-Photos by Terry Miller
California Philharmonic Principal cellist Dennis Karmazyn and his emerging violin virtuoso son, 20-year-old Max Karmazyn, met a milestone in both their professional and personal relationship Saturday at Cal Phil’s season opener at Santa Anita’s infield.
Though Dennis has been with the acclaimed orchestra for seven seasons and Max for three, their performance during the 2014 season opener marks the first time the talented duo were featured artists together during a Cal Phil concert.
The concert, titled John Williams and Friends, featured the Karmazyns who captivated audiences with a performance of the Theme from Schindler’s List, in special arrangement for cello and violin, created especially by Max for himself and his father. The Karmazyns also performed the finale from Brahms’ Double Concerto, which drew a standing ovation.
“We love performing together. There is an inherent musical connection between father and son that you just don’t get performing with anyone else,” said Dennis, also the Principal Cello in Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, who has recorded for over 1,500 film scores and is recognized internationally as a renowned soloist and chamber artist with Columbia Artists’ Management. “Our primary focus is playing beautiful music. This has been the dynamic since Maxwell first began playing the violin at age 15 and we are thrilled to share this special moment with California Philharmonic and its loyal audiences.”
Max, who attends college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor pursuing a double major in Violin Performance and Composition.
Cal Phil’s next performance is slated for July 12.
