Monday, February 13, 2012
Click on the photo to view more pictures from our December event!Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Our February CU is on Thursday - Feb 9 - sold out!
February Night
next Thursday (as rare exception), the 9th @ 8 p.m.
next Thursday (as rare exception), the 9th @ 8 p.m.
Russian Encore!
We are very happy to have Alexander Kobrin, first prize winner of the Van Cliburn and Busoni piano competitions as well as a prize winner of the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, making his first appearance at Classical Underground. Alexander will perform Beethoven's 32 Variations in C, and will be joined by the outstanding cellist and CU fave Boris Andrianov for the Beethoven Cello Sonata #4 and the Benjamin Britten Cello Sonata.
Alexander Kobrin Boris Andrianov
Making their first appearance at CU, the young Russian cello virtuoso Evgeny Tonkha and pianist and composer Anna Drubich will premier Anna's "Intro Version" as well as perform works by Stravinsky and the most esteemed living Russian composer, Rodion Shchedrin.
Evgeny Tonkha Anna Drubich
And for the tasty palate cleanser between cello courses, the Croatian bass-baritone Boris Martinovich will sign some Rossini accompanied by CU regular Kanae Matsumoto on piano.
Boris Martinovich Kanae Matsumoto
As always - bring your spirits, food and drink for you and your friends to enjoy.
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at
for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.
To RSVP use this link to paypal. We are sold out!
Classical Underground is thrilled to Showcase
a spectacular exhibition
now at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
at Pepperdine University
as well as its direct connection to ART of our Day.
as well as its direct connection to ART of our Day.
William Adolphe Bouguereau (1885)
Young Girl Going to the Spring 63 1/8 x 28 7/8 in
I heard gloating is not good, but time and again we are being reminded that nowhere else in the nation is the "off the beaten track" alternative contemporary ART process as vibrant as it is in LA. Case in point - the rare and important visionary exhibition of one of the nation's most unique collections of 19th century academic ART at a museum whose prime expertise is contemporary ART.
Yes, there are some wonderful exhibitions of superb ART around the nation, yet this show is special and thoroughly unique in its rare intimacy, getting to the very heart of a vibrant artistic conversation that we are witnessing currently around the nation and in LA and which burns with brilliant intensity completely under the radar of the "official" art establishment.
As the show generated tremendous buzz and excitement among many artists in Southern California, the museum director Michael Zakian invited a group of somewhat notorious LA figurative painters to discuss the relevance of 19th century academic ART in a special article for the fabulous Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. What do you know, most of them including myself turned out to be die-hard Classical Underground painters, so it appeared only natural to have this subversive bunch, selected for the article, to highlight the show with their -- or rather our -- current work.
Adrian Gottlieb
The Airforce Subject oil on linen
Jeremy Lipking
Ma Lo oil on linen 20 x 16in
Tony Pro
"il comico divino" oil on linen 40 X 30 in
Kate Sammons
Venus de Milo charcoal on paper 25 x 36 in
and me
Alexey Steele
Madonna Of The Storm oil 80 x 36in
Through works of good friends Adrian Gottlieb, Jeremy Lipking, Tony Pro and Kate Sammons it is quite exciting to see how our group represents the wide artistic force and creative talent of our day, each in their own unique way building upon rigorous and powerful visual and philosophical principles developed by the academic tradition, way beyond any specific "look" and based on wide-ranging aesthetic preferences, helping build the vibrant and truly diverse contemporary ART not of decades past, but of our day.
In ART we trust!
About the performers at the Feb 9 program
Alexander Kobrin is a winner of several int'l piano competitions such as the Van Cliburn Int'l Piano Competition, Busoni Int'l Piano Competition. A faculty member on the Int'l Keyboard Festival in Mannes School of Music in NYC, and at the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University.
Boris Andrianov, CU favorite, one of the most gifted Russian musicians of his generation, winner of the bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition and Russian laureate at the International Rostropovich Competition in Paris.
Boris Martinovich, Croatian Bass-Baritone who has appeared in the major opera houses of the U.S. and Europe.
Kanae Matsumoto, is active as a soloist and a collaborative pianist, having performed many recital halls in Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and the United States.
Evgeny Tonkha is one today’s most talented Russian cellists.Among his achievements are the 1st Prize and the Golden Medal at the 12th International Cello Competition in the Czech Republic, the Special Jury Prize at the 13th International Tchaikovsky Competition, and prizes for the best performance of contemporary music.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
CU: December 19 - Music and Art at the Studio Holiday event + with Toy Drive + please dress warm!
We are sold out!!!!
Classical Underground was founded on the spirit and synergy of uniting a community of Art in painting and music. If there is a musical composition that most clearly embodies this spirit, it would be Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," written to commemorate the paintings of his dear artist friend, Viktor Hartmann.
In the spirit of Christmas, we would appreciate if you could please bring an unwrapped toy for our good friends and neigbbors Glory Christian International Church's toy drive in support of their extensive work with underprivileged inner city children.
