Magic vision in Ballet Austin’s “Magic Flute”

Stephen Mills’ Magic Vision

~posted By KMFA mid-day announcer, Dianne Donovan

Once again, Austin audiences enjoyed a veritable feast for the eyes (and ears) courtesy of Stephen Mills. In his most ambitious project to date, the Artistic Director and choreographer of Ballet Austin tackled Mozart’s The Magic Flute with nary a singer nor a supertitle in sight. As if setting Mozart’s great opera in a different medium wasn’t enough of a challenge, Mills added something very unusual to the mix; he added shadow puppetry. When I heard about this project, I thought that it could go one of two ways. It went this way — beautifully, that is. The shadows provided scary monsters, thoughtful asides, as well as interesting and almost instant set changes.

At times the dancers would interact with actual shadow puppets and other times they would team up with shadow dancers from the other side of the screen. ShadowLight Productions of San Francisco created and executed the shadow images. This was more than visual trickery, it was a true integration of forms that enhanced the production. Superimposed over this grey world were some of the loveliest, most colorful costumes I’ve seen on any stage. Costume designer Susan Branch Towne’s exotic birds, when set in motion, were positively kaleidoscopic and the priests’ white uniforms shimmered luminously.

Austin’s Donald Grantham provided a reduced score (sans vocals), well performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, under Maestro Peter Bay’s fine direction.

another one of the drawings of the costumes for Magic Flute

Of course mirrors and lights aren’t enough to carry such a production. As I’ve come to expect, Stephen Mills’ inventive and elegantly flowing choreography is sometimes spiked with truly comedic gestures. All of the dancers did a marvelous job of incorporating so many elements into their performance. Ashley Lynn Giffix’s Pamina made me wish that I had nagged my parents a little more forcefully for ballet lessons when I was youngster.

Once again, Stephen Mills “raises the bar” (I couldn’t resist) on what is possible in the world of dance. This production was sooo Austin, soooo Stephen Mills.

If missed the production and would like to see more of the images and costumes, please visit Ballet Austin’s blog.


~posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA mid-day announcer and host of the show, Classical Austin (Wednesday evenings at 8pm).

Pianos in the Park, Part 2

In response to the blog post I posted about the pianos stationed around Austin last month, I received a nice email from a KMFA listener and musician, Aragorn Eissler, about a multi-media project he created that surrounds the Play Me I’m Yours piano installation around downtown Austin. He told me that he composed a series of nine piano preludes and then performed them in one circuit on his bicycle on the hike and bike trail.

SO, basically, Mr. Eissler composed a short piece of music for each location, then put on his tuxedo, grabbed his video camera, and set off on his bike to perform each one.  The result is a charming group of videos with lovely music in the foreground, with chirping birds and mopeds and the Austin skyline in the background. You don’t usually get that kind of Austin ambience in a concert hall….

On his webpage he says that throughout the day, “Austinites were very friendly. It wasn’t strange at all to see someone playing live music downtown, but riding a bike in a tux down the hike and bike trail earned me some sideways glances!”

Here’s the link to watch all his videos: http://www.aratunes.us

Here’s one of the pieces (all of them are under 3 minutes each):

Thanks for sharing these with us, Ara!

~ posted by Alison @ KMFA  🙂

A Resplendent Gala: Austin Symphony Orchestra’s 100th Birthday Gala Concert

~ posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA mid-day announcer

 A splendid time was had by all at the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s 100th Birthday Gala Concert.

The lawn of the Long Center became the city’s living room, as folks without tickets set up blankets and canvas chairs to enjoy the simulcast on the big screen of this sold-out show.

Inside, Dell Hall was packed to its beautiful rafters. For the first half of the performance, Maestro Peter Bay selected music from the original A.S.O. program of a century ago. The orchestra played part of the Ballet Égyptien by Alexander Luigini and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony no. 28.

The second half of the program included the special guest for the night, Itzhak Perlman. He performed the much-loved Bruch Violin Concerto that had the crowd on its feet instantly after that last note. Mr. Perlman came back for several bows before literally and figuratively “throwing in the towel.”

The orchestra capped the evening with Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” with another subtle nod to A.S.O. history: “Pines” was the last piece that the orchestra played in its old home of Bass Concert Hall. The orchestra seemed to be at the top of its game throughout, and there were many smiles from the musicians during and after the concert.

I should mention that before the performance, the orchestra announced its 2011-2012 season, which will include classical superstar violinist, Joshua Bell, as well as locally based greats, Anton Nel and Bion Tsang. After the performance the audience was on the deck to enjoy cake, drinks and a special light/music show wherein the Long Center’s Walls became the canvas to the shapes and colors. (Fireworks were to follow but due to the dangerously dry and windy conditions they had to be cancelled. Too bad, but it was a wise decision.)  All of the audience members received a complimentary commemorative book.

Between the fine performances and the magic in the air, many of us did not want the evening to end. Cheers to all involved in the past, today and in the future.

~posted by Dianne Donovan, KMFA mid-day announcer and host of the the show, Classical Austin (Wednesday evenings at 8pm).

Playing Piano…in the Park!

World-famous pianist, Anton Nel, encountered one of the pianos on a hike around Lady Bird Lake

If you’re a fan of the parks and trails around downtown Austin, then you might have noticed random pianos popping up all over… available for anyone to play, at any time of day!

It’s all a part of a delightful conspiracy to provide music where you least expect it, featuring any artist who decides to play. Located throughout downtown in public parks, streets and squares, the pianos are for any member of the public to play. The pianos are also for the public to decorate and personalize.

Well, this is the last weekend to enjoy the pianos, so a few of us from KMFA decided to visit the one in Butler Park. It was such a beautiful day on Thursday!

