An ethereal concert at St. John's, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.

Jared Denhard with his bagpipes and  Michael Lodico on the organ at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church.  The eagle landed and approved/Photo by Patricia Leslie

It wasn't that I had died and gone to heaven; I had just gone to heaven at St. John's Episcopal Church, listening to Jared Denhard's bagpipes and Celtic harp, and Michael Lodico on the organ at the church's mid-day First Wednesday concert.

I still breathed, but barely, and floated in the tranquility of the moment, hearing the celestial sounds which carried me far away to peaceful places, a respite for any soul seeking truth and beauty. 

Michael Lodico played at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

The presentation began with Pipe Dreams and then My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, followed by Highland Cathedral, O'Carolan Suite for Celtic Harp, Maids of Morn Shore for Celtic Harp, and to finish, Over the Hills Medley which included Amazing Grace whose beauty still remains in my mind for which I am grateful.

At the end of the performance I found myself wanting to buy the artists' CD, but none was offered.

Jared Denhard on the bagpipes at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

The crowd continues to grow at these concerts (I estimate about 200 attended last week), and it's no wonder since, in just 35 minutes, they can embrace you quickly and carry you off to just about anywhere you want to go.

Only three concerts remain in this year's First Wednesday series, and April 19th's will be on a Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. when the St. John's Choir will sing.

The May and June Wednesday performances will begin at 12:10 p.m. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away, for those on lunch break.

Who:  St. John's Choir

What: Spring Concert

When: 4 p.m., April 19, 2015

May 6, 12:10 p.m. The U.S. Air Force Strings accompanied by Benjamin Hutto on the organ will play a Handel concerto and other works.

June 3, 12:10 p.m.  Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral, will perform.

Where: St. John’s, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, at the corner of 16^th, Washington, D.C. 20005

How much: No charge

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square (White House exit), Farragut North, or Farragut West

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico at 202-270-6265 or 202-347-8766

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At the 2015 Philadelphia International Flower Show

At the entrance to the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show where nothing is artificial/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

This year's theme at the Philadelphia Flower Show was Hollywood movies, "Lights!  Camera!  Bloom!" and what fun and beauty it all was, as usual.  Claire and I have made it an annual trek with the Smithsonian Associates for three years now, and our expectations are always exceeded, with the show, the pageantry, the artistry, lights, color, and action!  And the alcohol (beer and wine we drank) which make it more fun to walk around and admire the outstanding creations of so many, which increased in beauty, somehow, the more we drank (just kidding). 

 

And the products to buy!  I must have been the only one on the bus back to D.C. to leave with nothing purchased, save wonderful memories, and the visuals of Gene London's exhibition of Hollywood gowns for $5; well worth it in my playbook.  Below are highlights from the "world's longest-running and largest indoor flower show."

At the entrance to the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show.  It was bigger than my bridal bouquet/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is the back of the entry from the Men's Garden Club of Philadelphia which based its design on the movie, Tarzan.  At the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At the front of Tarzan, entered by the Men's Garden Club of Philadelphia at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The entry by Inchscape, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was based on the movie, The Prince of Persia, at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A multi-award winning entry by Leon Kluge Landscape Design of South Africa, modeled on A Maleficent View at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

A scene inspired by Finding Nemo by J. Downend Landscaping from Crum Lynne, Pennsylvania at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show.  "Underwater" viewers could look above and find a big boat "floating" overhead/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 From "Pooh's Hunny Depot" by Irwin Landscaping of Hockessin, Delaware at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Waldor Orchids from Linwood, New Jersey used Peter Pan in Neverland as its theme at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

One of my favorites, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice Meet the Horticulturist's Apprentice" based on Walt Disney's (a lot of Disney was present) Fantasia, presented by Mercer  County Community College from Trenton, New Jersey in the Education Division at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by Paul Hervey-Brookes & Associates from Gloucestershire, United Kingdom at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Another view of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by Paul Hervey-Brookes & Associates from Gloucestershire, United Kingdom at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

"Cinderella's Wedding" by Robertson's Flowers & Events, Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Based on Frozen by Michael Bruce Florist, Pennsauken, New Jersey. Flowers seemed sparse because they don't grow on ice?/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Based on Aladdin by Pure Design of Philadelphia at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This flower purse won the Blue Ribbon in its category at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show.  A purse with wings. Can you see Kate Middleton carrying it? I doubt the Queen would approve/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In the Miniatures Division, Beverly Sue Palacia won an Honorable Mention portraying Miss Scarlett on the porch calling to Mr. Butler in Gone with the Wind at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show.  A judge wrote:  "While the placement of Tara is pleasing to the scene, the architectural details are inaccurate." I do declare, Miss Scarlett: Tara was a figment of imagination so does that make "architectural details" inaccurate since they didn't exist?  Those judges are outright picky. but they need to find something to pick on, I suppose. The labels for every miniature list all plants used in each design/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lucille Dickerson took Third Prize with her An Affair to Remember entry in the Miniatures Division at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Cathy Bandoian won Second Prize with her Enchanted April entry in the Miniatures Division at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

