Tuned In with Tom Bock
Posted on Saturday, September 13 @ 21:24:23 EDT by ehezi
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~~~ Northern Westchester Center for the Arts Presents “Classic Music Rock” as Part of the 25th Anniversary Salon Series
~~~ Daniel Gaisford and Natasha Paremski Make the Evening Rock
MOUNT KISCO, NY – September 13, 2003 -- Not knowing what to expect, my
son, Cameron, age 11, and I arrived at the pre-show reception and
introduced ourselves to several people in the room. There was a silent
auction taking place during the reception. I explained to Cameron, that
it was a fundraiser for the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts
(NWCA). A worthy cause, I was later to realize. The auction aside, the
room was bristling with anticipation of what was to come. The guests of
about a hundred people knew of these performers, were regular patrons,
knew of the types of shows they have been graced with previously, were
fans of classical music, or perhaps all of these. I ran into a
colleague who volunteers at the NWCA, and she explained that this was
typical and the shows were usually outstanding.
Dana Ramos of Verve Productions ,
who manages the artists who would be performing, was thrilled to see my
son had accompanied me as the artists were trying to reach out to a
younger crowd. My son was thrilled to see other youngsters there of his
age and quickly made friends with one of them (and his Gameboy).
Regardless, he and I observed and discussed the variety of art on the
walls in the reception area. It provoked thought and discussion from
both of us as we contemplated the different styles and what the artist
might be trying to convey. When we toured the entire facility, we
noticed that the Center was busy with classes in dance upstairs at the
same time this show was about to commence. This was a busy place. Cam
commented that the NWCA seemed very similar to the Westchester Art
Workshop, in White Plains. Yes, it did. But it evidently offers so much
more with classes in dance and fitness, early childhood education,
creative pre-school classes, writing, music, theater, visual arts,
cinema, and summer camps. One of the most impressive and unique
educational portions is that of the Special Needs Instruction. The
classes and workshops are designed for children and adults with
learning, speech and language, developmental, emotional and/or physical
disabilities. Class placement is based on the specific needs and goals
of each student. The curriculum is structured to be fun, educational
and flexible enough to meet the needs of each student. Considering the
NWCA’s humble origins from a schoolhouse in Goldens Bridge, some
twenty-five years ago, this is a noteworthy accomplishment!
Daniel Gaisford
Daniel Gaisford
The first artist to perform was Bedford resident and cellist, Daniel Gaisford .
He is regarded as one of today’s most gifted and communicative
musicians. His charismatic presence on stage and his solid abilities
with the cello give new meaning to the word “performance.” He spoke
briefly to the audience prior to each selection he would play.
Interacting with the audience casually and comfortably, he tipped and
leaned his cello affectionately as he spoke. To Gaisford, making music
is only part of what it means to be a cellist. He enjoys relating to
people, engaging audiences of all ages, and sharing his knowledge of
music with them. He is an engaging and articulate speaker and loves to
give master classes. “That’s what it is all about, really,” he says.
“Sharing. Not just going on stage, doing your thing, and then leaving.
Sure, it’s great to be able to make great music, but I want to do more.
I try to connect with the audience.” Connect he does!
Explaining that he hadn’t prepared any music specifically for
this show; he would be performing an impromptu show and hoped we
enjoyed his selections nonetheless. Daniel would continually discuss
the intricate details of the music, the composer, how and why he chose
to play the particular piece. This contributed to his thoroughness on
stage as a consummate artist. You could not sit there without being
engaged by his pleasant, relaxed and confident manner. Most of his show
seemed as though he was talking and playing just for me in my living
room!
Daniel opened the show with what he claims to be one of the most
difficult pieces he’s ever played. From the baroque period, he started
with the Prelude from the G Major Suite by Bach. He may have told the
audience that it’s the most difficult piece he’s ever played; yet he
glided through it with ease. He is simply that good. A good musician
should make his performance appear effortless. Conversing with the
audience, Daniel explained that Pablo Casals was an influence upon him
and probably one of the best cellists. The connection to the audience
never wavered, as his musicianship was emotional and genuinely
breathtaking.