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As always - bring your spirits, food and drink for you and your friends to enjoy. Please RSVP via Paypal (above). We are sold out. The paypal link is removed.
******
Dear friends,
Classical Underground was founded on the spirit and synergy of uniting a community of Art in painting and music. If there is a musical composition that most clearly embodies this spirit, it would be Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," written to commemorate the paintings of his dear artist friend, Viktor Hartmann.
For our December program, Mikael Oganes will play selections from this great virtuoso suite while surrounded by an Exhibition of Pictures selected by our dear friend Jeremy Lipking from a recent show of excellent artists at his studio (see Artist Showcase notes below).
Mark Kashper Kanae Matsumoto
Mark Kashper, beloved master violinist of the LA Philharmonic, and the graceful pianist Kanae Matsumoto return to CU to perform Schubert's lovely and charming Sonatina in G minor.
Victor de Almeida Mikael Oganes
We welcome for the first time to Classical Underground the outstanding violist Victor de Almeida, who will be joined by Mikael Oganes in some festive Piazolla tangos.
Michael Kaufman Ran Kampel
Christopher Goodpasture
Also making their CU debut from USC's Thornton School of Music, performing the Beethoven Clarinet Trio, are Christopher Goodpasture - piano, Michael Kaufman - cello, and Ran Kampel - clarinet.
Steven Vanhauwaert Danny Holt
And a demi-debut: pianist Steven Vanhauwaert, who played at our Levitt Pavilion outing in Pasadena last summer, will be joined by fellow pianist Danny Holt in fanciful duos by Igor Stravinsky and Alfredo Casella.
Noel Gould
If youare a hardcore Undergrounder who sticks around for our decadent after-party bachanals, you know that our awesome recording engineer Noel Gould is himself also a wonderful pianist. For this program we have finally enticed him to share some Chopin in primetime, and of course after-party as well!
Laurence Vittes
Journalist and CU comrade Laurence Vittes is introducing a classical music writing workshop "How To Write About Classical Music Without Becoming A Critic" with a free trial for CU guest, with a post-concert discussion which will start right after the concert (just meet at the bar). Steinway CD587
A very important member of our December 19th event is Steinway CD587! It is one of the favorite pianos in the Concert & Artist Department. It was recently used for a recording session featuring singer, songwriter Melody Gardot. CD587 has been described by pianists as having a medium bodied tone with excellent sustain. The piano's action is firm without being heave.
In the spirit of Christmas, we would appreciate if you could please bring an unwrapped toy for our good friends and neigbbors Glory Christian International Church's toy drive in support of their extensive work with underprivileged inner city children.
****
As always - bring your spirits, food and drink for you and your friends to enjoy. Please RSVP via Paypal (above). We are sold out. The paypal link is removed.
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at
for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.
******
Classical Underground Showcase:
Jeremy Lipking
Joseph Todorovitch
Rose Frantzen
Tony Pro
Ignat Ignatov
and me
In ART we trust!
Alexey Steele
***
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
CU news and beyond plus LA Phil tickets giveaway!
Dear friends!
What an amazing experience of beauty, passion and refinement November night turned out to be! The level of the performers, the choice of the music, the surprises! Thanks to all great musicians, thanks to the amazing audience!!!!!!! Here are some photos from the night - and you can view a lot more in our picasa album.
Upcoming events
December 4, Sunday @ 3 p.m.
EDUARDO DELGADO, piano
special guest performance
Program: Liszt repertroire
Bosendorfer Pianos
5539 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
Must RSVP at 818-787-0201 due to limited seating
a live study of Eduardo playing at CU by Rose Frantzen
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TICKETS GIVEAWAY!
LA Phil is offering a pair of tickets to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic orchestra to Classical Underground devotees. Please respond to this email to be considered for the drawing.
giveaway is for two tickets to the Wednesday, December 14, concert
Handel's Messiah
Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 14, 8:00pm at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Artists:
Philharmonia Baroque
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Dominique Labelle, soprano
Daniel Taylor, alto
Thomas Cooley, tenor
Nathaniel Watson, baritone
Philharmonia Chorale, Bruce Lamott, director
Program:
Handel: Messiah
Additional Info:
Although it's a widely known fact, it still beggars belief that Handel could have completed the three-hour Messiah in a mere 24 days. He created many versions over the years depending on the needs of a particular performance, but the result has become one of the most well-known and appreciated works in Western choral literature. Movement after movement features unforgettable melodies, impeccable choral counterpoint, tremendous rhythmic variety and expressive word painting. It's no wonder that it's so popular. Hearing it in a stylistically aware period performance adds even more to the enjoyment.
Presented by LAPhil. For tickets and information, visit LAPhil.com.
***
You can support Classical Underground by getting a cool Classical Underground hat and/or a t-shirt! Inquire at classicalunderground @ yahoo.com
Alissa Margulis, Jura Margulis, Olga Vlasova
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Bryan Pezzone wearing CU hat |
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Our next event is coming in December! Stay tuned!
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