First Prize in the Miniatures Division was awarded to Louise Krasniewicz for Rear Window at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Pamela Goldman won a First Prize in the Miniatures Division at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show for her "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" entry/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In the movie posters category, Peggy S. Moore from Fairfield, Connecticut's Garden Club won Second Prize for her Thor at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show. A judge wrote the "placement of Heliconia disrupts the balance." If I knew what the hell "Heliconia" is, it might have added more points to the Blue Ribbon I would have awarded Ms. Moore for Originality, Style, and Design.  Look at it!  Incredible!/Photo by Patricia Leslie

In the jewelry division of previous Blue Ribbon flower show winners, a watch of flowers and plants which Richard Burton might have given to Elizabeth Taylor, on display at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show. Made with macadamia, crape myrtle, grapevine, nandina, wild rice, oak, pokeweed, green peppercorn, and black peppercorn.  Good enough to eat!  Edible watches.  Another product idea for Apple.  If you get hungry, just eat your watch!/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Another jewelry entry from previous Blue Ribbon winners in the category of a Richard Burton gift to Elizabeth Taylor at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show.  The components are all plants and flowers, mind you:  anise seed, almond, chickpea, coriander seed, cumin seed, rice bean, juniper berry, split pea, peppercorn, mustard seed, pecan shell, andromeda, crape myrtle, hibiscus, money plant, allium, and cotton.  No wonder I failed biology/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Another outstanding jewelry design at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show made from eucalyptus, millet, wisteria, split pea, billy ball, French lentil, silver brunia, and star anise/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This asparagus fern won a Blue Ribbon at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show and won at the 2013 show. (How many times can one enter the same plant?  Another multi-year winner is further down.) We wondered if the white fronds were an outgrowth of age /Photo by Patricia Leslie

Lynn Cook and Troy Ray from Liberty Bell Gesneriad Society won a Third Prize for their Sinningia Bulbosa at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Another Blue Ribbon winner at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show which also won a Second Prize in 2013. Something for everyone! "Help!  I've fallen and I can't get up."/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is a replica of Cinderella's glass slipper which the actress in the upcoming movie actually wears, said a vendor at the Philadelphia 2015 Flower Show. The actress (who is?) said the shoes are really uncomfortable, according to the vendor.  Really?  Wearing broken glass is uncomfortable?  Sounds like a typical shoe design to me/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

Compare entries from the 2013 show.

 

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Hollywood gowns at the Philadelphia Flower Show

Leslie Caron wore this gown designed by Walter Plunkett and Helen Rose for 1955's The Glass Slipper. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

 

The theme at this year's 2015 Philadelphia International Flower Show (to see at least one year before you die) is "Lights, Camera, Bloom!" as in Hollywood, and what better place to show off some of Gene London's collection of 60,000 costumes than the show which captured international honors as "the best event in the world" (International Festivals & Events Association)? If you missed it, there's next year!  A docent said London's collection travels the world, but he has no museum to display costumes.  She said everyone admires the tiny waistlines on display, and the gowns.

Audrey Hepburn wore these two Cecil Beaton gowns in 1964's My Fair Lady.  From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Elizabeth Taylor wore this Halston at the 1972 Academy Awards presentation. The label below the gown says Ms. Taylor flew the designer out to Hollywood where he created this for her in three days.  From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Bette Davis wore this Nolan Miller gown when she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at Spain's San Sebastian Film Festival in 1989. Too weak from illness to make it back to the U.S., Ms. Davis, 81, died soon afterwards in France. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

The crowd at the Gene London Hollywood Collection exhibition at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Tallulah Bankhead was Catherine the Great in The Royal Scandal in 1945 and wore this gown designed by Rene Hubert. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Tallulah Bankhead and James Stewart in The Royal Scandal from 1945. (See gown above.) From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

In 1939's  Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Bette Davis played the queen in this Orry Kelly creation. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Lana Turner was "Samarra" and a size 3 in this scandalous-at-the-time Herschel creation for The Prodigal in 1955. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

The Marilyn Monroe collection from Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

At Gene London's Hollywood Collection exhibition at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This is a replica of a gown worn by Scarlett O'Hara (Vivian Leigh) in 1939's Gone with the Wind.  From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

In the classic stairwell scene in Gone with the Wind, Miss Scarlett (Vivian Leigh) wore this gown when Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) carried her upstairs. From Gene London's Hollywood Collection/Photo by Patricia Leslie at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show

Gene London's Gone with the Wind Collection at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

At Gene London's Hollywood Collection exhibition at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Gene London, the collector, at his Hollywood Collection exhibition at the 2015 Philadelphia Flower Show/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

patricialesli@gmail.com

Free bagpipes and organ concert at St. John's, Lafayette Square, March 4

Bagpiper Jared Denhard

The Highland piper and Celtic harper, Jared Denhard, will join organist Michael Lodico in a free noontime concert, Pipes and More Pipes, Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square.

