Playhouse to present French Impressionist Anderson

On the evening of Friday, April 29, lovers of both the music and art of the Impressionists are in for a treat when the Cumberland County Playhouse and sponsor, The Art Guild of Fairfield Glade, present pianist Andrea Anderson from Los Angeles. Anderson has performed in the United States, China, Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania. Anderson’s musical skills began attracting attention at the age of four. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music, Columbia University, University of Southern California and earned her PhD at Claremont Graduate University. She was granted the Harold Bauer Award by the Manhattan School and a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation for further study and performance at the Aspen Music Festival. Her journey into Impressionism, a unique program combining art and music has been hailed by critics and audiences alike.

“Andrea Anderson projects huge images of specific Impressionists’ paintings, reads bits of poems by Impressionists, and then plays the music of Impressionists to show the audiences how each expression of art relates to the other,” said Buster Irvin, concert administrator. “This is such an unusual approach to a concert, to immerse the audience in the sound, the sight, and the words of an entire period of art history,” he said.

It was during the Impressionist period that the Eiffel Tower was built which many feel was a reflection of the art of the time. “It was unusual for someone to make art out of steel, a piece of light and airy sculpture reaching toward the sky,” said Irvin. “In the same vein, there is a lightness of touch that is required to play this French piano music. Not everyone can do it,” said Irvin.

Anderson has her own feelings about the art, the music, and the times: “It is hard to believe that Impressionism was almost a dirty word in France in 1874,” she said. “After the first exhibit which was organized by Monet and Degas in the studio of their photographer friend, Nadar, the critic Louis Leroy, labeled these artists “impressionists” and though they didn’t like it, the name stuck. In spite of the lack of understanding their work received in France, it was accepted and enjoyed in America almost immediately and is still loved today,” she said.

“As with many trends, the visual arts came first and several years later, music followed,” said Anderson. “Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel were the primary Impressionist composers. Their music is wonderfully related to the painters’ ideals and techniques,” she said. “This is a concert that will indulge your senses,” she said.

Coming next to the Playhouse on May 13, is the Cumberland Wind Quintet, Tennessee Tech’s renowned faculty quintet that has performed all over Europe and the United States.

For more information about the eleven plays and musicals and thirteen upcoming concerts throughout this year, please contact the Box Office at 931-484-5000 or www.ccplayhouse.com. Free Spotlights containing full information on all upcoming events during the 40th anniversary season plus dates and times of all events are available to be mailed through the Box Office.

Also showing:

Always, Patsy Cline, now through June 12. Features 27 of Patsy’s greatest hits. The real life friendship between Patsy and Louise Seger, her true friend and biggest fan. Stars Tennessee’s Miss America Kellye Cash of the Johnny Cash family and Playhouse star, Patty Payne of the Sanders Family.

The Spitfire Grill, now through June 4. Ready to retire, Hannah has been trying to sell The Spitfire for years. Who wants to buy a little restaurant in the woodsy, rural town of Gilead? What will happen to the town, and the people, if it closes? You’ll have to come see for yourself.

Big River, now through April 30. Life flows with Roger Miller’s songs and Mark Twain’s story, down the mighty Mississippi with Huck and Jim. A journey into the heart of America for young and old.