A multi-sensory concert celebrating the musical spirit of Maurice Ravel.
Paintings. Dancing. Poetry. Live music. Scent. Food, Delight!
Pianist Heidi Lowy performs piano works of French composer Maurice Ravel in a multimedia performance entitled Ravel Anime. This collaborative event features new dances by Circle Modern Dance, paintings and drawings by local artist Martha James and friends, readings of Symbolist poetry, and related multi-sensory experiences. Piano pieces entitled “Valley of the Bells,” “Boat on the Ocean,” “Sad Birds,” “Night Moths,” and more are seamlessly played to the movements of dancers, while wall projections, candlelight, percussion, and recitations in both French and English are interspersed.
Lowy took her interpretive clues from Ravel’s own influences — Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Verlaine, and other Symbolists working at the turn of the 20th century. The paintings were created with similar influences, including visual artists Pierre Bonnard, Vuillard, and Redon.
The dancers found their approach from direct interpretation of Ravel’s music and James’ artwork.
Lowy’s discography includes the complete works of Ravel and piano sonatas of Mozart.
James works as a musician, visual artist, writer, and facilitator. She founded the classical music series “Classics at the Laurel,” helped produce the world premiere concert “Knoxville Summer of 1915” in Knoxville.
Mark Lamb directs Circle Modern Dance. Their philosophy is that everyone is a dancer.
Note: James is my previous surname.
Many years later, a video remembering this performance… below.