Organist Michael Lodico

Mr. Lodico is the associate organist and choir master at St. John's who teaches organ and is a music critic.  Mr. Denhard also teaches, composes, and performs at Celtic, jazz, and classical events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and is a member of the rock band, O'Malley's March, among other groups.   

St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is often called the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with President James Madison, who was president from 1809 to 1817, every president has been a member of St. John's or has attended services at the church. A plaque at the rear of St. John's designates the pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by the church during the Civil War.

All concerts start at 12:10 p.m. (with an exception in April), and last about 35 minutes. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away, for those on lunch break.

Who:  Organist Michael Lodico and bagpiper Jared Denhard 

What: Pipes and More Pipes, First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., March 4, 2015

Where: St. John’s, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, at the corner of 16^th, Washington, D.C. 20005

How much: No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square (White House exit), Farragut North, or Farragut West

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico at 202-270-6265 or 202-347-8766

Future dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

April 19 (Sunday), 4 p.m.: Spring Concert by St. John's Choir

May 6: The U.S. Air Force Strings accompanied by Benjamin Hutto performing a Handel organ concerto and other pieces

June 3: Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral


patricialesli@gmail.com

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gave us fever

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Assistant Conductor Nicholas Hersh

Before the concert began at Strathmore Saturday night, a man came out on stage to announce the guest conductor* had been ill with a fever and would not be able to lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and substituting at the last minute would be the BSO's new (since September) assistant conductor, Nicholas Hersh, he, who hesitated nary a second to welcome the surprising opportunity, bounding out upon the platform, and almost leaping to the podium, exuding confidence and showmanship far beyond his years of almost 30, one would guess.

Hersh's eagerness for a leadership role and the chance to display his talents may not happen often enough for an ambitious musician, and this was a night to glow.

At times during the evening and looking at his back, I was reminded of a horse race:  He was the rider swinging from left to right and right to left, urging his horse to go faster and faster, waving his arms with fury and whipping the animal, I mean the orchestra, into frenzy to jump over the barriers so it would win at the finish line, and win it did with flourish, Conductor Hersh's head held high in victory.

He secured stunning performances all night from the BSO whose members responded energetically to the conductor's baton, urged on by a cheering audience at the end of each piece. 

Throughout the presentation, concertmaster Jonathan Carney got more than his usual workout, performing with his customary flair and gusto.
 
On the program for the first act were Hector Berlioz's Le corsaire, Op. 21 and Ravel's Trio in A Minor, and opening the second was Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488 played by the internationally acclaimed French-Canadian Louis Lortie who produced much enthusiasm from the warming crowd who came out on another very cold night.

But the featured selection was the finish, Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, written for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes which brought to mind the spectacular costumes and exhibition presented by the National Gallery of Art in 2013. The standing, cheering audience called Hersh back three times.

All the pieces Saturday night were exquisite components of another thrilling night at Strathmore, marred only by a rodent or person behind me (I was initially afraid to look) who wrinkled and rattled a candy wrapper at the beginning of the second movement of Ravel's Trio. 

My eyes soon followed those of another woman who sat in front of me who turned to glare at the sound maker which turned out not to be a rodent after all, but a woman of about 55.  She may as well have been rattling pots and pans, the racket she made.

I joined the eyes attack and soon, the crinkling, like a fire in a fireplace, ceased. 

At intermission I complained to an usher about the music interruption, and she said she was only a volunteer usher and strictly forbidden from saying anything to patrons, but I could complain to the house manager if I liked, but where was the house manager and who wanted to spend time searching for the house manager when the program was about to resume? 

And why, asked the volunteer/usher, did people even come to the symphony if they didn't know symphony etiquette? 

At the beginning of the second act, I hoped for music only (as one often wishes at a concert hall) but, alas, it wasn't crinkling wrapper this time which interrupted the lovely sounds coming from the stage, but pages turning!  My colleague-in-arms had moved up a row to an empty seat and out of earshot since she exhibited no annoyance with the new blast.

Stealing a glance over at the candy wrapper rapper, I saw she was bent over, looking down and reading something she held between her knees. Perhaps she had an upset stomach and was thumbing through Dr. Spock?  After that, she was quiet.  I mean, lady!  Why bother coming?

Dear Strathmore:  If you had more room for restaurant patrons and more tables, I would have been happy to have ordered your grilled salmon, however, eating it off the floor which is where some of your customers may push my plates seeking a table top for their own dinners, is uncomfortable and rushed, especially if you are wearing a skirt.

"Oh, so sorry," they say, as my roll rolls along on the floor heading to the adjoining table where those restaurateurs will soon stomp on it. "We thought you were finished."  

Where's the symphony to that? (I do exaggerate, but not by much.)

*Yan Pascal Tortelier

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