Zubin Mehta
In celebration of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s 75th anniversary season and the 50th Anniversary of Zubin Mehta’s conducting debut, the IPO and Maestro Mehta embark on an eight-concert, seven-city U.S. tour in February, which culminates with a concert and gala at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 1. The program includes Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 in D major, “The Miracle,” and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.
Founded in 1936 as the Palestine Orchestra, the IPO is a distinguished orchestra dedicated to presenting the world’s greatest classical music to audiences in Israel and worldwide. Known as the “Heartbeat of a Nation,” the IPO serves as an international cultural emissary for the State of Israel. The New York Times wrote of the IPO: “the quality of its playing makes it among Israel’s most visible and beloved cultural symbols, able to attract global musical stars.”
Of course, Mehta will be a huge draw for the Los Angeles concert. Angelenos love Mehta, who was music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978. Now a world-renowned conductor, he got his start with the IPO 50 years ago when Eugene Ormandy was forced to cancel a performance due to illness. The 25-year-old Mehta stepped in and went on to conduct more than 2,000 concerts spanning five continents as IPO’s music director. In 1981, the IPO made him music director for life. Mehta also served as music director of the New York Philharmonic, with a 13-year tenure, the longest in the orchestra’s history, beginning in 1978.
Tuesday, March 1 at 8 p.m.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Program:
HAYDN: Symphony No. 96 in D major “The Miracle”
MAHLER: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
Festivities:
American Friends of the IPO Gala Pre-concert Reception at Patina
Post-concert Champagne Dessert Reception in the Walt Disney Founder’s Room with Maestro Mehta and members of the IPO
For tickets, call (323) 850-2000 or visit www.laphil.com.