toured and performed his own tunes for solo cello across the States and Europe, including shows in Ireland, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Slovakia. Harman has also served as principal cellist of the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, where he collaborated with such musical legends as Tony Bennett, John Williams, Bobby McFerrin and Quincy Jones, in performances at the Kodak Theatre, Walt Disney Hall, and Royce Hall at UCLA.
Kinsella, who recently received a doctorate at the UMKC Conservatory, has performed as a soloist with a number of music groups including the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Kentucky Symphony.
The free program by this pair will feature Brahms' Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 1; the Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano; Messiaen's "Regard de l'Esprit de joie" from Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus; and Fratres by Arvo Part.
City Classics Music and Dance Columnist; Classical Contributor
A lifelong classical music fan, Don Dagenais is a frequent preview speaker for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and has taught classical music and opera courses at several Kansas City venues. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of performing arts organizations including the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Lyric Opera Guild, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Opera Volunteers International, the Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony, Octarium, and the Friends of the Symphony. He has been the past president of most of these organizations and is current the president of the Friends of the Symphony.
Dagenais co-authored a history of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, published on the occasion of its 50th anniversary (2007) and has written books on the histories of both the Lyric Opera Guild and Opera Volunteers International, as well as an introductory book for opera novices (Your Passport to the Opera). He has received several local and national awards for outstanding volunteer work for the arts, including a lifetime achievement award from The Coterie Theatre in 2000, the Kansas City Musical Club's annual award in 2001, a Partners in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2002, a Bravo Award from Opera Volunteers International in 2004 and a community service award from the Daughter of the American Revolution in 2008 honoring him for his community service to the arts.
In addition to his music interests, Don is president of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater and has served on the boards of The Coterie Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, serving as president of each organization. He publishes newsletters for seven arts organizations. When not involved in the performing arts, Don is a senior real estate attorney with Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has practiced law since 1976 after graduating from the Cornell Law School.
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