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Local Life
Hill orchestra conductor goes Bach to the basics When Chestnut Hill resident Jonathan Sternberg, now in his 80s, was asked to be artistic director of the Bach Festival of Philadelphia, his first reaction was "This position belongs to a person half my age." So he presented a proposal that was "so outrageous I'd be off the hook." But, as the saying goes, "be careful what you wish for." The organization's board of directors enthusiastically accepted his ideas, which include competitions for children and amateur adults and other unique programming plans designed to bring Philadelphia audiences back to Bach. For the second program of the festival's 29th season, Sternberg handpicked Solomiya Ivakhiv, a recent Curtis Institute graduate and concertmaster of The Curtis Symphony, to perform some of Bach's violin solo sonatas. The concert will take place on Nov. 21, 6 p.m., at the Chestnut Hill Baptist Church, Germantown Ave. and Bethlehem Pike. "It's a beautiful church and with its size and sound will provide an inspired environment in which to listen to Bach's music," he said. Sternberg says that Chestnut Hill's reputation as a colorful tourist-shopping haven will help the community become an important music center, as well. He wants the crowds... Mt. Airy social worker runs theater 'on empty' by STEVEN STANEK In their search for a playhouse to call home, hoping that one day they might actually get paid, The Philadelphia Theatre Workshop has a broader mission, a goal unmeasured in ticket sales and monetary gains. With only one production on their resume thus far, Postcoital Variations, which ran through Oct. 24 at the Walnut Street Theater, the fledgling theater troupe is setting out to usher in a new, refreshing flavor, "to produce works of theater that no one else is producing in Philadelphia." This translates to productions that are outside the mainstream, the plots of which are somewhat unusual and off-kilter. Their themes and dialogue, often grappling with sexual orientation, race, health and gender issues, feature alternative, minority characters, which both challenges people in the audience and the norm of plays on our city's stages. If you catch one of their shows, it is unlikely that you can say you've seen this all before. Carol Murray, of Mt. Airy, is the managing director, and like the plays she produces, the story of her involvement with the theater is atypical. A social worker by training, the majority... Chestnut Hill's ex-'Beatle' is area's only 'SEXCOP' by DENISE MAHER You've got to have a good sense of humor to name your '80s high school punk rock band The Beatles. It takes a bit more brashness to deny that another band of the same name never existed. Josh McIlvaine, who has long since demolished his version of The Beatles, would rather call his current endeavor SEXCOP, a musical revue rather than a band (since he is the only permanent member). And although he's changed band mates, set lists and venues, his sense of humor remains. The one-man act is a Chestnut Hill resident with a passion for rock and roll, self-written lyrics and dramatic, stylistic live performances. He has a penchant for freedom in his musical endeavors and is carving a unique niche in the local music scene. Most of his material is character- or story-driven, which he likens to Smokey Robinson songs. And he keeps performances simple by remaining the only constant member of SEXCOP, which was formed in May of this year. "You never know who might pop up on stage," McIlvaine said. "[I] play with a lot of people I've known for a long time and different music or in different bands or different performers." But just in case his musician buddies aren't available, McIlvaine can hold... Hill area author's first novel should enchant young readers by LEN LEAR It may not be Lord of the Rings, but Chestnut Hill area author Charles Kaesshaefer's first novel, The Lost Princess, published just last week, should also enchant youthful readers for many years to come. Set in medieval times and researched for several years, the 181-page Lost Princess is a classic fairy tale about a royal couple, desperate for a child, who are finally blessed with a beautiful daughter, Princess Alexandra, after paying a visit to their local witch, Helga. Alexandra later takes part in many adventures with her best friend, Lord Henry, but war brings changes to the kingdom which the princess cannot tolerate, so she runs away. This, of course, brings even more uncertainty, and both Alexandra and Henry wind up in danger of losing their lives. The twists and turns of the plot are unpredictable, and the characters are fully fleshed out. According to Oren Sherman, artist and illustrator of The Random House Book of Greek Myths, "I loved The Lost Princess! It's a great combination of mythology and historical fiction, but with a contemporary spin on character. I was drawn in and kept guessing all the way through." Frank Lipsius, of MetroKids Magazine, also gave the book a rave... Chestnut Hill pianist competes with Chestnut Hill soprano By MICHAEL CARUSO Chestnut Hill and Chestnut Hillers continue to be at the center of the local classical music scene, so much so that local music lovers may wish to split themselves in half this Sunday afternoon so that they can enjoy two concerts taking place at virtually the same time. Settlement Music School opens its Alumni Recital Series at 3 p.m. in its main branch in the Queen Village section of Philadelphia with Chestnut Hill Academy pianist Sheri Segal Melcher joining violinist Richard Amoroso. Only an hour later, at 4 p.m., the local baroque instruments ensemble, Philomel, opens its 2004-05 season with a concert featuring soprano Julienne Baird in the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church here in Chestnut Hill. Fresh from a tour of the Boston area, Philomel founders/directors -- and husband and wife -- Bruce Bekker and Elissa Berardi were back in town to launch their group's local concert season, as well as report on several pieces of good news. Philomel will be featured on seven radio broadcasts this year, the first on WHYY and the subsequent six on WRTI. Philomel will also be seen on WHYY/TV in short spots taped during rehearsals at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. "We're hoping that Chestnut Hillers will enjoy seeing us working in one of their most beautiful churches," exclaimed Bekker discussing the life of Ben Franklin and the music of colonial Philadelphia, with Berardi's favorite being a rehearsal with Baird. "We've been working with Julienne for 20 years now," she said, "and the amazing thing is that she just gets better and better. No one can touch her artistry when it comes to technical agility and musical expressivity. And we've chosen a program that includes selections that are perfect vehicles for her singing." Baird will be heard in Monteverdi's Exulta filia Sion and Laudate Dominum, Vivaldi's In furore giustissimae irae and arias "Rejoice greatly," "How beautiful are the feet" and "I know that my Redeemer liveth" from Handel's Messiah. Eager to.... |