Sarah playing piano in front of the Austin skyline

We climbed to the top of Doug Sahm Hill (I think Doug would have been pleased with the psychedelic painted dinosaurs on the side of the piano) and Sarah Addison, who is our resident expert in piano playing, gave her best attempt on this funky, outdoors piano, while we all got to admire the fabulous skyline and listen to a Beethoven backdrop.

Claire and Kelsey wish they'd paid better attention in piano classes when they were kids

one cheerfully painted piano

You can read more about this effort, as well as see some adorable photos and videos, at the website “Play Me I’m Yours.” They also have a map where each of the pianos is located. Go find one this weekend! 🙂 You’ll be surprised how nice a piano sounds outdoors in Austin’s wonderful springtime weather.

Another favorite Austin piano player, Marcia Ball, tries out a street piano

~ posted by Alison @ KMFA  🙂

KMFA wishes the Austin Symphony a Happy 100th Birthday!

On Tuesday, April 25th, 1911, the Austin Symphony Orchestra had its first performance, and KMFA celebrates this 100th Anniversary with a special program: A.S.O. 100!

When I listened to the interview portion, I was surprised to learn some interesting facts: I learned about the first-ever Drive-in Symphony Concert in the United States, as well as Monday night performances in the Coliseum after a weekend stockade show, and other “batty” and sublime moments.

On this program, KMFA’s Dianne Donovan visits with her guests: Maestro Peter Bay, Artistic Director and Conductor of the A.S.O.; Anthony Corroa, Executive Director of the A.S.O.; Joan Holtzman, Board Secretary, Charter Member of Women’s Symphony League, and de facto A.S.O. historian; and Eugene Gratovich, Associate Concertmaster (member of the A.S.O for 24 years), The Roy E. & Linda S. Bush Associate Concertmaster.

The show airs twice: Saturday, April 23rd, 9pm, Wednesday, April 27th, 8pm. If you missed the show, you can still hear the interview portion archived on our website.

~posted by Alison @ KMFA  😉

Preview: KMFA’s trip to New York City

~ submitted by Claire Wiley, KMFA office and production admin

Tomorrow morning, 21 excited travelers will embark on the KMFA trip to New York City for 10 magical days. Their itinerary is filled with classical music, fine art, and fine dining…you can read more about the fun they’ll be having here on the website.

I visited the Big Apple over the holidays, and knowing that KMFA was planning a tour to NYC, I thought I’d do a little reconnaissance first-hand…here are some of the pictures. I know they’re going to have a great time… we sure did!

Wandering through the Upper East Side, we happened upon the Plaza Athenee hotel, where the KMFA tour will be staying. Its pleasantly situated along a quiet street of beautiful row houses and apartments just off of Madison Avenue’s fabulous shopping district.

Coming out of New York’s public library we stumbled upon Bryant Park, which ended up being one of my favorite spots in the city. It offers great shopping in quaint semi-permanent stalls, and stunning views of some of New York’s most beautiful early skyscrapers.

The Museum of Modern Art was one of the definite highlights of our trip. We saw Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Monet’s Water lilies and other favorites by Picasso, Matisse, Pollack and Warhol (see next photo).

From one of the upper levels of the MoMA we witnessed a fantastic performance art piece. Standing in the middle, this performer guided his piano throughout the atrium playing a movement of Beethoven’s Ninth.

Street performers abound in Central Park; this accordion player made our stroll down the park’s literary walk feel even more like a storybook.

Our Christmas in New York would not be complete without a trip to Radio City Music Hall to see the famous Rockettes. But the Hall itself, sitting in Rockefeller Center, is a fun landmark any time of year.

This performer was singing opera tunes next to the enchanting Bethesda Fountain in Central Park...

...he promised me a photograph only if I would join him in a round of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Another planned stop on the KMFA tour: the bright lights of Times Square lit our way along Broadway to the Gershwin Theater where we saw a fantastic musical.

Chelsea is known for its wonderful art galleries, but New York artists in this neighborhood do not confine themselves to just canvases! We had a lot of fun discovering street art throughout the city.

Our view from the plane at sunset. Good-bye New York!

Opera singers from ALO’s “Flight” visit KMFA studios

On the KMFA program Classical Austin, host Dianne Donovan introduces us to some of the creative leadership behind some of our favorite Classically Austin arts events.

Last Wednesday, the spotlight was on Austin Lyric Opera’s upcoming performance of Flight. Joining Dianne in the KMFA studio were two performers, Mela Sarajane Dailey (as “Tina”) and Nick Zammit (as “refugee”), as well as the composer, Jonathan Dove. If you missed the episode, you can hear the interview portion here.

Mela Sarajane Dailey, Dianne Donovan, Jonathan Dove, and Nick Zammit.

It’s always exciting to meet the stars in person, but it’s very rare to meet the living, breathing composer! To hear him discuss his opera was a real treat.

~posted by Alison @ KMFA 🙂

Maestro Peter Bay kicks off the Spring Membership Drive!

OK, it’s the first day of our pledge drive, and Peter Bay is on the air making us laugh! He is a riot. He just dropped by to give us a hand as we raise funds to keep KMFA broadcasting commercial-free music in Central Texas.

Maestro Bay put out a challenge to listeners: Rich played the theme song to Star Trek, and Peter asked KMFA listeners to call in and tell him why we were playing that piece today. If someone guessed correctly, then he would donate $50 to the Pledge Drive…. can you guess the answer? 🙂

If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, or if you have considered becoming a new member,  then follow his example and help keep KMFA strong and on the air for another 44 years!

~posted by Alison @ KMFA 🙂