His knowledge of the history of his instrument, the composers and their
pieces continued to further enhance the show. I wasn’t surprised when I
saw him mingling earlier with guests in the pre-show reception, holding
the cello case instead of his lovely fiancée. I had read that Daniel
takes his cello everywhere and that it is the precious “Ex-Warburg”,
crafted in Venice by Matteo Goffriller. He discussed to some length the
history of his cello during the beginning portion of the show,
mentioning that the age of the cello is traced back to 1706. Cameron
turned to me wide-eyed and said softly, “Wow, that’s older than you!”
Thanks. Be quiet and pay attention.
As it is difficult to describe the nuances of Daniel’s playing of each
of his selections to the uninitiated classical music listener, I have
decided to try and sufficiently describe the musician and his ability.
Between a variety of classical selections, Daniel explained how the
hands are often exhausted in playing certain musical pieces. I
witnessed none of this as he deftly and effortlessly stroked both
quietly and sensitively, and then with bold and powerful strokes
cajoling the music from his and the Ex-Warburg’s heart. The clarity of
the notes and the noticeable ease with which Daniel massaged these
notes from the cello gave me a new appreciation for the instrument
itself and his talent as a musician. While he was playing, I wrote on
my note pad for Cameron to look at how fast his hands were moving
during the Bach suites and that his eyes were closed. He and the cello
melded as one while he was playing.
His final piece was by the Award-winning composer and pianist, Michael
Hersch. Daniel explained how he had learned of Michael Hersch and his
music during a stint in the forestry service out West. Both Michael and
Daniel will return to the prestigious Musica XXI Festival in Italy this
fall to premiere three new pieces. Hersch will perform two of his new
works on piano, and after intermission, cellist Daniel Gasiford will
perform the world premiere of Hersch's Second Sonata for Unaccompanied
Cello. Gaisford and Hersch are close friends and colleagues and this is
the second time Gaisford will be debuting a new cello work by Hersch.
You could tell when Daniel played the piece that he was “connected” to
it.
I wrote a note to myself that he emotes a sensuality and sound
that today’s rock ’n rollers will always be deprived of as this truly
gifted musician bragged to us in a different language. Very moving
performance indeed. Bravo, Daniel, Bravo!
Natasha Paremski
Natasha Paremski
There was a brief intermission before Natasha
Paremski, the award-winning, sixteen year old, Russian born pianist
would perform. Prior to the show, I had an opportunity to sit down with
this unpretentious young woman and ask her a few questions.
Unfortunately, my tape recorder malfunctioned and I cannot quote her
exactly.
Having studied drums myself and with Cameron going through the same
studies, I asked Natasha if she could remember back to when she was
four years old and what she remembered most about the piano lessons
back then? She said simply that it was fun and she remembered enjoying
the sound she could make from it. I certainly didn’t remember it quite
that way. When I asked how long she practices daily, her response was
about six to eight hours a day, unless she is traveling. Questioned
about hobbies, interestingly she responded that practicing was one of
her hobbies. When I pushed her for other things she enjoys doing, she
chuckled and responded that she liked other normal things too, such as
swimming, reading, and movies. I asked her if she feels like she’s
always around older people by the nature of the music, she said no,
that a lot of her friends play similar music and spend time with her
also. She is close with her friends from school and has a younger
brother of two years who is very supportive of and close to her. When
asked about being a role model for younger musicians she replied that
she hoped to influence them toward classical music but any music would
be good. We discussed other artists she enjoys and mostly they were
classical by nature. I mentioned Brittany Spears as an example of a
current artist she might enjoy and she said she didn't care for her,
but she does enjoy some oldies bands such as Pink Floyd. Do you think
she spoke to Cameron about the age of Daniel’s cello?
