26000 American Dr.
Southfield, MI 48034
248-357-1100
bottom of a world full of lies / I ain't
looking for nothing in anyone's eyes."
It is so common for any discussion
of Bob Dylan to focus on his lyrics
that it is easy to overlook the fact that
he is also a very original musician. For
all the talk of Dylan's voice (or lack
thereof), he is actually one of the most
interesting singers around. His
abstract vocal phrasings twist familiar
lines, placing accent on unexpected
words, resulting in new meanings of
old lyrics. Though his voice has deteri-
orated over the years, Dylan continues
to draw artistic strength from his vocal
shortcomings.
His guitar style is as unconvention-
al as his singing. Handling most of the
evening's solos, Dylan looked as if he
was having the time of his life, living
out some sort of schoolboy "rock god"
fantasy which never quite subsided.
Turning up the sound, the band
closed with "Not Fade Away," a Bo
Diddley-beat rocker made famous by
the Rolling Stones, reminding the 900
or so St. Andrew's fans that all the
heady poetry discussions aside, it's still
only rock 'n' roll. And I liked it.
— Reviewed by Alex Lurnelsky
Perhaps, like other pianists tackling
this monumental work, he expended
his energy early on and had no reserve
of stamina at the end. However, Kissin
isn't an effete pianist; maybe he needs
to grow into the piece. If he needs
inspiration, he need only to turn to
the great Horowitz, who took on this
tiger with a savage hunger, resulting in
a neurotic but heart-stopping perfor-
mance.
Kissin redeems himself with a bold,
decidedly aggressive take on the
Ballade in F. He begins the piece with
a gossamer daintiness, only to explode
in a sturm and drang paroxysm of
Romantic fury.
Both the lyrical Ballade in A-Flat
and tragic Ballade in F Minor are
played with exquisite attention to
detail without sounding precious.
Kissin jumps headlong into the con-
clusion of the F minor, but doesn't
lose control of his technical command.
Kissin's delicacy is amply apparent
in the tender Berceuse. Many heavy-
handed interpreters crush the filigree
in this lovely work, but Kissin's touch
is rose-petal soft.
The swaying Barcarolle is filled with
tonal nuances, which Kissin follows to
the hilt, including the trills at the end,
which slowly but firmly climax in
audibility.
The pianist closes the program with
the Scherzo No. 4, which he begins
with a kind of fey sprightliness that's
soon transformed into a serious medi-
tation as the music's mood darkens.
Kissin delves into this work with such
perception and understated ardor that
you wish the other three Scherzi
would immediately follow.
—Reviewed by George Bulanda
New On CD
Chopin: The Four Ballades, Berceuse,
Barcarolle, Scherzo No. 4; Evgeny
Kissin, piano; RCA Victor Red Seal
Kissin's powerhouse technique and
poetic sensibility suffuse this program
in radiant abundance. The 28-year-old
Russian pianist (his parents were
members of Moscow's Soviet Jewish
intelligentsia) plays Chopin by turns
sensitively and passionately — and
nearly always seductively.
However, the mighty Ballade in G
minor, the downfall of many a pianist,
eludes Kissin. The notes are all in the
right places, but there is little drama in
what is quite possibly Chopin's most
theatrical work. The cascade of octaves
in the coda are surprisingly weak and
anti-climactic. The crashing notes
should resonate with thunder, but
Kissin sounds tired and uninspired.
The Glass Tower
The work of American glass artist
Dale Chihuly is currently on display
at the Tower of David Museum of
History of Jerusalem through July
2000. The exhibit plays a pivotal role
in Israel's celebration of the millenium
since it was 2,000 years ago that the
art of glass blowing was first developed
in the eastern Mediterranean.
The exhibition of Chihuly's mon-
umental glass works provides extraor-
dinary vistas for Jerusalemites and
tourists. Some sculptures hang from
the city's 16th-century ramparts and
from the giant towers that were con-
structed by King Herod two millen-
nia ago.
Centerpiece of the exhibit is a 40-
foot high sculpture, fashioned from
2,000 pieces of glass. Another high-
Hilton Inn
Southf i eld
We just spent S1.5 million to be completely
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We've gone to extremes to update, upgrade, and improve
our hotel. We've installed new carpet, furniture, wall paper, and drapes
throughout the hotel. We've redesigned the layout of our guest rooms and
equipped every one with 2-line telephones with voicemail & data ports; a
large work desk with thoughtful features like desk level outlets, pull-out
shelf for your laptop and ergonomic chair; a coffee maker; and a hair dryer.
We've even converted all of our queen beds to kings. Come, check
FROM
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per night
us out. For reservations, call your professional travel agent,
1-800-HILTONS, or the hotel direct at 248-357-1100.
It happens at the Hilton.
www.southfield.hilton.com Offer valid through 12/30/99. Limited availability; advance reservations required. Rate
exclusive of tax and gratuity and does not apply to groups or other offers and is subject to change without notice. The
Hilton name and loco are trademarks owned by Hilton. ©1999 Hilton Hotels.
WANTED
The Jewish Community Center's
48th Annual Jewish Book Fair
is looking for local authors to participate in the
LOCAL AUTHOR MINI-FAIR
Sunday, November 7 • 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
Books must be published between November 1998 and November 1999
and be written by a Jewish author or have Jewish content. Deadline for
submission is Tuesday, August 31. Send or fax submissions to:
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building • Attn: Book Fair
6600 W. Maple • West Bloomfield, MI 48322 • Fax: (248) 661-7711
For additional information, call (248) 661-7648.
7/16
1999
Detroit Jewish News
89