Symphony Pride And Summer Potpourri

 

By C.S Gilbert

 

On Pride Monday, June 16, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra, nee The Key West Symphony in 1998, returned to the Tennessee Williams Theater, its first home, in a shocking and sobering, but very appropriate finale for the celebration.

 

 

On the program of the Blue Door Quartet, SFSO’s string ensemble, were works by two famous, gay composers: Samuel Barber (1910 to 1981) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840- 1893). Cellist Arthur Cook, in his mini-lecture (on the order of Edward Pitts) introducing the first selection, the Barber, noted his life-long relationship with composer Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007), whom he met (and taught him English) at Curtis.

 

 

It was Cook’s intro to Tchaikovsky that shocked the audience: Not the fact that the composer was “’homosexual,’ as it was referred to them,” as Cook explained, but the revelation which came to light only within the past decade. “It was generally believed that he died of cholera,” but the truth is much more terrible and tragic.

 

 

Apparently he fought against his same-sex passions, and even married for a time (Cook recommended the biopic starring Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson). When at age 53 an affair with a nobleman came to light (not unlike, soon afterwards, Oscar Wilde’s relationship with Lord Douglas), he was subjected to a six-hour “trial” by his law school peers (while he had studied for the law he never practiced, “going immediately to music,” Cook said). Their verdict was that he either 1) be exiled forever from Russia or 2) commit suicide. He chose the latter, was given arsenic, “which he ingested over a period of the next week and died a horrible death.” However, Cook concluded, the Tsar was quoted as saying, “I have counts and I have generals, but there was only one Tchaikovsky.” Wikipedia acknowledges only “an ongoing debate” about the death.

 

 

What is striking is the progression of tolerance from the most brutal of oppression to the beginnings of acceptance (Barber and Menotti) to the prohibitions of discrimination under law that have passed throughout the world since the late 20th century. It will not be long, I predict, that Western culture, at least, will be free of homophobia, at least under law. So mote it be.

 

 

Something brighter: In the interest of turning the spotlight on the too-often-neglected (at least in this column) culinary arts, please know that the year’s most yummy, delightful, feel-good film, “Chef,” has been held over another week at the Tropic, so you can catch it tonight, June 26, or during the coming week if it’s held over yet again. But it’s worth dropping everything, this moment, and heading for the Eaton St. cinema. Showings are at 2, 4:20, 6:40 and 8:50 p.m. It was entirely due to a heads up from Margaret Domanski that I actually got there. I hope to see it again; it’s that good. Thanks, Margaret!

 

 

Warm congratulations to Peter Arnow, photographer and man about town, who just traveled to Atlantic City to be inducted into the New Jersey Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Some will remember that Peter, who was raised in New Hope, Pa., and came to Key West from Morristown, N.J., was a broadcaster back then. He stayed in radio till 1998, then sold to Clear Channel, served on the founding board of the GLCC and invented the Pride Follies and the Headdress Ball to benefit the Center and/or the Business Guild. Thank you, Pete!

 

 

The Key West Art Center continues to offer free art classes for children on the first Sunday of each month for July and August. In conjunction with Historic Tours of America’s free local admission on the first Sunday of each month, the Center will host the classes from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and each class will be taught by a Key West Art Center member. Classes are held behind the Center, 301 Front St. In case of bad weather, the classes will be held inside. Call 305-294-1241 to reserve a spot.

That’s it for now. Gotta fly!

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