By Ted AYALA The organ is often referred to as the “king of instruments,” but it’s clear which instrument truly is the king when measured by the media attention and rabid following that the captains of the Steinways, Bösendorfers, Érards and Yamahas summon. Thanks in no small part to the cult of personality that the […]
By Ted AYALA So let me get this out of the way before I start my review: I’m a huge fan of bass-baritone Cedric Berry. Ever since I first heard him about four years ago at a performance of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in Pasadena, his voice had seized my attention. […]
By Ted AYALA Classical music immediately conjures up in the minds of nearly anyone – whether they’re familiar with the genre or not – the sounds of string instruments, namely bowed strings such as the violin and cello. Chances are, however, that whatever string instruments come to mind, the guitar isn’t one of them. And […]
By Ted AYALA Newly-elected Glendale City Councilmember Paula Devine may only be serving the rump of a full term on the council dais, but that isn’t stopping her from laying out ambitious goals that she hopes to accomplish by next April. Working against a time frame that leaves her only nine months for the remainder […]
By Ted AYALA 4th of July weekend is coming up, and with it is no shortage of outdoor concerts with booming music accompanied by the even bigger booms of the obligatory fireworks show. Locals looking for a subtler musical experience that can still blow them out of their seats without leaving them in a smoky […]
By Ted AYALA Paula Devine’s electoral victory onto the Glendale City Council last month was certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder on Tuesday, clearing the way for her formal swearing-in ceremony next Tuesday. Though the chances for an upset were slim, the runner-up for the open council seat, Vartan Gharapetian, declined to concede defeat […]
By Ted AYALA It may be less of a certainty at your typical symphony concert these days, but at a summer concert, where the mood is often casual, a big, loud, flashy close to a program is a must. Summon the brass, percussion and hordes of strings, toss in a chorus, bells, maybe a cannon […]
By Ted AYALA Cheer up, Oktoberfest fans! If you’re ale-ing (pun intended) because the region’s largest event is still a solid three months away, there’s good news. The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce (MVCCC) is preparing to unfurl a new summer celebration that will give beer fans a taste of what is coming in October […]
By Ted AYALA Glendale City Council approved a contract to begin repairs necessary to ensure the integrity of the city’s Park Manor Reservoir. Located along the 2 Freeway behind the Glendale Sports Complex, city staff noted in October that the reservoir had suffered a partial collapse of its roof structure. It was during draining and […]
By Ted AYALA Local music lovers may best know Maksim Velichkin as a cellist. His performances – broadly expressive and always gauzed in a rich, oaken tone – are known well. He can be seen at the front desk of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra’s cello section one afternoon. Next thing, he is at a solo […]