Natasha Paremski only
turned sixteen in May of 2003, but she has already won prestigious
awards from around the world and has made two CD's with the Moscow
Philharmonic Orchestra. She was recently chosen to make a soloist debut
at Carnegie Hall with the New York Symphony, on February 29, 2004.
Born in May, 1987 in Moscow, Russia, Natasha Paremski began
her piano studies at age 4 at the Andreyev School of Music in Moscow.
In 1995, she moved with her family to the United States, where she
studied at the San Francisco Conservatory and with several prominent
teachers. Natasha has already finished high school and has begun a full
scholarship at the Mannes School of Music in New York City as of this
fall.
Many reviews of Natasha claim that she performs flawlessly, with
unbelievable energy, has technique to burn and so on. Half expecting
her to open with a more reserved or simple selection, I was startled
when her choice of musical performances included “Chaconne” by Bach and
Busoni. During her interview earlier, she was constantly moving her
fingers, to either keep them limber or to loosen them up prior to
playing. Now I understand why. From the moment she sat down on the
black piano bench, the wisp of a young girl transformed into virtual
dynamo with a relentlessness that had to be painful on the Yamaha
piano’s keys! The difference between experiencing a live performance
and hearing an artist on a CD or the radio is always extraordinary.
Natasha does not disappoint. This first and probably longest selection
was superbly executed and unwaveringly solid as Natasha’s focus
appeared solely on the task at hand. Her eyes and hands never wandered
from the keyboard, except during a rest in the music, when she would
let her arms and hands drop briefly.
Natasha’s second selection was played with such compassion and
perfection of delivery that several audience members gave her a
standing ovation. It was only her second rendition! This diminutive and
yet masterful, powerful artist imbued with awe inspiring capacity is in
a package probably weighing only one hundred pounds. As I listened to
hear if she misplayed or not, I remember thinking that it’s hard to
tell if she is making a mistake as she’s moving at such a blinding
speed. She resolutely maintained this wildfire assault as if four hands
were playing these songs!
Is she going to slow this down at all or are we to just wait until she
collapses from exhaustion? Her third song was “Funerailles” by Liszt.
Ah, she's going to step it down a notch. Wrong again. And so she
continued her assail upon the keyboard. Again, masterfully. Wow. This
is one special gift to the world of music.
She finished her last two numbers with Stravinsky’s,
“Petrouchka Suite,” and Balakirev’s, “Islamey”. While these were both
expertly delivered, and she finally seemed to be a little tired, a
standing ovation seemed somewhat inadequate. Music, as art, should
touch the listener. It should bring joy to both the artist and patron.
This was accomplished by Natasha. She creates a musical standard to
which others will be forced to strive. Brava Natasha, Brava!
With a little prodding, both artists returned to the stage to
perform a Brahms encore duet. Daniel commented that he had suggested
this piece just three days earlier to Natasha, which she memorized for
just this occasion. They played it together with such precision that
you would have thought it had been part of their repertoire for some
time. Each instrument and each musician complimenting the other. At one
point Daniel looked up at Natasha and she looked up to Daniel. They
both smiled at each other and relentlessly ensured that this piece
would exact justice at that moment, at the Colleen Dewhurst Theater,
that Friday night. And so they did!
Both of these magnificent performers can be reached through Verve Productions ..
I suggest you check into their schedules and find time to see them
live. If money is an issue, hock something. It will be well worth it.
Finally, the NWCA will be holding its Silver Anniversary Gala,
on Saturday, October 18, 2003. Vanessa Williams will be presented the
Colleen Dewhurst Award by James Earl Jones. There will be performances
and many artistic luminaries at this event. Please contact them for
this and other benefits, as this is truly a treasure in Mt. Kisco,
worthy of our support.
Note: Explore the world of music through Tom Bock's unique sensibility and perspective on the digital pages of Yonkers Tribune.
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