#5: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the Marcus Center.
Why? Because after last weekend’s Beethoven triumph, Edo de Waart and the MSO take a step into the 20
th century, highlighting a romantic favorite and a contemporary symphony that pushes the limits of romanticism. Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski plays the popular Grieg concerto in A minor, proving that a hard-to-pronounce name is no obstacle to plaudits like “a meteorically rising star” and “set to dominate the piano world for a long time to come.” And de Waart conducts John Adams 1985 Harmonielehre, a massive symphonic poem that Adams wrote for de Waart and the San Francisco Symphony.
#4: Mary Nohl Fellowship winners at UWM’s INOVA-Kenilworth.
Why? Because each year, the Nohl fellowships offer a glimpse of the leading edge of the Milwaukee art world, honoring both “established” and “emerging” artists with some walking around money and a showcase. As usual, the wide ranging media here can make your head swim just a bit, but there’s every reason to dive in and go with the flow. Along the way you’ll see Neil Gravander’s video sculptures, Paul Druecke’s charged, simple images, Ashley Morgan’s delicate variations on everyday objects, and Chris James Thompson’s fresh approach to documentary subjects like the Jeffrey Dahmer murders.
#3: Milwaukee Film Festival at a theater near you.
Why? Because there’s still plenty of great film in the city, even as the Milwaukee Film Festival draws to a close. There is still a chance to catch festival keystones like the German comedy, Vincent Wants to Sea, the French biopic Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life. And don’t forget about one-time events like a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind with cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond in attendence, the recently announced screening of Ralph Fiennes adaptation of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. And the closing night offering –Mathieu Amalric’s portrait of the French “New Burlesque,” On Tour, which won Amalric the best director award at Cannes.
#2: Ensemble Musical Offering at All Saints Cathedral and Wauwatosa Woman’s Club.
Why? Because Autumn is as good a time as any to think about the seasons of the year, and Joan Parsley and her music ensemble offers two variations. A complete performance of Vivaldi’s Le Quatro Stagioni on original instruments, which will include readings of the rarely heard sonnets that Vivaldi wrote to accompany the music. And another year’s worth of music: tango master Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
#1: Yellowman at the Milwaukee Rep.
Why? Because Dael Orlandersmith’s drama about inter-racial prejudice created a national stir when it premiered over a decade ago, and it still has the power to evoke the poetry and tragedy of doomed love. A Romeo & Juliet tale for 21st-century America, this production will certainly benefit from veteran actors Erica Bradshaw and Ryan Quinn.
