Saturday, December 5, 2009

After concert notes

How fortunate we all were last night as it was certainly absolutely unforgettable benchmark for our Classical Underground. The intimacy of live music-making between Boris Andrianov, Liza Andrianov, Roberto Cani, Yana Reznik …you simply had to be there to know, as it was purely experiential.

Boris Andrianov proves once again – “Classical” can rock you and shake you to the depths of your foundation…that’s what the real ART does and ART can only be HIGH. - Alexey





Was amazing! Thank you for bringing together such great talents. I adore music and have not seen a live performance in a while, what a rush of sensations.
See you next time. - Anahita


A TOTALLY AWESOME CU ALEXEY !!! MANY, MANY, MANY THANKS ALWAYS ...!
- Kirk

Indeed an incredible performance...!!! A concert to be remembered!!! -
Ignat



That was the most amazing night... - Christina

Dear Alexey and Olga,
The evening with Boris Andrianov and Friends was spectacular. He is an astonishing virtuoso, and everyone played impeccably. The Shostakovich trio was heartbreaking—a reminder of a terrible time for his (and your) country.

Thank you for all you do to keep the true spirit of music and art alive in LA. Affectionately, - Judith


For more photographs from the event please go to Picasa - courtesy of Michael Herf and Alexey Steele.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

December 3 Programme

alexey steele presents
CLASSICAL UNDERGROUND
December 3, 2009
Friends in Town Series

P.Tchaikovsky Nocturne

M.de Falla Suite populaire Espagnole
El Pano Moruno
Nana
Cancion
Polo
Asturiana
Jota

M.Bruch Kol Nidrei

G.Sollima Alone (cello solo)

S.Rachmaninov 3 romances
V molchanii nochi tainoi
Kak mne bolno
Vesennie vodi

G.Sollima Lamentatio

N.Paganini Variations on One string on a theme by Rossini's opera Mose in Egitto

D.Shostakovitch Trio N.2 e minor in 4 movements


Performed by:

Boris Andrianov (cello)
Elizavetta Andrianov (piano)
Roberto Cani (violin)
Yana Reznik (piano)


CLASSICAL UNDERGROUND SHOWCASE
focusing on a classical art form of
serious contemporary representational art

MEXICO - THE LAND OF MYTH

previewing works of CU painters
IGNAT IGNATOV, JEREMY LIPKING
and ALEXEY STEELE
from a recent Mexico trip

We just came from the most incredible painting excursion alone with our east coast compadres to San Miguel de Allende and we decided to share with you some of the material we brought back. It was a remarkable trip of artistic camaraderie and inspiration, excitement and all-out nutty fun, of discoveries and stimulating exchanges - all fueling our very own joint cultural insurgency in the name of ART.

Ignat Ignatov, Street Corner 12" X 9"


Jeremy Lipking "Doll seller" 8" X 6" oil



Alexey Steele "Shoeshiner. San Miguel Jay" 65" X 26"

It was an extraordinary trip... It was absolutely enormous experience...it shook me to the ground depths... What true to the core, solid and grounded characters...still somehow untouched by the all-avergizing militant consumerism of "empty can" worshipers... I saw enormous in their raw, authentic strength and unpolished beauty themes and images...

Everything that ART as TRUTH is all about - lays bare right there...south of our border...

Mexico...what a mythic land of so real people and so true characters...humble without subservience, proud without arrogance...how much we've lost in a name of "consumer"

Viva Revolucion de Arte!!!
Alexey

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Rex and Classical Underground on ABC Eyewitness News










by Adrienne Alpert, KABC

Thanks to music, a teen with severe disabilities discovered an extraordinary talent. And with it, what could have been a very limited life has enlightened thousands.

Cathleen Lewis was told her son might never walk or talk. Rex was born blind and mentally impaired 14 years ago. He developed autistic symptoms. But at age 2, he was given a piano.

Rex cannot read music. He can play exactly what he hears. He is one of the world's very few musical savants. Rex learned all of "Rhapsody in Blue" in five hours. He has music teachers and hours of practice, and his technique, his improvisation, are growing more sophisticated every day.

Rex performed at Classical Underground earlier this month, a progressive venue. He and his mother travel frequently for his performances. She speaks, delivering a message of inspiration.

"Rex is my greatest teacher. He's taught me to stop just chasing after 'things,'" said Cathleen.

Cathleen walked away from a career in finance and now teaches visually impaired children when she and Rex aren't on the road.

"He gets such joy when he plays for people. You should see his face. It's like plugging him into an electrical socket. He lights up like he's been given a shot of adrenaline," said Cathleen.

And while audiences are clearly moved by this boy whose world revolves around music, Cathleen has written a book describing her life with Rex and the music that transformed them.

"There's no giving up, I'm on a fascinating ride. It's not just not giving up. It's 'enjoy the ride,'" said Cathleen.

Rex doesn't carry on a conversation, but he has opinions. When asked whose music he likes best, he answers, "Mine."

He goes to public high school where he receives special education. And just recently, a breakthrough.

"Out of the blue, last year, he had his hand on a page of Braille, and all of a sudden, he was reading Braille. Six years later," said Cathleen.

With his heightened sensitivity, Rex couldn't touch Braille, until now. And he is broadening his musical abilities by learning how to sing.

Music opened Rex's curiosity about the world. There is no telling where it might take him.

(Copyright ©2010 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)