MUSICAL NOTES
Did you ever realize that many of Richard Rodgers’ wonderful songs are waltzes? At Music Monday, we were treated to conversation with Edward Alley (conductor) and Marcus DeLoach (baritone) along with DeLoach’s warm and luscious renditions of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and other songs from Showboat and South Pacific. Kudos to June LeBell for the consistently high caliber of programming she presents!
I like that music director Anu Tali is expanding the Sarasota Orchestra’s repertoire beyond the usual standards and pushing the audience to listen outside its comfort zone. This past week’s concert was nicely balanced between two Tchaikovsky works and Symphony No. 6 (Strata) by contemporary Estonian composer, Erkki-Sven Tuur. Mr. Tuur was present and addressed the audience before the concert. His advice to not try and understand the work, but rather to just immerse oneself in the music was helpful, and I found myself enjoying the wall of sound in the opening section (lots of vibrant percussion) and then appreciating the lighter, higher notes that followed. It was not discordant and hard to listen to like some contemporary music.
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is a very familiar piece and one I’ve heard many times, but never quite like this performance. Pianist Simon Trpceski’s rendition was robust, almost fierce at times, and watching his hands and feet, hands as they sped over the keys and feet as they stomped on the pedals and then retreated, added to the enjoyment. He and the orchestra were well matched in the intensity of the playing and the audience responded with vigorous applause.
READING
The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. This slender novel by the late Fitzgerald was first published in 1978 and recently recommended to me by Elsie at Bookstore 1. Widow Florence Green decides her small town should have a bookstore and that she should create one. She opens her small shop, adds a lending library as well, and assumes that all will be well. With economical sentences that pack much into a few words, Fitzgerald captures the personalities and often small-mindedness of a town set in its ways. Short on action, this is a slice of life in England in the late 1950’s.
The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien. O’Brien is a noted Irish author of novels, short stories, plays, and poetry and has been much praised. This is her most recent novel and I’m reading it for my book group. The main character, Dr. Vlad, is a charismatic healer and teacher who comes from away to take up residence in a small village. Some of the chapters seem to stand alone and the characters don’t yet seem to have jelled. I’m not sure what to make of it, but will definitely finish it.
LOCAL DINING—CASUAL & ELEGANT
Cedar Reef Fish Camp. This casual restaurant off Route 70 in Bradenton near I-75 is a good choice for lunch. We met Pennsylvania friends traveling south (a repeat of last year) and again found it tasty and reasonably priced. Their cedar planked salmon is excellent, the French fries too temptingly good, and the regular fish and chips good also. The special Alaskan Pollock fried fish was skimpy, but then it was one of the cheapest items on offer. For non-seafood lovers, there are burgers and chicken. Seating is at booths or tables and the dining room staff were all most welcoming. They also have two locations in Venice and do take reservations.
Bijou Café. With white tablecloths, this softly lit dining room always feels and looks elegant, the service is gracious, and the food delicious. We connected with quasi-local friends here for lunch and appreciated the wide range of menu choices. The Chief Penguin tucked into the short rib sandwich, the chicken paillard was excellent as always (a larger portion for those hungry at noon), and the crab salad special a hit. For a leisurely, relaxed meal in downtown Sarasota, this is the place. Reservations recommended as it is popular at all times.
Photos copyright JWFarrington (some rights reserved)
