Yearly Archives: 2013
Artspree features Nikita Mndoyants
Coming from the family of professional musicians, pianist Nikita Mndoyants began to play piano and compose music at a very young age. He entered Central Music School in Moscow in 1995, and gave his first public recital two years later, when he was eight years old. In March of 1999, the ten-year old Nikita appeared at the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall in Helsinki. His extraordinary performance there was recorded and issued on a CD in 2001.
Nikita Mndoyants graduated from the Moscow Central Music School with honors as a pianist and composer in 2006.
In 2011 Nikita graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatoire where he studied with Professor Alexander Tchaykovsky (composition), Prof. Alexander Mndoyants and Prof. Nikolay Petrov (piano).
During his studies at school, he won several national and international piano and composition competitions.
He took part in master-classes in Verbier Festival and Academy (2004).
In summer of 2005 N. Mndoyants studied in the Tel-Hai Piano Master-classes in Israel. He won the 1st prize of The Concerto competition, that took place there. In November of 2007 he won the First prize of The VII International Paderewski Piano Competition in Poland and also special prize for the best semi-final recital. Following his successful recital in Helsinki, during the last decade Nikita toured throughout Russia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Estonia, China, Switzerland, Israel, France, and the United States.
Nikita took part in numerous music festivals, including “Musical Kremlin”, “Moscow Autumn”, 14th Piano Festival in Liepae (Latvia), International Keyboard Institute & Festival (New York) and the 63rd Chopin Festival in Duszniki-Zdroj (Poland), festival dedicated to World Economic Forum in Davos, (Switzerland).
Nikita appears with recitals in the best concert halls in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Cortot Hall and Louvre Auditorium in Paris, Warsaw Philharmonic. In 2004, he appeared with the famous Borodin Quartet, performing Quintet by Shostakovich.
SantaLand Diaries in Central Arkansas this weekend
The stores have been in the midst of Christmas since before Labor Day. So it is not too early for theatrical ventures to turn their attentions to Christmastime. This weekend, the Vagabond Theatre Company presents David Sedaris’ essay-turned-One-Man Show this November!
The SantaLand Diaries is a hilarious account of Sedaris’ stint working as a Christmas elf in “SantaLand” at Macy’s department store is what shot Sedaris to national recognition. Starring Jordy Neill and directed by Chad Bradford, you can catch SantaLand Diaries on Saturday, November 9, at 8 p.m. at the Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church on 16th and Louisiana Street, in Little Rock or on Sunday, November 10, at 8 p.m. at The Lantern Theatre on 1021 Van Ronkle, in Conway.
Tickets may be purchased at the door. House opens at 7:30 p.m
Beethoven, Blue Jeans, Beer, Brats all with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra this weekend
This weekend: Maestro Philip Mann and the ASO are joined by talented cellist Inbal Segev for the ASO’s most popular Masterworks concert, featuring Strauss’s Die Fledermaus: Overture, Gulda’s rollicking Cello Concerto, and, of course, the mighty Beethoven with his Symphony No. 4. Wear jeans to this casual concert and be sure to come early for the 3rd Annual Beer and Brats Street Party!
Beethoven and Blue Jeans presents a thoroughly Viennese affair with sounds of court, nature, and even the city’s downtown clubs. Opening the performance in quintessential fashion is Johann Strauss’s Overture to Die Fledermaus, which is infused with the excitement of nighttime Vienna and its grand waltzes and intoxicating flair. A personal favorite, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 is one of the most perfect works of the classical Viennese symphony genre. His brilliance and wit is particularly sharp is one of his finest and most joyful works, whose only shortcoming is that it was a middle child -falling between Eroica and the mighty 5th Symphony.
Outrageous personality Friedrich Gulda crossed genres between jazz and classical as a pianist, but as a composer he left all labels behind. His Concerto for Cello and Wind Orchestra is an altogether Viennese work citing everything from Haydn to rock and roll as inspiration. It could easily have been kitsch, but Gulda’s genius engenders a work of style, fun, and panache. Bringing the unforgettable concerto to the Robinson stage is critically acclaimed cellist, Inbal Segev, making her ASO debut.
This casual concert kicks off with the Beer & Brats Street Party at 6 pm on Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday. Concert ticket holders can enjoy free brats, $2 Diamond Bear beer, the sounds of the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band, and maybe a few surprises! Concert goers can follow @ARsymphony and the hashtag #BeethovenAndBlueJeans via Twitter to get the inside scoop about the Street Party and to learn insights about the concert in progress.
Tickets for this casual concert and street party start at $14 – click here to get your tickets now!
Beethoven & Blue Jeans attendees can also support the Arkansas Foodbank by dropping off a frozen turkey or other bird at the BBJ Street Party. And as a thank you, turkey donors will receive a pair of free tickets to any concert from the ASO’s 2013-2014 Season.
2nd Friday Art Night Tonight
The monthly 2nd Friday Art Night is tonight at various locations in downtown Little Rock.
Among the participating sites are Historic Arkansas Museum, the Old State House Museum, Christ Episcopal Church, studioMain, Hearne Fine Art, and the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies.
Art, music, food, drinks and its all free from 5pm to 8pm. Transportation from the various sites is provided by a free shuttle as well.
182 Years of Incorporated Little Rock
Though last week marked the 178th year of Little Rock being a City (November 2), today marks Little Rock’s official birthday as a chartered, officially recognized municipality.
On November 7, 1831, the Arkansas Territory officially recognized the Town of Little Rock and authorized a government to be formed and a Mayor and Aldermen to be elected.
There are several earlier and later days which could be used to mark Little Rock’s official birth (LaHarpe sighting in 1722, first settler in 1812, permanent settlement in 1820, selection of trustees in 1825, City of First Class in 1875) — but it is November 7, 1831, which has been the officially recognized and accepted date. In 1931, Little Rock celebrated her centennial.
Little Rock Look Back: Mayor W H Walters
On November 6, 1912, future Little Rock Mayor William H. Walters was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.
He ran for the City Board of Directors in 1970 and was unopposed. Walters took office on January 1, 1971 and served one term on the City Board. He chose not to run for a second term and left office on December 31, 1974.
In January 1973, he was selected by his colleagues to serve a two year term as Mayor of the City of Little Rock.
Throughout his life, Mayor Walters enjoyed traveling and visiting over 100 countries throughout the world. Mr. Walters had a keen interest in the circus and collected circus memorabilia from many countries.
He was employed by 3M Company. He was Superintendent and Acting Plant Manager beginning January 1, 1951 and 3M Plant Manager beginning February 1, 1972. He retired in 1977.
In addition to serving on the City Board, he had been active in the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (he served as Chamber President in 1969), Kiwanis Club, Associated Industries of Arkansas and the YMCA among other activities.
Mayor Walters died on February 14, 2005 at the age of 94.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 