Beyond the IQ calisthenics, you should attend tomorrow's New World Symphony performance, because it's your last chance to see Michael Tilson Thomas conduct anything in the Lincoln Theatre. Although the NWS, America's only orchestral academy, has other performances scheduled through December, MTT's next performance will be at the opening concert at the new Frank Gehry-designed campus in late January.
This weekend's program, titled "MTT's Lincoln Farewell," features
cellist Lynn Harrell and will include Mackey's "Eating Greens," Tchaikovsky's
" Variations on a Rococo Theme" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7." After
making beautiful music in the historic theater since 1989, MTT feels
nostalgic for the charming space. "I have so many fond memories of the
Lincoln Theatre. It's been the launching pad for a program with major
ambitions, not only here in Miami Beach and South Florida, but
worldwide, and has allowed us to imagine, create and share our love for
classical music with the community. In designing the new campus, we
tried to capture and even improve upon the intimacy of the Lincoln
Theatre, one of its greatest assets."
will have an igloo-like concert hall with high-tech acoustic and
projection features as well as a beehive of rehearsal rooms and practice
spaces. The design also includes an exterior projection wall that faces
a two-acre park. Feeds of NWS's performances will appear in this
outdoor theater as well commissioned video art.
The new campus opens on January 25, 2011 when MTT will host childhood friend
Gehry, and the giant projection wall will screen videos by artists Tal
Rosner and C.E.B. Reas. MTT conducts for the first time in these new
digs on January 26, in the inaugural program of Wagner's "Overture to
the Flying Dutchman," Adés (paired with more video art by Rosner), and
Coplands's "Symphony No. 3." Tickets will go fast, but luckily, the
program will be projected on the exterior wall the following Friday,
January 28.
Catch "MTT's Lincoln Farewell" this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln
Theatre (541 Lincoln Rd. Miami Beach). Tickets cost $98. Sunday's 2 p.m. performance is already sold
out. Call 305-673-3331 or visit nws.edu.
Here's a taste of Rosner's video art, which could end up screening in Lincoln Park: