Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos conducts the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl on July 13 and 15, and violinist Joshua Bell joins him on July 15. / Photos courtesy of LA Phil
The LA Phil’s summer season at the Hollywood Bowl began on July 6 with a grand celebration blast to honor its heroes. Grammy-winning alto Kelly O’Connor clearly demonstrated why she is one of the most sought-after of singers. The program honored Grant Gershon’s 10 years with the LA Master Chorale, and also gave tribute to the late Ernest Fleischmann, long-term music director of the LA Phil, who was recognized for the monumental achievements of our modern orchestra as we have come to know and love it. Fleischmann’s vision and collaborations left our Phil with the world-class Walt Disney Concert Hall and a Hollywood Bowl full of enthusiastic music lovers. In her tribute, Board President Deborah Borda credited the fireworks at the Bowl as another of his innovations, and how fitting the display was that night in his honor. Eric Elias operated the pyrotechnic aspects of the accompanying fireworks, and his timing was uncanny. Bravo to Elias — Fleischmann would have loved it!
This week I recommend the continuing LA Phil series at the Bowl Tuesday and Thursday evening with Spanish conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos.
Tuesday’s French Passion is a must-hear for me, as Frühbeck de Burgos returns to the Hollywood Bowl stage for the first time since 2003 with an all-French program that features LA Phil Principal Concertmaster Martin Chalifour performing Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3 and also includes Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 and Debussy’s La Mer.
On Thursday, Conductor de Burgos concludes his week at the Hollywood Bowl with Bell Plays Bruch, a program featuring works by Bruch and Mahler. Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell, whom Musical America honored as the 2010 Instrumentalist of the Year, performs Bruch’s popular Scottish Fantasy. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 completes the evening.
Both concerts will be fantastic. Find me at the Bowl this week!
French Passion: Tuesday, July 13, 8 p.m.
Bell Plays Bruch: Thursday, July 15, 8 p.m.
Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood
These events were selected from among those listed in Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter, an extensive calendar of upcoming music events, large and small, happening all around Los Angeles.