Celebrating Stravinsky and the Arabic Oud

It’s hard to believe that some of the early works by Igor Stravinsky are approaching the hundred-year mark. Rich in their instrumental color, spiky rhythms and clashing tonalities, they still sound fresh and vigorous, and are to my ears much more interesting than much of the  century’s later musical works that plod along in a steady tempo. (Yes, I’m talking about minimalism.) The “Firebirdâ€� ballet will turn 100 next year, and not far behind that is the sensational chamber piece for narrator and a septet of strings, winds and percussion, “The Soldier’s Tale,â€� written in 1918. Based on a Russian folk story, the work is a parable about a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil, and is sometimes staged with dance and mime. Music like this gets into the blood, stays there longer than any virus, and rejuvenates young and old.

   On Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., Close Encounters With Music will bring this great piece to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, as part of its annual holiday concert, with renowned English baritone Benjamin Luxon as narrator.

   Virtuoso violinist Yehonatan Berick leads the Stravinsky and other holiday fare, including light-hearted and virtuosic works by Rossini and Eugène Ysaÿe. Berick and artistic director Yehuda Hanani will be joined by a diverse ensemble of Berick’s colleagues from the University of Michigan. Luxon, well-known to local audiences, was one of Great Britain’s major international singers. He began as a member of the English Opera Group which was formed by Benjamin Britten and quickly became one of that composer’s key singers with Britten writing the role of Owen Wyngrave (his television opera) specifically for his voice.  In the early ’90s, Luxon’s singing career came to an end due to severe hearing loss.  His career is now focused on the spoken word, creating and performing programs of poetry and working with various theatrical companies, mainly as a Shakespearean actor.

   Commentary will precede the performance and a reception to meet the artists will follow it. Tickets, $35 and $25, are available at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center box office, 413-528-0100.

   With musical instruments at museums, it’s usually “look, don’t touch,â€� but here’s a chance for kids to get their hands on some really interesting items from around the world. The Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center’s Discovery Club will present globe-trotting musician Chris Merwin on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 2 - 4 pm. Performing for children throughout the Tri-state area over the past 16 years, Merwin has performed at the United Nations and has made numerous appearances on TV and radio. He has traveled the globe to study music and perform, and has become an accomplished player of unusual instruments such as the Arabic oud, Hawaiian steel guitar, and the Japanese shakuhachi flute. He’ll introduce kids to a variety of curious instruments and their history, from the steel drum to a 10-foot long Tibetan trumpet.