Inspirational music at its best

Chicago Symphony pours its soul into Mussorgsky masterpiece

Nick Hornby will discuss his book, “Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius,” with fellow writer Jessica Anya Blau at 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St. in Loreto Plaza, Santa Barbara.

Mr. Hornby will also sign copies of his book. For more information, call Chaucer’s at 805-682-6787 or go to www.chaucersbooks.com.

FEB. 1

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Coast artist and London native Annie Hoffman’s exhibit “Seeing Ourselves in Colour” will be displayed through Feb. 28 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. For more information, visit anniehoffmann.com.

FEB. 2

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Santa Ynez Tribal Health Clinic will provide free dental care for local children during its third annual Give Kids A Smile event on Feb. 2. The free day of exams, cleanings and more will take place at the clinic, located on the Chumash Reservation at 90 Via Juana Lane,l Santa Ynez.

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

You couldn’t help but smile as the Chicago Symphony took one of history’s most inspirational works of music — Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition” — and made it soar.

The audience Wednesday night in the packed Granada became emotionally invested in music that stirs the soul.

Fyi

Mussorgsky originally wrote “Pictures from an Exhibition” for piano in 1874. Maurice Ravel orchestrated it after Mussorgsky’s death.

The music was inspired by an exhibit honoring artist and architect Victor Hartmann. Critic Vladimir Stassov organized the exhibit, which inspired Mussorgsky to create piano pieces based on 11 of Hartmann’s works of art.

For more about the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara, go to www.camasb.org.

Mussorgsky’s masterpiece has it all, from the humor in the fifth movement, “Ballet of the Chicks in their Shells,” to the drama in the 10th and final movement, “The Great Gate of Kiev,” complete with powerful strings, winds, percussion (listen to the timpani!) and the great finishing touch: the chimes! They sound like church bells, and it was the perfect way to top this crescendo.

After conductor Riccardo Muti relaxed his arms and the symphony finished playing, the audience quickly stood and cheered at the Community Arts Music Association of Santa Barbara concert. The applause lasted a long time, but those who stayed to the end were treated to a short encore not listed in the program.

Wednesday’s Chicago Symphony concert began with two Beethoven works — the “Coriolan Overture,” Opus 62, and Beethoven’s playful Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Opus 93. Then the orchestra produced sheer beauty with Anatoly Lyadov’s “The Enchanted Lake, Opus 62.” email: dmason@newspress.com

Throughout the evening, the Chicago Symphony stood out for its precision, dynamics and powerful tones. The orchestra adds layers of colors to its music while still emphasizing the melodies.

In addition to the magic of the music, it was a joy to watch Maestro Muti in action, sometimes gently coaxing various sections of the orchestra and other times emphasizing the drama of the moment.

FEB. 5 Free admission will be available on this day at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum and the Santa Paula Museum. For more information, visit socalmuseums. org.

FEB. 8

8 p.m. Transform Through Arts will present 10 dance companies in “Colors of Love” at the Center Stage Theater, upstairs at Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara. General admission costs $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are $25 for students. To purchase, go to www.centerstagetheater.org.

FEB. 12 Noon. Participants in Ted Nash’s workshop will go on stage at the Mary Craig Auditorium, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. The free program is called “Transformation: Personal Stories of Change, Acceptance and Evolution” and will feature student composers, performers and writers from Mr. Nash’s workshop.

FEB. 14

6 to 7:30 p.m. Nicole Lvoff and Joe Woodard will perform on Valentine’s Day at the Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. Their music varies from Beatles songs to jazz standards. For more information, go to crushbarsb.com.

FEB. 18

7 to 9 p.m. The Nicole Lvoff Jazz Trio will perform at Crush Bar & Tap, 1129 A State St., Santa Barbara. There’s no cover. For more information, go to crushbarsb.com.

— Dave Mason

At left, Daniel was a premature baby at 27 weeks gestation. After being hospitalized for two months and staying at three different hospitals, he was able to meet his big brother. Hearts Aligned works to help children like Daniel and their families. Center, the baby, Carlos, gets a visit from his sister Angela and his mother, Vivian Solodkin, at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Ms. Solodkin created Hearts Aligned as a legacy to her son Carlos, who was born in January 2007 with a major congenital heart defect, pulmonary issues, gastrointestinal issues and DiGeorge syndrome. Carlos died during surgery at just 9 months old due to his compromised lungs. At right, Noelia was born with Down syndrome and heart and lung issues. She and her family travel to Bakersfield to see the pediatric cardiologist every three months.