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View Winners → Cal Phil Gets Ready for Summer Concert Series at Santa Anita
Arcadia Weekly Jun 09, 2015
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The huge musicians’ dome was erected Monday in preparation for the upcoming summer music program at Santa Anita. Cal Phil’s Mastero Victor Vener will open the series June 27. – Photo by Terry Miller
First Concert will Feature ‘Beatlemania Now’
By Terry Miller
With just a few weeks to go before opening night on June 27, a crane and workers were finalizing positioning of the massive Hollywood Bowl-type dome Monday evening at Santa Anita’s infield.
The dome will be home to the California Philharmonic’s award winning orchestra and Maestro Victor Vener through August 22 when they perform the final concert of the season, “Postcards from Abroad.”
The opening concert will surely be a classic, combining revolutionary music from two prolific eras. Adding to the excitement this year, California Philharmonic welcomes special guest Beatlemania Now, the “best tribute band on the planet,” to the stage. Concert-goers will delight as the spontaneous dance rhythms of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony pair perfectly with Beatles’ hits including “Penny Lane,” “Sgt. Pepper,” “Hey, Jude” and more.
The San Gabriel Mountains come alive on Saturday July 11 when California Philharmonic presents “Rodgers & Hammerstein & More” with one of today’s top voices, Anthony Fedorov, who captivated audiences as a season four finalist on American Idol, and Jennifer Paz, star of Les Miz’ 10th anniversary on Broadway and the national tour of Miss Saigon. They will perform songs from The Sound of Music, South Pacific and Cinderella. The concert also includes Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” and highlights from classic film scores.
Expect the unexpected on Saturday July 25 during California Philharmonic’s third concert of the season, when Phantom/Les Miz. Broadway sensations Tracy Miller Schell and Darren Ritchie join the orchestra and the Cal Phil Chorale in haunting performances of highlights from Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. Berlioz’ electrifying “Symphonie Fantastique” and Fauré’s heavenly “Requiem” round out the show.
California Philharmonic’s blockbuster season continues on Saturday August 8 with “Lights, Camera, Action!” Prepare to hold on as Maestro Vener and his orchestra take the audience on a wild ride while performing some of the powerful pieces that made Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and Psycho Hollywood classics. The concert also includes Korngold’s romantic “Violin Concerto,” featuring violin virtuoso and California Philharmonic Concert Master Armen Anassian, as well as the thrilling finale of Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony. Concert-goers will also be treated to the world premiere of California Philharmonic Composer-In-Residence Roger Allen Ward’s “2nd Symphony.”
The season finale, “Postcards From Abroad,” takes place on Saturday August 22. Packed with riveting entertainment and awe-inspiring performances; concert-goers will be travel to Europe with Capriccio Espagnol and Il Postino, rediscover the rhythms of New York City with Gershwin’s 2nd Rhapsody featuring consummate pianist Bryan Rezone, and explore Kenya with Out Of Africa. Music lovers will also be transported to the fantastical worlds of The Hobbit and Harry Potter.
“California Philharmonic is thrilled to announce a fresh, immensely entertaining and enlightening program for the 2015 summer season,” said Vener. “We have an exciting line-up, world class musicians and many phenomenal special guests that we are welcoming on the California Philharmonic stage for the first time. I look forward to experiencing another summer full of new, unforgettable and uniquely California Philharmonic memories – and am honored to do so with the best audiences in the Southland.”
A California Philharmonic show is more than just a concert, it is an experience. Saturdays are always right on track with concerts at Santa Anita Race Track. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. to pre-concert dining including delicious gourmet food offerings available on-site, full bars and live jazz. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Table and lawn seating on the lush green grass of Santa Anita Race Track’s infield are available, complete with the area’s best unobstructed view of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains.
The California Philharmonic is supported by the California Philharmonic Society, a non-profit community benefit organization whose main emphasis at this time is to support the California Philharmonic.
To purchase tickets to attend the incomparable Victor Vener and his California Philharmonic concerts at Santa Anita Race Track, call (626) 304-0333 or www.calphil.com.
