Yo-Yo Ma and Dianne Reeves Join in the Celebrations
Thursday, October 23; Friday, October 24; and Saturday, October 25, 2003
May 10, 2003 -- The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association preludes its 2003/2004 inaugural season at Walt Disney Concert Hall with three distinctively different gala evenings. These unique galas, taking place on three consecutive evenings, celebrate the many facets of the orchestra, the building, and Los Angeles. The three galas presented by the Association during the opening week are: Sonic LA on Thursday, October 23, a sonic progression highlighting some of the world's favorite works throughout the ages; Living LA on Friday, October 24, featuring music from the 20th and 21st centuries' greatest composers; and Soundstage LA on Saturday, October 25, bringing to life the creative heart of Los Angeles, featuring music from and inspired by Hollywood.
Gala proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and Music Matters, Keeping Music Alive in L.A. Tickets to the opening gala evenings can be reserved by calling 213.972.8078.
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL GALA THEMES
Prior to each gala concert, attendees enjoy a reception throughout the hall and its lush gardens. Pre-concert receptions begin at 6 p.m. on each of the three gala evenings, followed by the concerts at 7 p.m. Then, immediately following the concerts, gala attendees receive VIP treatment with inventive cuisine, cocktails, music, dancing and more with each night featuring a unique after-concert experience.
Sonic LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, October 23, 2004 redefines the concert experience, as works from throughout the ages highlight the acoustics of the hall, from a solo voice to the full symphony orchestra. Works featured on this evening include The Star-Spangled Banner (Dianne Reeves), Ives' The Unanswered Question, Gabrieli's Canzon septimi toni No. 2; Ligeti's Lux Aeterna; Haydn's famed Symphony No. 103, "Drumroll;" and conclude with the Los Angeles Philharmonic's signature piece, Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.
The post-concert festivities of this black-tie Sonic LA evening at the Philharmonic includes dinner by acclaimed chef Joachim Splichal of Patina catering, dancing to the dynamic music of Pink Martini, and a celebratory spectacle featuring light displays and fireworks.
Living LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday, October 24, 2004 focuses on repertoire from 20th and 21st century composers. The highlights of the concert performance on the Living LA gala evening include the world premiere of John Adams' The Dharma at Big Sur - a piece co-commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Philharmonic Society of Orange County, as well as LA Variations, composed and conducted by Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen. Also on the concert is Lutoslawski's Cello Concerto, with Yo-Yo Ma as soloist, and Revueltas' Latin romp, the highly praised Sensemayá.
Salonen says of the Living LA evening, "The music featured in this performance reflects on our being here in the city of Los Angeles at this point in time, and each work has a personal significance for me through the course of my own life and relationships. Early on, an important influence on me was Lutoslawski and this piece performed by Yo-Yo Ma really demonstrates his mastery of musical form and psychology. My fellow composers, such as my good friend John Adams, have been a source of inspiration and insight, and I'm thrilled that we can present the world premiere of The Dharma at Big Sur, a work with California themes. Of course, LA Variations is about this great city. Revueltas is perhaps the most important composer of our great neighbor Mexico and this orchestral showpiece is a rousing way to end any program."
This evening's concert is followed by hors d'ouevres, cocktails, music, and dancing with unexpected celebrations at every twist and curve throughout the hall and gardens.
In the final gala on Saturday, October 25, Soundstage LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic turns to its home city, celebrating Hollywood not as a geographic location but as a creative state of mind. The rich history of symphonic music in cinema includes greats from the past and present, including a world premiere of a piece by composer/conductor John Williams. Williams and Salonen share the podium for this evening. Special guest artists will be announced at a later date.
The black-tie Soundstage LA concert is followed by dinner created by Joachim Splichal, dancing to the sounds of the Henry Mancini Institute Big Band, and a "fireworks spectacular" featuring lights, cameras, and plenty of action.
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL GALA COMMITTEE
The Gala committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Inaugural Galas at Walt Disney Concert Hall includes: Ginny Mancini, chair; Helen Bing; Jennifer Diener; Lenore S. Greenberg; Carol Henry; Joan Hotchkis; Nancy Olson Livingston; Joni J. Smith; and Liane Weintraub.
Gala committee chair Ginny Mancini says of her position for the upcoming Walt Disney Concert Hall galas, "As a native Angeleno when downtown Los Angeles was all there was, I am particularly excited to be a part of the festivities attendant to the opening galas of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Now downtown is definitely 'uptown.' "
Executive Producers of the Gala Festivities, Baruch/Gayton Productions.
Party Design by Special Occasions. Floral Designs by Marks Garden.
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL GALA DETAILS
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, 7 PM
Sonic LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Dianne Reeves, vocals
Martin Chalifour, violin
Los Angeles Master Chorale
SMITH/KEY: The Star-Spangled Banner (for solo voice)
IVES: The Unanswered Question
BACH: Preludio from Partita No. 3, BWV 1006, for solo violin
GABRIELI: Canzon septimi toni No. 2
LIGETI: Lux Aeterna
HAYDN: Symphony No. 103, "Drumroll"
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring
6 PM Pre-concert reception throughout the hall and gardens
7 PM Concert, followed by dinner created by Joachim Splichal of Patina Catering, dancing to music of Pink Martini, and a celebratory spectacle featuring light displays and fireworks. (Black-tie)
Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, 7 PM
Living LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Tracy Silverman, electric violin
SALONEN: LA Variations
LUTOSLAWSKI: Cello Concerto
ADAMS: The Dharma at Big Sur (world premiere; LAP and Philharmonic Society of Orange County co-commission)
REVUELTAS: Sensemayá
6 PM Pre-concert reception throughout the hall and gardens
7 PM Concert, followed by hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, music, and dancing with unexpected celebrations at every twist and curve throughout the hall and gardens. (L.A. chic attire)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, 7 PM
Soundstage LA: An Inaugural Gala for Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
John Williams, conductor
WILLIAMS: New work (world premiere; LAP commission)
Soundstage LA celebrates the creativity of Hollywood with some of film's greatest musical moments. Program details to be announced at a later date.
6 PM Pre-concert reception throughout the hall and gardens
7PM Concert, followed by dinner created by Joachim Splichal of Patina Catering and dancing to the sounds of the Henry Mancini Institute Big Band, and a fireworks spectacular featuring lights, cameras, and plenty of action. (Black-tie)
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Elizabeth Hinckley, 213.972.3034