Picks of the Week: Dec. 2 – 6 (Wed. – Sun.) in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago and New York City

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 3 – 5. (Thurs. – Sat.) The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, presents a program of Bach and Mendelssohn. Violinist Gil Shaham is featured in a pair of Bach Concertos. The Philharmonic takes the spotlight with Mendelsohn’s Symphony No 1 and Overture for Harmoniemusik. An… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 2 – 6 (Wed. – Sun.) in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago and New York City

December 1, 2015 iromLeave a comment

Highlights of a Long Weekend: Oct. 1 – 4 in Los Angeles

By Don Heckman Oct. 1 – 4. (Thurs. – Sun.) IMMORTAL BEETHOVEN. Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a remarkable, four night tour de force program devoted to all nine of the Beethoven symphonies: #1 and #2 on Thursday; #3 and #4 on Friday; #5, #6, #7 and #8 on Saturday; and a… Read More Highlights of a Long Weekend: Oct. 1 – 4 in Los Angeles

October 1, 2015October 30, 2015 iromLeave a comment

LA Opera Announces its 2015/16 Season

LA Opera Opens the 2015/16 Season with Gianni Schicchi, Staged by Woody Allen LA Opera’s thirtieth anniversary season opens with the double bill of Gianni Schicchi and Pagliacci (September 12 through October 3, 2015). Placido Domingo, LA Opera’s general director, will sing the title role in Woody Allen’s staging of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. The opera… Read More LA Opera Announces its 2015/16 Season

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Picks of the Week: December 1 – 7 in L.A. and Beyond

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 3. (Wed.) Corky Hale and Eloise Laws. Pianist/harpist and all around music master Hale gets together with the engaging, Laws family vocalist Eloise for an evening of prime time music making. Her appropriate title for the evening is “Sisters! A Salute to the Great Women of Jazz, featuring… Read More Picks of the Week: December 1 – 7 in L.A. and Beyond

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Picks of the Week: May 27 – June 1

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 27. (Tues.) Pat Senatore Trio. The stellar Senatore trio – bassist Senatore with pianist Josh Nelson and drummer Mark Ferber have been carrying the torch for solid jazz at its best for years. And their new recording, Ascensione, is a superb display of their effectiveness as a world… Read More Picks of the Week: May 27 – June 1

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Picks of the Week: May 19 – 25

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – May 20. (Tues.) Carol Welsman. She sings with an utter mastery of jazz vocalizing. Add to that Carol’s equally impressive piano playing, always imaginative, always swinging. She doesn’t do a lot of club dates, so don’t miss this one. Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. (310) 474-9400. – May 20. (Tues.) Guitar… Read More Picks of the Week: May 19 – 25

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Picks of the Weekend: December 13 – 15

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 13 – 15. (Fri. – Sun.) Mike Stern Quartet. Guitarist Stern moves convincingly across jazz styles with ease. And he’s backed by a band – featuring Randy Brecker, Anthony Jackson and Dave Weckl – that is equally versatile – and swinging. Catalina Bar & Grill. (323) 466-2210. –… Read More Picks of the Weekend: December 13 – 15

December 12, 2013 iromLeave a comment

Picks of the Week: August 12 – 18

By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 13 & 15. (Tues. & Thurs. Dudamel conducts Verdi’s Requiem. The Los Angeles Philharmonic players, under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, apply their superb versatility to Verdi’s magnificent work. Hollywood Bowl,. (323) 850-2000. – Aug. 13. (Tues.) John Pisano’s Guitar night. It’s been a virtual Southland jazz institution… Read More Picks of the Week: August 12 – 18

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Live Music Theatre: John Adams’ “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” at Disney Hall

A Musical Tidal Wave of Surprises! By Norton Wright New Yorker Magazine’s jazz critic Whitney Balliett in 1959 shorthanded a definition of jazz as “the sound of surprise.” So today, when so very little in the arts genuinely surprises, the shock and awe generated by contemporary composer John Adams and director/librettist Peter Sellars is… Read More Live Music Theatre: John Adams’ “The Gospel According to the Other Mary” at Disney Hall

March 10, 2013March 10, 2013 iromLeave a comment

Live Music: 2012 in Review

By Michael Katz Los Angeles, CA. Looking back over the year’s worth of live performances I covered, mostly in jazz, is a bittersweet experience. There are surely enough terrific moments to fill a column, but in a city with L.A.’s diversity of talent, you can’t help wishing for more. Our club scene is struggling, with… Read More Live Music: 2012 in Review

January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 irom1 Comment

The International Review of Music

Tag: Gustavo Dudamel