Good Morning Gloucester

Celebration of culture and history is one of the most blessed facets of life in Gloucester. One of these celebrations are the mosaics on the Americold building downtown. Their origin story can be found here. Ever since the most recent one was installed, I’ve wanted to get an up close and personal view. I thought you might enjoy the same.

This January brings two great concerts to Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center. On Sunday, January 19 at 3 pm, pianist Michael Brown and cellist Nicholas Canellakis bring Soul of the Americas, a program featuring seven iconic composers from both North and South America. They are joined by pianist Orion Weiss and percussionist Ian David Rosenbaum for the concert. On January 23 at 7 pm Palaver Strings, Rockport Music’s Education Ensemble-in-Residence for the 2019-20 season, will bring the first of two community concerts this season.  On the January 23 program, Palaver’s program follows the gradual return of light marked by the winter solstice through different musical selections.

Soul of the Americas ~ JAN 19

On Sunday, January 19, at 3 pm, The Soul of the Americas celebrates the rich tapestry of musical influences across North and South America, featuring the works of seven iconic composers. Aaron Copland’s El Salón México and George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture were directly inspired by their travels to those respective countries. Leonard Bernstein was an ardent champion of Latin American music, including the music of Brazilian Heitor Villa-Lobos and Argentinian Alberto Ginastera. Osvaldo Golijov settled in the United States but his music draws on his Argentinian roots. Samuel Barber was enamored with diverse musical styles, as seen through his nostalgic Souvenirs. Curated by Michael Brown and Nicholas Canellakis and joined by Orion Weiss and Ian David Rosenbaum, this program features unique combinations of piano, cello and percussion, and will take the listener on a sizzling journey through both hemispheres.

PROGRAM

COPLAND: El Salón México for Solo Piano (arr. Leonard Bernstein)
BERNSTEIN: Three Meditations from Mass (version for cello, piano, and percussion)
BARBER: Souvenirs for Piano, Four Hands, Op. 28
GOLIJOV: Mariel for Cello and Marimba
VILLA-LOBOS: Divagação for Cello, Piano, and Drum
VILLA-LOBOS
– A Maré Encheu from Guia Pratico for Solo Piano
– O Polichinelo from Prole do Bebê for Solo Piano
GINASTERA: Pampeana No. 2, Rhapsody for Cello and Piano, Op. 21
GERSHWIN: Cuban Overture for Piano, Four Hands and Percussion (Four Hands version)

Pre-concert talk with Michael Brown & Nicholas Canellakis, 2 PM

Palaver Strings ~ JAN 23

On Thursday, January 23 at 7 pm, Rockport Music’s Education Ensemble-in-Residence Palaver Strings brings a program entitled “On the Nature of Daylight.”  This concert explores the gradual return of light marked by the winter solstice. Through thin sunbeams, quiet snowfall and frosted windows, there is warmth and comfort in the measured lengthening of daylight. Our program opens with Winter, from Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons, followed by Max Richter’s On the Nature of Delight–a meditation that juxtaposes desolation with pure beauty and gentleness. The program culminates with Mendelssohn’s radiant Octet. With soaring melodies and warm, youthful brilliance, the octet encapsulates the promise of spring.  PALAVER STRINGS is a Maine-based musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization founded in 2014. Now in its sixth season, Palaver has established itself as a forward-thinking ensemble whose mission is rooted in community and creative programming. This season, Palaver is a resident education ensemble at Rockport Music and the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA.

PROGRAM

Vivaldi: Winter from Four Seasons (Nicholas Kitchen/first violin of Borromeo Quartet)
Max Richter: On the Nature of Daylight
Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat Major
Widor: Toccata for Organ (arr. by Palaver member Jesse MacDonald)

It’s in the books! Plungers, they can’t take it away from you, you did it!

Once I get my glasses on we will review the video and call out anyone that didn’t dunk under.

Post polar plunge libations at the Crow’s Nest today. What a start to 2020.

We had a very cozy meal at Cape Ann Brewing recently. It was a Saturday night and we weren’t the only ones with the same idea for a relaxing evening. I had ribs and GMG Jimmy had the seafood stew. So happy to see Ryan and Wood Distillery products being offered! We were also super excited to see national news coverage of the Final Plunge for Pete at Good Harbor Beach. Always a good time!