Rubin Museum's Himalayan Art Offers Musical Inspiration
BUENA PARK, Calif. The Rubin Museum of Art, the first museum in the Western World dedicated to the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions, opened its doors on October 4, 2004. The museum's mission to establish, present, preserve and document a permanent collection reflecting the vitality, complexity and historical significance of Himalayan art is enhanced by a popular all-acoustic Friday evening concert series, "Harlem in the Himalayas." Invited musicians are encouraged to dedicate new compositions or improvisations related to works in the Rubin's extensive collection. Following the arrival of the Rubin's new Yamaha S6 piano in October, acclaimed Israeli saxophonist/clarinetist Anat Cohen performed with her band, featuring pianist Jason Lindner. One concert highlight was Cohen's piece, "Mandala," inspired by artwork of the same title projected on the stage wall behind the band.
"We always wanted a quality piano for our concert series, and a two-fold connection helped make it happen," says Tim McHenry, director of programming. "Yamaha artist Anthony de Mare lives nearby and suggested we reach out to Yamaha Artist Services, Inc. in Manhattan. Also, for the first time this summer, I attended a performance at Maverick Concerts where Yamaha is the official piano. The Maverick's musical director Alexander Platt then visited the Rubin and called it a gem of a performance space and sent an e-mail to Yamaha Artist Services on our behalf. Anthony helped us pick out the S6, the best sounding piano."
"Music is very strong here and increasingly so now. Before, we were limited by not having a concert worthy piano," he admits, "but now I'll be able to program more actively and broadly. Music and art associate well together and have universal themes that don't always lend themselves to verbalizing. Both inspire an emotional, often visceral, response."
Beyond jazz, McHenry anticipates the Rubin will offer more new music and chamber music, as well as a performance space for CMA commissions and premiers. One such event will be held at the Rubin in February when pianist/composer Frank Carlberg holds his New York premier of "American Dreams." A number of pianists have expressed similar interest, including Anthony de Mare as well as Bruce Levingston, who is slated to perform several Philip Glass works.
The 144-seat theater is known as one of the finest acoustic performance spaces in New York City; All About Jazz called it "acoustically magnificent." For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.rmanyc.org.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.
 Yamaha S6 on stage at the Rubin Museum of Art (RMA)
Photo: Richard Conde, 2006 |
"Music is very strong here and increasingly so now. Before, we were limited by not having a concert worthy piano," he admits, "but now I'll be able to program more actively and broadly. Music and art associate well together and have universal themes that don't always lend themselves to verbalizing. Both inspire an emotional, often visceral, response."
Beyond jazz, McHenry anticipates the Rubin will offer more new music and chamber music, as well as a performance space for CMA commissions and premiers. One such event will be held at the Rubin in February when pianist/composer Frank Carlberg holds his New York premier of "American Dreams." A number of pianists have expressed similar interest, including Anthony de Mare as well as Bruce Levingston, who is slated to perform several Philip Glass works.
The 144-seat theater is known as one of the finest acoustic performance spaces in New York City; All About Jazz called it "acoustically magnificent." For a complete schedule and more information, visit www.rmanyc.org.
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.