Were you art-full this past weekend?

Did the long weekend provide you with extra chances to immerse yourself in Broome County’s lively arts scene? Then please tell us what you did.

BU spring: A senior recital and final goodbyes

By Sarah Kuras

This past Saturday (May 12) I had the great pleasure of attending Mark Rossnagel’s senior recital at the United Presbyterian Church (formerly First Presbyterian) in Binghamton. Although I have heard him play the organ numerous times throughout our years of friendship, I was truly blown away by his performance at this recital and by his dedication to his craft. All attendees had the great gift of watching this masterful, expressive musician perform.

Were you art-full this past week?

If the arts were part of your week and/or weekend, please tell us what you did and whether you liked it.

BPO program not inspired by Halloween but certainly full of tricky treats

Reviewed by Lee Shepherd

Tricky? Undoubtedly, but the difficult music played by the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra on Halloween Eve was a real treat for the mind and heart. The second concert in the BPO’s 2010-11 Classical Series featured Italian concert pianist Fabio Bidini performing Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Debussy’s Petite Suite and Elgar’s complete Enigma Variations, 14 musical caricatures of Elgar’s friends and family and their quirky mannerisms.

Novo4tet thrills with new and tried-and-true at Phelps concert

Reviewed by Lee Shepherd

Brody, Tayga-Hromek, Christian, Speth

The Novo4tet tried something new last Sunday, and it worked beautifully. The musicians sat in the middle of the beautiful Phelps Museum ballroom, surrounded by the audience and creating a theater in the round. No one was more than four rows from the musicians. I sat in the front row, and it felt as if I were a member of the quartet. And, believe me, it was thrilling to be part of this vigorous, highly skilled and superbly talented ensemble.