 The Lirios Quartet, University of Colorado Boulder String Quartet in Residence, will perform in concert Tuesday, January 31, 2023 @ 5:30 pm, Basalt Regional Library.
Their program will include String Quartet in C major, op.74, ‘Apponi’ No. 1 by Franz Joseph Haydn and Beethoven’s String Quartet in E minor, op. 59 ‘Razumovsky’, No. 2. This program affords an opportunity to observe the historical changes in the string quartet form as it moves from performance in aristocratic private palaces to the public concert hall. It changes from an intimate genre to a composition with more dramatic weight. Upon Haydn’s return to Vienna from London, he was commissioned by Hungarian Count Anton George Apponyi to write string quartets for ‘the privilege of dedication"(1793). By this time, Haydn, who is accredited with establishing the ‘true string quartet four movement scheme’, was composing in a style that reflected the change from ‘private to public performance’ string quartets. In op. 74, No. 1, Haydn expands the form by using slow introductions to various movements, a more forceful style including dramatic melodic gestures, musical surprises, increased instrumental conversation between all instruments, and counterpoint. Beethoven’s Razumovsky quartets were written in 1806, his ‘heroic’ period. He uses Haydn’s late quartet form and expands it to accommodate his ‘revolutionary’ style. The Razumovsky quartets were commissioned by Count Andreas Razumovsky, Russian ambassador to Vienna. These quartets are long and difficult. In op.59, No. 2, Beethoven’s style includes beautiful melodies, followed by ambiguous harmonic uncertainty and disjointed resolutions, lots of light-dark struggling, rhythmic patterns that almost seem ‘funky’. Pay close attention to the closing tarantella of the fourth movement. It has been compared to rock music with all instruments wailing away! Musical forms continually evolve/expand/contract as composers attempt to express themselves through the same genre. Let us as listeners attempt to follow these evolutions with open minds. A special thanks is extended to Aspen Music Festival and School and their Beginning Strings and Chamber Music Lab for bringing the Lirios Quartet to our valley. During the week, the quartet has shared their talents and expertise with our youth through classroom visitations, demonstrations, and performances.
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 Lenore Raphael, jazz pianist, and jazz guitarist, Wayne Wilkinson, will perform a concert of jazz Friday, January 27 @ 5:30 at Basalt Regional Library. The program will include a mix of older jazz tunes (i.e. Ellington) and some mainstream tunes from the Great American Songbook, plus a bit of bebop!  Lenore, born in New York, studied classical music at the High School of Music & Art in Manhattan, then attended New York University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in music. After graduating, she switched to playing jazz being deeply influenced by Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and George Shearing. Lenore is an authorized and accredited Steinway Artist, known as the blond Ambassador of Steinway. She has her own radio show, teaches piano, performs in jazz clubs, festivals, and concert halls both nationally and internationally  Wayne, a Benedetto Guitar Artist, is a headliner guitarist that performs and tours across the country and internationally. His impeccable sophistication has earned him the reputation of being the most outstanding jazz guitarist of the century.
The extensive list of well known musicians that Wayne has performed with include Bill Watrous, Bucky Pizzarelli, Johnny Smith, Henry Mancini, Michael Becker, and others. In his career, he has performed with President Bill Clinton, Bob Hope, Roger Williams, and others. In addition to performances in jazz clubs, concert series, and private events, he is a faculty member at Colorado Springs Conservatory where he helped establish their jazz program.  I saw the film, Elvis (2022) with a friend at the movie theater this past summer. Even though I would say I am an avid fan because I do own an Elvis: Greatest Hits CD, I did not have too many expectations walking into the movie. Overall, it was a fun and entertaining film and a beautiful homage. While watching this film, you will experience a variety of emotions. In one moment you will be gawking over actor Austin Butler’s (who played Elvis Presley) gyrations and the next you will be bawling your eyes out. This biopic showcases the life of the legendary musician Elvis Presley including his dysfunctional childhood, his rise to fame, and becoming a rock and roll legend. It also dives into the complicated relationship he had with his controversial manager, Colonel Tom Parker, portrayed by the always charismatic Tom Hanks. What sets this movie apart from other biopics is that it is not told in first person narrative. Rather, Tom Parker narrates the plot. Viewers of the film may see Tom Parker as the film’s antagonist. The film details the many highs and lows throughout his career including successful record sales and failed relationships.
I thought the acting from both Hanks and Butler was superb. Even though Butler did not always resemble Presley because of his facial features, he did his best to embody his character’s’ expressions, voice, and mannerisms. Both Butler and Hanks were unafraid to be vulnerable. Even though the film’s runtime was 2 hours and 39 minutes, I thought it flew by rather quickly. Even though the film kept me fairly intrigued, I thought the plot was a little drawn-out in some areas. I was super impressed with the songs included in the film, especially after reading that Butler did his own singing, mixed with Elvis’s vocals. Elvis’s songs weren’t the only stand out musical moments: watching all of the soul music performances that influenced Elvis’s style really lifted my spirits. Overall, I would rate this movie 7/10 stars. - Amy Schuster The Guadalajara International Book Fair is held every year in Jalisco, Guadalajara Mexico. Over nine days, distributors, publishers, librarians, and booksellers from across the world come together to share their culture, ideas, and new works. As the largest international book fair in the world in Spanish, the Guadalajara International Book Fair is especially important for Spanish-language publishers, authors, and readers.  In addition to being a native Spanish speaker, the Basalt Regional Library asked me to attend the 2022 Guadalajara International Book Fair due to my experience with both childrens’ books and international travel. Over three very busy days at the book fair, I evaluated and purchased books from Spain, Central and South American publishers for children, teens, and adults alike. I also attended cultural meetings, as well as workshops and book presentations. Finally, I was able to interact and share experiences with librarians from the United States and across the world.  I was surprised by how many people from South America came to this fair, but was most surprised and excited to witness the Mexican public’s love of reading. For three days I was surrounded by publishers and distributors from Mexico and other countries, who gave presentations on brand new books. I was impressed above all by the beauty of children's books, with very original themes and artwork. I am excited to share these new books from Latin America, and am sure families visiting the library will enjoy them for years to come.
- Gaby Lagos |
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