By Ted AYALA There were moments of poignancy, but no tears. Only smiles, laughter and the shared delight of audience and musicians alike in good music – no mournful elegies here. The Pasadena Symphony and Pops’ tribute concert on Saturday evening on the steps of Pasadena’s City Hall gathered several hundred music lovers to honor, […]
By Ted AYALA At Camerata Pacifica’s inauguration of its 23rd season at Zipper Hall last Thursday, audiences were welcomed not with a tepid, toe-dip into the musical waters, easing some of their listeners into the organization’s always lively programming. Rather, artistic director Adrian Spence and friends cheerfully dunked their audience into an aural experience that […]
By Ted AYALA Carl Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 3 “Sinfonia espansiva” and 2 “The Four Temperaments” New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Alan Gilbert Dacapo 6220263 | SACD | List price: $16.99 Alan Gilbert’s tenure as music director of the New York Philharmonic has so far been a […]
By Ted AYALA Arthur Honegger: Symphonies Nos. 3 “Liturgical” and 1 Basel Symphony Orchestra/Dennis Russell Davies Sinfonieorchester Basel SOB 002 | DDD | List price $18.99 A few weeks ago, I had an exchange online with a musician living in Europe. The subject was whether Arthur Honegger qualifies as a “neglected” or “forgotten” composer. […]
By Charly SHELTON When I first started newspaper writing in 2002, the first movie I ever reviewed was “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” I sent in a sample review for my audition of sorts to work for the paper. It was about 300 words and I gave it a stunning review because it had been […]
By Ted AYALA In Southern California where chamber music is thriving and world-class musical performances await just around the corner, the Dilijan Chamber Series manages to distinguish itself from the rest. Not only by way of some of the stellar artists that grace its programs – among them Kim Kashkashian, Armen Ksajikian, Vladmir Chernov, Richard […]
By Ted AYALA Matt Catinbub and the Glendale Pops are set to return to the Alex Theatre for a second season beginning Oct. 13. The show will also feature local musician Miles Mosley on bass, who has collaborated with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Joni Mitchell, and Gnarls Barkley, among others. The Glendale Pops second […]
Women from all over the southwest region to come to Pasadena. The Junior League of Pasadena, Inc. (JLP) will host the 2012 Southwest Exchange Conference at the Pasadena Hilton on Sept. 14-15. The Southwest Exchange conference will bring together women from Junior League chapters from all over the southwest region of the United States for […]