By Don Heckman The annual program of events at the Hollywood Bowl is filled with a far-ranging collection of musical delights. So far-ranging, in fact, that the performances – mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays – of classical music programs sans fireworks, dancers or marching bands, are among the uncomplicated pleasures of the Summer. Tuesday night’s… Read More Live Music: Mozart and Beethoven at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman Hollywood, CA. Felix Mendelssohn was well served Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl by the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Nicholas McGegan with violin soloist Ray Chen. “Well served,” that is, by technical virtuosity and – most of the time, but not always – by expressive illumination. The three works on an… Read More Live Music: The Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Nicholas McGegan with violin soloist Ray Chen perform “Magnificent Mendelssohn” at the Hollywood Bowl
By Don Heckman It’s a short week of Picks, largely impacted by the end-of-Summer distractions and the frequent August closure of jazz clubs around the world. But there’s still a lot of music happening. Los Angeles – Aug. 21 (Wed.) Buddy Guy and the Funky Meters. The veteran blues great matches classic riffs with the… Read More Picks of the Week: August 21 – 25
By Don Heckman “Midsummer Mozart” was the headline for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Thursday night Hollywood Bowl concert – the second this week with English conductor Nicholas McGegan at the podium. And, as with his dynamic leadership of a Haydn program on Tuesday, he again guided the talented Philharmonic players through a strikingly authentic set… Read More Live Music at the Hollywood Bowl: “Midsummer Mozart” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Nicholas McGegan and violinist Henning Kraggerud
By Don Heckman It wasn’t an especially high visibility event at the Hollywood Bowl Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Philharmonic was conducted in the first of two appearances this week by the amiable Nicholas McGegan. The soloist of the night was English trumpeter Alison Balsom. And the music was Haydn — not Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner… Read More Live Music at the Hollywood Bowl: The Los Angeles Philharmonic and an all-Haydn program conducted by Nicholas McGegan with trumpet soloist Alison Balsom
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Aug. 21. (Tues.) McGegan conducts Haydn. Nicholas McGegan conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program of Papa Haydn’s finest, including the Alleluia Symphony and the Drumroll Symphony. Add to that an appearance by the brilliant British trumpeter Alison Balsom performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. The Hollywood Bowl. (323) 850-2000. –… Read More Picks of the Week: Aug. 20 – 26
By Don Heckman There are a lot of entrancing elements one anticipates from any given performance of Handel’s Messiah. An opportunity to experience the music, the language and the spiritual perspectives of the mid-18th century. A direct connection with the creative imagination of one of history’s great composers. The pleasures of being wrapped in melodies… Read More Live Music: The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and the Philharmonia Choir perform Handel’s “Messiah” at Disney Concert Hall
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Dec. 15. (Wed.) Chuck Manning and Sal Marquez Quartet. A pair of L.A.’s most solidly dependable swingers go horn to horn in an evening guaranteed to keep your jazz soul alive. Vibrato. (310) 474-9400. – Dec. 15. (Wed.) Jules Day. Rising young jazz star Day celebrates the release of… Read More Picks of the Week: Dec. 15 – 20.
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – July 19. (Mon.) Rachael Sage. The music of New York singer/songwriter Sage has been described as “Elton John Meets Kate Bush,” but she’s a lot more unique than that – a musical happening in her own right. Genghis Cohen. (323) 653-0640. – July 19. (Mon.) Elvis Schoenberg’s Orchestre Surreal. … Read More Picks of the Week: July 19 – 25
By Don Heckman Los Angeles – Nov. 9. (Mon.) Judy Wexler. Wexler’s briskly swinging vocal style finds a perfect match with the trio of organist Joe Bagg, guitarist Bruce Forman and drummer Devin Kelly. Charlie O’s. (818) 989-3110. – Nov. 10. (Tues.) Reginald Robinson. The MacArthur Genius award winning pianist performs solo ragtime pieces… Read More PIcks of the Week: Nov. 9 – 15
The International Review of Music 