Sheva Fruitman, a talented photographer, jewelry designer, and an old friend of OTBKB,  sends word of the opening of her jewelry exhibition in Paris tonight (Naila de Monbrison, 6 Rue de Bourgogne, Paris 75007).

Doesn’t that sound lovely? We so wish we could be there.

please join me on september 20th from 5pm-9pm for the opening of my jewelry exhibition at naila de monbrison 6 rue de bourgogne, paris 75007 avec l’aimable participation de la maison veuve clicquot http://naila-de-monbrison.com This is one of her bracelets Sheva also sends these photos she took in Paris while setting up her show

At the Dr. S. Stevan Dweck Center at the Brooklyn Public Library, The Sherman Chamber Ensemble played a program of elegiac music by 18thand 19th century composers, including Gabriel Fauré, Felix Mendelssohn, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

“I didn’t want it to be all lugubrious. I wanted to combine memory with works of mourning and rebirth,” said Eliot T. Bailen, co-founder of the ensemble and cellist.

Bailen and his wife, flutist Susan Rothholtz, founded the Sherman Chamber Ensemble in 1983. They perform nearly two-dozen concerts a year, including a subscription series in Sherman and Kent, Connecticut.

To prepare for the concert, Bailen listened to radio interviews with survivors and family members who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks.

“I tried to keep my focus on the day and the meaning of it,” he said.

Probably the most unusual piece on the program was the “Piano Trio” by Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), a Czech composer who was championed by Franz Lizst. Introducing the piece, Bailen told the audience “to listen to the contours of the music and the way that it alternates between beautiful melodies and turbulence.”

Smetana’s composition, he explained, was written after the death of the composer’s 4-year-old daughter.

“It was very specifically written after tragedy and that is why it is appropriate for today,” Bailen explained.

The performance of this piece with Bailen on cello, Michael Roth on violin and Margaret Kampmeier on piano, was virtuosic and highly emotionally as it sonically conveyed what Bailen called “the incomprehensible train of thought between anger and beauty and the heroic aspect of dying.”

The audience seemed moved by the music and cheered for the performers who appeared equally exhausted and exhilarated.

A woman sitting next to me said that she worked in the financial district on September 11, 2001 and knew that listening to music would be a “healing” way to spend the day.

“I listened to the names this morning, but I wanted to spend the afternoon listening to music,” she explained.

After the show, Bailen commented on whether or not music has a healing power. “For some people it does. It takes things we can’t explain or resolve on our own and creates a framework to re-experience it.”

To illustrate this, Bailen said that he made a mistake while playing the first piece of the program, “Elegie Op 24” for cello and piano.

“Sitting in the front row I watched a man grab his companion’s hand during the piece and that moved me,” he said. The emotion he experienced caused him to drop a note, something he rarely does.

When Jay Kaplan, director of programs & exhibitions at the Brooklyn Public Library decided he wanted to present a special program to honor September 11, he tapped Peter Weitzner, curator and host of the BPL Chamber Players in Residence, to produce it on short notice.

“I knew I wanted to get the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and that Eliot Bailen would put together something very special for the occasion,” Kaplan said.

–Eliot Wagner

Hayes Carll and his band played a fun set this past Saturday at Stuyvesant Town Oval which included this song.  It’s the title track from his recent album, and its narrator is a US soldier in Afghanistan.  KMAG YOYO is military speak for kiss my ass guys, you’re on your own.  Just click here to see it.

–Eliot Wagner

–Eliot Wagner

I know, posting Heat Wave given last week’s scorching weather is kind of obvious.  But why not take this opportunity to see two version of this song.  The first is by Martha and The Vandellas, who had the original hit with this way back in the early 60s.  The group is obviously lip synching, but that’s OK.  It still gives us the opportunity to see the Motown choreography.  Next up is Linda Ronstadt.  This live performance of her reinterpretation of the song from 1976 absolutely smokes as well.  Just click here to see both videos.

–Eliot Wagner

–Eliot Wagner

Back then, Willy had a band and his lyrically strong songs could be described accurately as folk-rock.  Recently, Willy has been working on a new record over in England.  I’m not sure what format he’ll be playing in tonight or what his new material sounds like.  But this show at The Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 is a rare opportunity to see Willy and should not be passed up.  See the details about tonight show at Now I’ve Heard Everything by clicking here.

–Eliot Wagner

Well, tonight that series continues, again under the guiding hand of Tim.  This time we have a Tribute to Tom Waits, with over 20 local musicians announced as playing.  All the details are waiting for you at Now I’ve Heard Everything, just click here to see them.

–Eliot Wagner

–Eliot Wagner