Scene and Heard

+ Fantastique Voyage
For those still reeling from the romantic ripples of the Valentine’s Day weekend, the Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks Five: “Fantastique” will keep the fiery passions stoked with a performance of two sweeping pieces of classical orchestration.

Led by visiting conductor Carlos Prieto, in the middle of his ninth season as the music director of the Louisiana Philharmonic, the orchestra will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60” and Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14.” Beethoven’s fourth symphony is a bright and cheerful contrast to his tense and dissonant third symphony and is often overshadowed by the German master’s iconic Fifth Symphony of “da-da-da dummm” and ringtone fame.

Closing the night will be the Romantic French composer Berlioz’s five movement “Symphonie fantastique.” The first narrative symphony depicts the romantic odyssey of a young musician’s impassioned quest to win a woman’s love.

The evening is an epic odyssey of contrasts with both works shifting like sonic quicksilver between each movement. It’s a musical journey from two of classical music’s most influential composers.

+ Art of Giving
Sarasota couldn’t be a major arts and cultural center for Florida and the greater United States without the generous donors and philanthropists who give their time, passion and financial support to create and nurture local arts organizations.

Thomas B. MacCabe, Jr., who died Feb. 10 at the age of 84, was one of those generous supporters who are essential to the Sarasota arts community.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, MacCabe earned a bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University in 1953 and founded his manufacturing firm MacCabe Electric Conductors Inc.

A resident of the Osprey area, MacCabe was a major donor to the Ringling museum, the Sarasota Orchestra and the Sarasota Opera. Thanks to his efforts, the restoration of two of Sarasota’s most treasured art retreats, the Ca d’Zan mansion in 2002 and the Sarasota Opera House in 2008, was made possible.

“Thomas MacCabe’s gift to The Ringling was one of many that brought back to life one of America’s treasures: the Ca d’Zan,” says Ron McCarty, curator of the Ca d’Zan. “Most of the gifts from local patrons went toward the amazing interior decorations that so many people see when they visit. It’s a wonderful legacy to be a part of.”

+ Flora Focus
Pop-ups are known in the food and restaurant industry as a sort of trial run for a restaurant concept or chef searching for funding to go from a temporary location to permanent fixture.

The State of the Arts Gallery, 1525 State St., is taking that pop-up concept to the world of visual arts. Just two doors down at 1549 State St. is the gallery’s pop-up exhibit of David Leaser’s botanical and flower photographic portraits.

Running until April 1, Leaser is a major find for the pop-up concept. His work has received numerous awards including the silver medal from The International Photography Awards; he was the only photographer exhibiting his work at the London Art Biennale in 2013, and he has been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Architectural Digest.

In addition, 11 of his pieces have been added to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens permanent collection in San Marino, Calif. Leaser’s work focuses on the intricate and stunning details of everyday flowers and plants.

Through a process photography critics have labeled “dettagli,” Leaser takes extremely up-close photographs of the flora from around the world. The face and space of a miniscule stigmata or flower petal become worlds unto themselves. Leaser’s art is immersive and encompassing and adds a new perspective to our relation to plants and the environment.

IF YOU GO 
The pop-up gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday.

In addition, a percentage of proceeds from the sales made from the pop-up gallery will benefit Sarasota’s plant protectors, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.