And now for something completely different: a hot young female pianist who contracts to play the Beethoven Fifth Piano Concerto, the “Emperor,” as in like, the most popular piano concerto in the world that even bad pianists know how to play, and which said pianist has even recorded, but who now claims that there was a miscommunication with her management as to which concerto she was going to play, and so one week is not enough time for hot-shot pianist to prepare the Beethoven to her satisfaction. Okay, then. Geez, I could have given the piece a bat myself, lady, but like, whatever. Enter another female hotshot pianist who happens to be in town because she just accompanied hotshot female violinist in recital, and who actually feels she could play the most popular piano concerto in the world with little notice, like uh, perhaps a professional pianist should be expected to do, especially if she contracted to do so, but like, whatever. And so, this unusual pairing of the Beethoven Fifth Symphony—heard here less than a month ago with the same rather dull conductor, James Gaffigan—and the Beethoven Fifth Piano Concerto—with replacement pianist Valentina Lisitsa—will take place as scheduled, just in case you were worried. (Dennis Polkow)
March 13-15 at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan, (312)294-3000. $27-$199.
Dennis Polkow is an award-winning veteran journalist, critic, author, broadcaster and educator. He made his stage debut at age five, was a child art prodigy and began playing keyboards in clubs at the age of fourteen. He holds degrees in music theory, composition, religious studies and philosophy from DePaul University in Chicago. Polkow spent his early years performing and recording in rock and jazz bands while concertizing as a classical pianist, organist and harpsichordist and composing, arranging and producing for other artists. As a scholar, Polkow has published and lectured extensively and taught at several colleges and universities in various departments. As an actor, narrator and consultant, Polkow has been involved with numerous films, plays, broadcasts and documentaries. As a journalist, Polkow helped co-create the experiential Chicago Musicale and Spotlight, the award-winning tabloid arts and entertainment section of the Press Publications chain of newspapers, which he later edited. He also created and ran the nationally recognized journalism program at Oakton College and was faculty advisor to its award-winning student newspaper; many former students went on to major media careers, including Channel Awesome’s the Nostalgia Critic. Polkow’s research, interviews, features, reviews and commentaries have appeared across national and international media and he has corresponded from the Middle East, Asia and Africa for the Chicago Tribune. Contact: dpolkow25@aol.com
Scenes From A Season: An Inside Look at a Year with Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Walking out onto the stage last September, Muti was receiving his first applause at Orchestra Hall in over nineteen months. The celebrated Italian-born music director of the CSO, who had turned eighty two months earlier, was clearly moved. What made the acclamation unusual was that the hall was empty. The orchestra itself was providing heartfelt and sustained applause, greeting Muti…
And now for something completely different: a hot young female pianist who contracts to play the Beethoven Fifth Piano Concerto, the “Emperor,” as in like, the most popular piano concerto in the world that even bad pianists know how to play, and which said pianist has even recorded, but who now claims that there was a miscommunication with her management as to which concerto she was going to play, and so one week is not enough time for hot-shot pianist to prepare the Beethoven to her satisfaction. Okay, then. Geez, I could have given the piece a bat myself, lady, but like, whatever. Enter another female hotshot pianist who happens to be in town because she just accompanied hotshot female violinist in recital, and who actually feels she could play the most popular piano concerto in the world with little notice, like uh, perhaps a professional pianist should be expected to do, especially if she contracted to do so, but like, whatever. And so, this unusual pairing of the Beethoven Fifth Symphony—heard here less than a month ago with the same rather dull conductor, James Gaffigan—and the Beethoven Fifth Piano Concerto—with replacement pianist Valentina Lisitsa—will take place as scheduled, just in case you were worried. (Dennis Polkow)
