Look at all these wonderful people making the world better with beautiful art! Thanks to all for their trust and enthusiasm. Plus, I joined in and got a new headshot myself. Hair and makeup by Angela Brasington, Christine Sciortino, Kimberly Cox, and Andrea Samuels. Photos © copyright 2018 by Elliot Mandel. All rights reserved.
cello
Year in Review: Portraits of 2015
Look at all these wonderful people!
Top, L-R: Bridget Skaggs, Juliet Petrus, Ashley Bryan. Mid, L-R: Lauren Haselberger, Robert Nordling, Alexandra Ganser. Bottom, L-R: Penelope Turgeon, Sarah Forbes Orwig, Anna Sanders Lee, Charles Thomas.
Photos © Copyright 2015 by Elliot Mandel. All rights reserved.
Three days with the Music Institute of Chicago
in Music
In November, I had the great fortune of spending three days on three different campuses of the Music Institute of Chicago. From a roomful of musical toddlers to the New Horizons senior band, there was music from everyone, reminding me of my own days of Suzuki cello. The enthusiastic students, teachers, MIC staff, and parents gave me a rich and memorable experience. The future of music is in good hands.
Photos © Copyright 2015 by Elliot Mandel. All rights reserved.
The Avalon Quartet at the Art Institute
"I'm with the band" is becoming my favorite cliche. It was particularly true when I photographed the Avalon Quartet at the Art Institute, getting 360-degree access onstage during rehearsal - something that is impossible during a concert. Fullerton Hall is a perfect venue for chamber music, and the Tiffany glass overhead makes it a visual stunner. Program: Berg's String Quartet, Op. 3; Brahms' String Quartet, Op. 51, No. 1 in c minor. Blaise Magniere, Marie Wang, violins; Anthony Devroye, viola; Cheng-Hou Lee, cello.
Ian Maksin at Old Town School of Folk
It's a pretty cool thing when one artist can blend so easily with other styles. Russian-born cellist Ian Maksin gave a great concert Saturday at the Old Town School of Folk Music that began with contemporary works for unamplified solo cello. By the end of the night, he was plugged into some reverb and sharing the stage with Flamenco guitarist Carlo Basile, percussionist Bob Garrett, and veena master Saraswathi Ranganathan (Basile described her sound as "an Indian Ry Cooder"). As one last feature, Maksin performed with Lucas Segovia from Joffrey Ballet. Here are some shots from the concert, and a few from soundcheck that afternoon.
