A Selective Guide to the Arts in Los Angeles

Grant Gershon

The Los Angeles Philharmonic opens its 2010 Classical Series at the Hollywood Bowl in “A Glorious Celebration” with Grant Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC).

Gershon celebrates his 10th year as Music Director with the help of the LAMC, sopranos Jessica Rivera and Christine Brandes, and Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor.

The evening features Haydn’s Te Deum and a grand finale with the incomparable celebration of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus with fireworks (as only the Bowl can produce!).  An interesting twist in the program is the Gloria of both Vivaldi and Poulenc; the Poulenc is exquisite, and it will plant a modern kiss on the evening’s otherwise classical offerings.

The Chorale and Gershon have become a familiar sound around the world through their soundtracks including Charlie Wilson’s War, Lady in the Water, License to Wed, and Waterworld.  But, more impressively in these 10 years, Gershon and the LAMC have continued to expand on their reputation with recordings of Daniel Variations in 2008 and You Are (Variations) in 2005 by Steve Reich on Nonesuch Records, and an RCM recording featuring Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Two Songs to Poems of Ann Jäderlund, and Philip Glass’ Itaipu.  A new release on the Decca label featuring the music of Nico Muhly will be available soon. And congratulations to the LAMC and Gershon for the outstanding honor they so deserve with the prestigious 2010 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.

A tribute to Ernest Fleischmann and a performance of the Lacrymosa from Mozart’s Requiem were added to the program, and will make the event even more special.  Fleischmann’s distinguished tenure, dating back to 1969 as LA Phil Executive Vice President and Managing Director will not be forgotten, as our Bowl and its Phil shine so brilliantly because of him.

Tuesday, July 6, at 8 p.m.

Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood

This event was 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.