An Enduring Legacy

Twenty-five years ago, during a serendipitous window-shopping trip, Saratoga County resident Thomas Clark began studying and collecting pre-1940 American impressionist landscape paintings. Today his collection numbers more than 100 works, and is considered one of the finest private collections in upstate New York.

Comprising of works by students and partners of renowned impressionists such as Robert Henri and Childe Hassam, Clark’s collection of lesser-known painters reveals the accomplished work of American impressionists, including many rarely studied female artists, and the diversity of American landscapes—from snowy mountains and sun-drenched hillsides to harbor scenes and cityscapes.

Clark has announced his intention to donate his collection to the Hyde, where 68 of the paintings, representing works by 50 painters, including Ernest Bruce Nelson’s April in Central Park (pictured), will be on exhibition beginning this week.

An Enduring Legacy: American Impressionist Landscape Paintings From the Thomas Clark Collection opens at the Hyde Collection (161 Warren St., Glens Falls) on Sunday (Nov. 15) and runs through March 28. There will be a member preview and opening reception Saturday (Nov. 14) at 6:30 PM. For more information, call 792-1761.

Albany Symphony Orchestra

The latest offering from the Albany Symphony Orchestra is a three-part presentation, blending new works and classical favorites.

Award-winning composer Stacy Garrop makes her ASO debut with her tone poem, Becoming Medusa, a musical portrait of the mythical gorgon, which imagines her life before the gods transformed her. The new work will be followed by a young artist showcase, as 14-year-old piano virtuoso George Li performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ popular Piano Concerto No. 2. The evening concludes with Brahms’ romantic masterpiece Symphony No. 2.

Garrop’s work has been described as “crackling with energy and vitality,” and the Worcester Telegram hailed Li as having “talent and technique somewhat larger than this solar system.” Sounds like a paring worth checking out.

The Albany Symphony Orchestra will perform with George Li and Stacy Garrop at the Palace Theater (19 Clinton Ave, Albany) on Saturday (Nov. 14) at 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $25 to $49, $20 to $44 for seniors. During intermission, Napa Valley vintner (and former upstate resident) Joseph Carr will offer a complimentary wine tasting. For more info, or to purchase tickets, call the Palace box office at 465-4663.

Grant-Lee Phillips

We’re trying to remember the last time Grant-Lee Phillips played in the Capital Region. We think it was when he was part of the Aimee Mann Christmas show, singing a few of his own songs and dueting hilariously with Ms. Mann on “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

What we’re getting at, however, is that Phillips’ appearance at the Linda on Saturday night is a very special event. Phillips has a new, upbeat album, Little Moon, released last month. It’s his fifth solo album—time flies, eh?—which is why we’re not going to take up a lot of space mentioning his breakthrough band, Grant Lee Buffalo. How special is the ocassion? We know people who can’t make the Saturday show at the Linda, and are driving out to Northampton for the Friday night show at the Iron Horse.

Openers the Winterpills just released their third album, Central Chambers; they will also perform with Phillips on a few numbers.

Grant-Lee Phillips and openers the Winterpills will perform tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 13) at 7 PM at the Iron Horse Music Hall (20 Center St., Northampton, Mass.) and Saturday (Nov. 14) at 8 PM at the Linda (339 Central Ave., Albany). Tickets to both shows, oddly enough, are $18. For tickets to the Linda show, call 465-5233 ext. 4. For info about the Iron Horse show, call (413) 586-8686.