Music

JAZZ, GENIUS AND ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS Wynton Marsalis’s wildly enjoyable composition, a new dance suite called  Spaces, combines modern dance with big band jazz in a playful and entirely entertaining exploration of the animal kingdom. Performed for the first time in 2016, this visually captivating Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra production hits the Hollywood Bowl this Thursday,…

CAMERATA PACIFICA’S SEASON 29 BASED IN BEETHOVEN Camerata Pacifica is a chamber music ensemble based in Santa Barbara that performs a monthly series of concerts in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Marino (at the Huntington), and DTLA’s Zipper Hall (at Colburn School). Founded by Adrian Spence in 1990, the group is composed of the finest performers…

BOLÉRO GETS A PERFECT 10 It’s always fascinating to come for a headliner and be completely bowled over by another part of the program. The draw was Augustin Hadelich, one of the world’s greatest violinists, performing Sibelius’s only Violin Concerto at the Hollywood Bowl. I have seen the Juilliard-trained Hadelich on five occasions, and each…

HIS STANDARDS SEAL THE DEAL I was stunned at how many Bowl patrons were arriving during Corinne Bailey Rae’s set at the Hollywood Bowl last Wednesday. I get that Seal was the main attraction, but this soulstress — with her enchanting and seductive vocal whirls — has proved herself to be one of the most…

BOWL OVER BEETHOVEN Last night at the Hollywood Bowl started off with a bang. British composer and guest conducter Â Thomas Adès began an evening of “Beethoven Masterpieces” — with Iceland’s Víkingur Ólafsson offering the Second Piano Concerto — with a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that was decidedly awesome: more rhythmic and decisive than any I…

FEINSTEIN & THE SUMMER OF LOVE: COME ON BABY, LIGHT MY FIRE Of all the Michael Feinstein Pasadena POPS concerts so far, my favorites were his solo presentations of both Gershwin and the two Frank Sinatra concerts, celebrating Ol’ Blue Eyes’ 100th birthday. That’s because Feinstein handed over the conductor’s baton to Larry Blank, who…

DO NOT MISS BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL THIS WEEK Pianist Behzod Abduraimov is coming to the Hollywood Bowl this Thursday, July 12, 2018, so prepare yourself for one of the world’s greatest pianists. In fact, the in-demand, rightfully popular 27-year-old Uzbek pianist, who was born in Tashkent in 1990 just before the collapse…

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! —  Unearthed Rossini opera about newspaper ad hits L.A. after sitting around doing practically nothing for 200 years. Los Angeles — Detectives are trying to determine why one of the greatest opera composers of all time seemingly tossed his delightful but very very silly work La Gazzetta to the back…

MISS ROSS REVIVED MEMORIES, BUT DIDN’T BOWL US OVER Last Saturday was an unusually grey and chilly night for June. Unfortunately, the program for  the opening night of the Hollywood Bowl’s 2018 season was as mild as the weather. I suppose it’s enough that the event raised  more than $1.75 million for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s educational…

BREAKING DOWN FENCES An American requiem, an oratorio, and a choral masterpiece elegantly and movingly performed, Considering Matthew Shepard, which closes tonight at the Ford Amphitheatre, is not to be missed. The full-length work — containing hymns, Western music, spirituals, and other Copeland-esque evocations of American compositions — certainly mourns and honors Shepard, the twenty-year-old…

CARO RIGOLETTO In  Rigoletto, Verdi’s score is as delightful and charming as ever, with such memorable songs as “La donna è mobile” and “Caro nome.” Moreover, it is perfectly balanced between large ensemble scenes and more intimate duets.  Rigoletto  doesn’t drag either, nor is it overly long, but lasts a reasonably full two and a half hours, including…

THIS FESTIVAL IS ALL ABOUT PLAY, BOY OK, you’ve heard about it for years. But now you’re ready to take the plunge (and you should be) to attend the world famous Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. These two marathon days, June 9 & 10, 2018, can seem a bit intimidating, so let me…

SCHUMANN TO WIN YOU OVER Although his life was difficult, to say the least, ending prematurely in madness, Robert Schumann nonetheless composed music that elevates us through its pure spirit and unique personal character. Last week, Gustavo Dudamel began a three-week exploration of this (I think) underappreciated composer.  Of course, Schumann  isn’t always necessarily easy, pleasant or…

LABÉQUE TO THE DRAWING BOARD Forty years since they made their U.S. debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, French sisters  Katia & Marielle Labèque returned for a program that seriously needed to rethink its programming. After the duo’s take on Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite for four hands (1908), the French pianists — led by Marielle’s husband,…

DENK FOR THE MEMORIES His academic lucidity, enchanted virtuosity and musical acumen make him one of the most exciting and accomplished pianists of our age. Now, Jeremy Denk is coming to The Wallis in Beverly Hills for a one-night only recital this Wednesday, April 25, at 7:30. This is a rare opportunity to see this…