Had enough candy hearts and thorny flowers and jeweled expectations? Get a Super Bowl-sized dose of Valentine's Day-healing subtext with separate interpretations of Igor Stravinsky's
Pétrouchka. Because nothing says, "Honey, sometimes I feel like a doomed, sawdust-filled doll you keep around just to laugh at" like a tragicomic ballet about a wooden puppet's unrequited love. Tonight at 8, the
Friends of Chamber Music, with guest pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman, features three movements from
Pétrouchka on a program that also includes Haydn, Chopin, Bach and three of the five movements from Ravel's spellbinding
Miroirs. That's at the Folly Theater (300 West 12th Street, 816-474-4444). For tickets ($22-$35), see
chambermusic.org or call 816-561-9999. Also tonight — and tomorrow and Sunday — the
Kansas City Symphony welcomes guest conductor Pietari Inkinen for a full airing of Stravinsky's work. Inkinen, who was born in Finland, also leads the symphony in two works by Sibelius:
Finlandia and the Finnish composer's only violin concerto (played by Strad-wielding classical sex symbol Karen Gomyo). Tonight and Saturday, the symphony starts at 8; Sunday's concert is at 2 p.m. All three performances are at the Lyric Theatre (1029 Central). Tickets range from $35 to $55; call 816-471-0400 or see
kcsymphony.org.
Fri., Feb. 12, 8 p.m., 2010
