These blessed Islands sure do attract some serious talent and here to prove it are several amazing concerts courtesy of Cayman Arts Festival.
Friday, 10 February
Breaking the Barrier – From Bach to Billie Jean
The Crescent, Camana Bay, 7.30pm – free entry
Sponsors: Island Heritage, Camana Bay
Charles Yang, violin, and Peter Dugan, piano, illustrate the organic connection between the classical, rock and pop worlds in this exciting program, featuring works by Ravel, Sarasate, Queen, Paganini, Rachmaninov, and Yang himself. These two classically trained musicians will embrace the diverse power of all music forms in an unforgettable music listening experience.
“I believe that these two forms of music are just not well acquainted with each other anymore,” Charles tells us.
“It is as if they went on a first date, but neither party called to schedule the next. Not so long ago, classical music used to go hand in hand with popular music with musicians like Kreisler or Heifetz arranging pop tunes for the violin or Sinatra calling for a lush, lyrical string section.
“Today, it is rare to see a classical musician giving up their time to learn how to improvise or arrange pop tunes because it is just not encouraged enough within the field. Vice versa, it is also rare to see a pop musician hone their art within the classical field. The connection between the two has really been forgotten.” More’s the pity. Charles rightly notes that this crossover should really be the standard.
“As musicians, we should be open to the whole wide world of music, not just huddled away within one field. Sure, crafting one’s specific art to a perfection takes time and dedication, but exploring the surroundings of it greatly enhances the experience.
“It is a great honour for me to see an audience equally captivated by both Paganini and Michael Jackson. When my high school friends, who didn’t have a clue about classical music at all, began to appreciate Bach, Ravel, Sarasate, I knew I had done something right! That is a feeling I can’t get enough of! Michael Jackson and Paganini are both known for their exciting and stimulating music. Paganini was a total BOSS back in the day and people would go NUTS over the things he did on a violin. Michael Jackson did the same with his dancing and the colour of his voice. Both Michael Jackson and Paganini are meant to captivate the audience and their music is still doing just that today.”
Saturday, 11 February
Blues in the Church
First Baptist Church, 7.30pm
Sponsor: Caymanian Compass
The Juilliard Jazz Ensemble presents a programme of jazz arrangements inspired by hymns and well known gospel pieces definitive of the rich history of the US South, and specifically the Mississippi Delta, says Rodney Jones, band leader.
“The Mississippi Delta has a long history of African American people with a strong cultural and personal bond. Of course slavery has played a part in the bond that people have had over the years and it still continues to exhibit itself in music, religion and other aspects of their lives.
“Generally when we perform the Blues in the Church people comment on how they were emotionally touched by the performance. Oftentimes it brings people back to an earlier time in their lives that reminds them of many them from their upbringing, family members, church services, and more. I have had many conversations with people after a performance where people tell me that it reminds them of happier times in their childhood years. People will also hear the conceptual connection between Gospel, Blues in Jazz.”
Rodney says that when putting the group together he had to be mindful of identifying players who had a personal relationship with the genre.
“Gospel is very difficult to teach because in part it comes from one’s personal experience. You either feel it and understand or you don’t. It comes from the church and everyone of the musicians grew up playing music in the church.”
ADULTS Online: CI$30/US$37.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$35 CHILDREN under 16 Online: CI$10/US$12.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$15
Monday, 13 February
Bendel Hydes Exhibition
The New National Gallery, 6pm – free
Cayman-born painter Bendel Hydes is one of this country’s best known artists. Now based in New York City, he has exhibited widely in the US, Europe, and the Caribbean, and was awarded a Gold Medal for Creativity in 2009 by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. His paintings are in the collections of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, and many other private collectors.
This evening is an opportunity to view his works and to discuss them with the artist himself.
Tuesday, 14 February
Romeo and Juliet
Gardenia Court, Camana Bay, 7.30pm
To celebrate Valentines Day, an outdoor screening of the ballet Romeo and Juliet.
Enjoy a romantic evening under the stars, watching one of the world’s most enduringly popular ballets as you are provided with treats and bubbly from Black Trumpet. Price also includes a programme and entry into a raffle to win a food basket courtesy of Black Trumpet.. Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev starring Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyne.
Online: CI$15/US$18.80 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$20
Thursday, 16 February
Seoul Sisters
First Baptist Church, 7.30pm
Sponsors: festival patrons, family and friends.
One of the most glamorous sister-acts in classical music, the Ahn Trio perform new classics with extraordinary flair.
Korean born and Juilliard educated, the Ahn Trio – sisters Maria on cello, Lucia on piano, and Angella on violin – bring new energy and excitement to the chamber music world.
Lucia tells us that people are sometimes surprised by how much they are able to relate to the trio’s modern music.
“Although we mostly perform music written for us, the comments we get the most are that the pieces have a familiar quality to them, as if the melodies and rhythms are something they have heard before.
We think it’s because there is such a strong emotional content in the music we play.
Since our audiences are often hearing our composers for the first time, we find it important to speak about the connections to the composers and the pieces. Imagine a very intimate and friendly conversation with music,” says our new mate.
Maria adds that it’s exciting that rock music fans are getting into classical and vice versa. So is classical music cool?
“It is! Classical music is cool because it is the basis of all music. It is also the most adventurous.
“When you look back at its history, composers were often pushing the envelope writing new music for its times. People often forget that the “classical” music that they know and love was at one time the most outrageous new music,” Maria says.
Agella concludes that the trio loves performing in new places.
“Although we have played in roughly 30 countries and all 50 States, and many islands in the Caribbean, this will be our first time in the Cayman Islands. Of course getting some sun in February on the famous beaches of the Island won’t be bad either. We can’t wait to share our music with you!”
ADULTS Online: CI$30/US$37.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$35 CHILDREN under 16 Online: CI$10/US$12.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$15
Saturday, 18 February
A Big Song and Dance
Pedro St. James, 6.30pm
Sponsor: Butterfield
Massed choirs from primary and high schools, local dance students and Butterfield Young Musicians of the Year showcase the young talent of Cayman with conductor Ron Corp. There is also a Visual Arts Society show by Gordon Solomon.
FAMILY TICKET (2 Adults & 2 Children) Online: CI$50/US$62.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$55 ADULTS Online: CI$30/US$37.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$35CHILDREN younger than 16 Online: CI$10/US$12.50 at caymanboxoffice.com At the door: CI$15 A season ticket for Bold As, Blues in the Church, Seoul Sisters, A Big Song and Dance: ADULTS Online ONLY: CI$100/US$125 at caymanboxoffice.com
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