by Daniel Hathaway
HAPPENING TODAY:
There’s very little brewing on the concert scene today, but February 2 is Candlemas for those who observe the Christian calendar, and Groundhog Day for those who like to poke hibernating celebrity rodents awake to see how long winter is likely to last (n.b.: it only seems to annoy them, and studies have shown no correlation between what the animal sees and the long-term weather forecast.)
Celebrate Candlemas with J.S. Bach’s solo cantata Ich habe genug, BWV 82, for the Feast of the Purification, aka Candlemas, in which the vocal soloist takes the role of the aged Simeon, who is moved by the sight of Jesus in the Temple to invent the familiar Nunc dimittis hymn.
Two recordings: click here for a historic performance featuring oboist Marc Lifschey, who played principal in Cleveland under George Szell from 1950 to 1965, when a tiff with the maestro took him off to San Francisco. (Above, a photo of Lifschey (right) with his successor, John Mack). Visit the Cleveland Orchestra archives to learn more about the ensemble’s celebrated oboists in Sophie Benn’s article, A Tale of Three Oboists.
And go here to watch a more modern, historically informed performance of BWV 82 by the Netherlands Bach Society.
And — this just in — click here for the latest meteorological pronouncement from the famous Punxsutawney Phil, courtesy of NBC News. As one commentator wrote, “What a silly, outrageous and endearing tradition.” And another, “This is such a stupid tradition but I like it.”
CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS:
The Cleveland Orchestra has issued this update:
“Due to the hazardous weather conditions forecast throughout Northeast Ohio, The Cleveland Orchestra’s Thursday, February 3 performance of Jeremy Denk Plays Adams will be rescheduled to Friday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m.
“All tickets and parking passes for Thursday will be valid for the Friday performance. Guests may also exchange their tickets into the Saturday or Sunday performances without charge. Please contact the Ticket Office at 216-231-1111 or email boxoffice@clevelandorchestra.com with questions or to make an exchange.”
Cuyahoga Community College has announced the cancellation of its February 3 concert, Tri-C Gallery All-Stars, due to COVID concerns.
PianoCleveland and the Maltz Performing Arts Center have announced the rescheduling of pianist Arseniy Gusev’s February 3 recital to Thursday, March 17.
