Music Music Music

We enjoyed the Pasadena Pops directed by Michael Feinstein at the Arboretum in Arcadia on Saturday night.  The program was "The Gershwins and Me" and included everything from the Overture from "Rhapsody in Blue"  to "Strike up the Band" to "Porgy and Bess Suite" and "Shall We Dance."  Michael was joined by a very entertaining singer, Catherine Russell and Tom Wopat.  The highlight was when Michael sat at the piano...playing and singing.  He is a professional lounge singer and entertainer and that's what I like most.  He is a good director too as in this case he knows all the music from years of singing and playing them. 

Last night was a knock out experience at the Hollywood Bowl with more Gershwin plus Rachmaninoff and and  a West Coast Premiere.  Conductor for the evening was Miguel Harth-Bedoya.  Born in Peru, he lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and three children.  He conducts the Fort Worth Symphony.

The evening began and ended with Gershwin's "Cuban Overture" and "Porgy and Bess Symphonic Picture."  The full orchestra was present with all the principals but one...Ariana Ghez, principal Oboe, was still on vacation, but Marion Arthur Kuszyk, associate principal did a great job.

Then 22 year-old Daniil Trifonov appeared at the Steinway and attacked Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No. 2 in C minor.  The familiar melody soared from the orchestra and from Trifonov who hovered over the keys and played with abandon...sweat dripping off his nose.  This Russian began his musical studies at the age of five at Moscow's Gnesian School of Music.  Since 2009 he has studied piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music.  The large crowd gave him and the orchestra a standing ovation and after 3 curtain calls he played an encore.

Another delight in the program was the West Coast premier of Adam Schoenberg's "Bounce."  The melodic piece was enjoyable and even more fun when I read the notes that said he wrote this before his first child was born.. The 33 year old Schoenberg came out for a bow after the orchestra played.  The notes state that "Bounce is dedicated to my son, Luca.  I know we haven't met yet, but please know that I already love you, both infinitely and unconditionally.  May you enter this world bouncing and soaring with love, creativity, happiness and curiosity.  We will forever be here for you as we watch you grow and become your own person."  That is a fortunate child!  Schoenberg teaches composition at UCLA and is the composer-in-residence with the Lexington Phil and the Kansas City Symphony.

Last night's concert reminded me that we get to see and hear one of the best orchestras in the world plus soloists execute some of the most profound music ever written.  I Love L.A.!

Daniil Trifonov