Author Archives: Scott

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About Scott

A cultural thinker with a life long interest in the arts and humanities: theatre, music, architecture, photography, history, urban planning, etc.

Organ recital, James O’Donnell

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The monthly recital of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for February features James O’Donnell,Organist and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey and, since January 2011, President of the Royal College of Organists.The recital will take place at 8pm at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.

O’Donnell is internationally recognized as a conductor and organ recitalist. He has given organ concerts all over the world, including the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Europe. He has appeared as organ soloist in the BBC Proms and at many other festivals.

In January 2000 James O’Donnell took up his present appointment at Westminster Abbey, where he is responsible for the direction of the Abbey’s music at the daily choral services and the many great occasions which take place there. These have recently included the State Visit of Pope Benedict XVI and the Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Alongside his responsibilities at Westminster Abbey, James O’Donnell has worked widely as soloist and director with many of the country’s leading orchestras and ensembles. In 2011 he became Music Director of St James’s Baroque. Until 2004 he was professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music, and is now Visiting Professor. He was awarded Honorary Membership of the Academy in 2002, and in 2009 was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Music. In November 2010 he was Artist in Residence at Yale University. He was elected to an Honorary Fellowship of Jesus College, Cambridge in October last year.

Chamber Music Society of LR – Hye Jin Kim, violin

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The Chamber Music Society of Little Rock is hosting violinist Hye-Jin Kim tonight.  She performs with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute in a program featuring Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata, Sibelius’s Five Miniatures, and the Violin Sonata by Leos Janacek.  The concert will take place at the Parish Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 North Mississippi Avenue in Little Rock. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM.

Describing the artistry of this Winner of the 2009 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, The Strad lauded her “…supremely musical playing, well-thought out, yet of the moment.” Ms. Kim’s sensitivity to the expressive and contextual components of the violin repertoire enables her to transport audiences beyond mere technical virtuosity, and this remarkable musical depth and passion led to her First Prize at the 2004 Yehudi Menuhin International Competition when she was only nineteen.

For additional information and to hear Ms. Kim perform, visit http://www.concertartists.org/hye-jin-kim_bio.htm and www.hyejinkim.com

Tickets are $25 at the door, $10 for students. Additional ticket and concert information is available at: www.chambermusiclr.com

Time to Return to MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

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Tomorrow afternoon (2/16), the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will open a new exhibit on the life and career of General Douglas MacArthur.  The building which houses the museum was the birthplace of the future five star general.  As a part of the reception, a new painting will be unveiled in commemoration of the 136th anniversary of his birth.

The reception is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on February 16 at the museum in historic MacArthur Park.

While at the museum, be sure and check out A Splendid Little War: Arkansas and the Spanish-American War which runs through April.  It explores America’s role in the brief war with Spain over territory, the destruction of the “USS Maine” and the many Arkansans who volunteered for service during the war. On display are uniforms, weapons, a battle flag from the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, memorabilia surrounding the war and many other artifacts used by Arkansans serving in the war.

Heart of Art

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From the recent Tesseract Dancing exhibit at Historic Arkansas Museum, here is Brett Anderson’s Stone Cold.  Made of alabaster and stainless steel, this 7″x6″x6″ sculpture is either abstract or realistic depending on the angle.  Unfortunately the LR Culture Vulture only has this one photo of it so you cannot truly appreciate his artistry.

The Tesseract Dancing exhibit showcased Anderson and Emily Galusha.  It was a wonderful exhibit and a great showcase for two up-and-coming Arkansas artists.

Rep Receiving Recognition

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Arkansas Business Publishing Group has announced the nominees for the 2012 Arkansas Business of the Year Awards.  Most years, cultural organizations and leaders appear in the non-profit categories.  2012 is no exception.

This year the Arkansas Repertory Theatre is nominated as Non-Profit Organization of the Year.  Also nominated this year is Robert Hupp, the Rep’s Producing Artistic Director in the category of Non-Profit Executive of the Year.

Many of the businesses nominated in the categories are also supporters of cultural organizations in the metropolitan Little Rock area.  At the risk of an omission, this entry won’t try to enumerate the nominees and the cultural institutions they support.  But without the support of the business community and business leaders, non-profit cultural institutions could not survive.

The awards will take place on Tuesday, February 21.  To purchase tickets, visit here.

 

Hupp to be honored by PR professionals

Earlier this month, the Arkansas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced that Hupp will received the Diamond Award on March 16 at the Little Rock Club.

The Diamond Award is Arkansas PRSA’s highest honor for contributions made during a career to enhance the image of Arkansas through work consistent with the principles of public relations.

The awards ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m., Friday, March 16, at the Little Rock Club. The event will be free to PRSA members, $40 for nonmembers and $20 for students. Reservations should be submitted by March 14.   Visit the PRSA website here.

Read a Book

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It’s a Monday.

Snow is starting to blanket Central Arkansas, most museums are closed on Mondays, most theatres are dark this day as well.

This is a good evening to read a book either as God intended (holding paper, cloth and cardboard in your hands) or electronically.  Thanks to Central Arkansas Library System participating in Inter-Library Loan, I am currently reading the plays My Three Angels and Scapino!

I also have a stack of books I’ve purchased over the year that haven’t been read.  Before this year’s Arkansas Literary Festival I must make headway on this stack or I’ll be on a self-imposed book-purchase ban.

Sculpture Vulture: Harriet Tubman

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In preparation for the opening of the Clinton Library in 2004, a series of sculptures were placed which linked a walkway between the River Market and the Clinton Presidential Park.

One of these sculptures is entitled Harriet Tubman.  Since she was from the era of President Lincoln, it seems fitting to feature this sculpture on this, Lincoln’s birthday.

The bronze sculpture, by Jane DeDecker, depicts Miss Tubman grasping the hand of a young boy and leading him on a walk.  DeDecker captures both compassion and a steely determination in the features of Miss Tubman’s face.  The folds of their clothes indicate that they are on a journey.

Whether their walk is a part of the Underground Railroad or simply a walk along the path in post-war times is immaterial. Miss Tubman understood that there is always some form of oppression one must struggle against.

Etched into the base of the statue (and repeated on plaque on the pedestal) is a quote attributed to Miss Tubman.  “Children, if you are tired, keep going; if you’re hungry, keep going; if you’re scared, keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

The statue was originally located in Riverfront Park near the site of the current Game and Fish Nature Center.  It was relocated during the construction of that facility and now anchors the entrance to Clinton Presidential Park.  Harriet Tubman was a gift of Haskell and Peggy Dickinson to the City of Little Rock.