Paul Chihara News

One of Russia's most formidable pianists, Alexander Romanovsky, makes his Pacific Symphony debut in a thrilling performance of Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto, one of the most technically demanding piano concertos in the repertoire. Declared the latest pianist to be hailed as the true heir to the great Russian tradition by The Guardian, Romanovsky, according to Gramophone, can produce the thunderous sound and sharp-edged, ringing bass that sends a tingle down the spine. Rounding out the program is Brahms' Third Symphony, its tranquil beauty contrasting with Prokofiev's tour de force, plus, a newer, uplifting work makes its West Coast premiere Wild Wood, by living composer Paul Chihara.

With the launch of its 2017-18 season this fall, the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy (NWS), led by Co-Founder and Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT), celebrates 30 years as the nation's most innovative training ground for the next generation of classical musicians, preparing its resident Fellows for professional careers through an experiential curriculum of hands-on training, live performance, and audience interaction.

With an eye towards 2020, the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, award-winning pianist Yael Weiss has embarked upon 'A Beethoven Odyssey,' a project that combines the complete set of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas with newly commissioned compositions related to them.

The Temple University Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band, under the baton of its recently appointed 

Music Director Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony announce the 2017-18 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series and special events.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra today announces programming for its 45th season, with four concerts in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. Orpheus is joined by world-renowned soloists including pianist Andre Watts; Norwegian cellist Truls Mork in his first appearance with Orpheus; classical trumpet soloist Tine Thing Helseth in her Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage debut; and violinist Lisa Batiashvili in her first appearance with Orpheus.

Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey presents The Ahn Trio plays Bowie and Beyond, Sponsored by The Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation-Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 8PM. Purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or Box Office at 201.227.1030. 

have been and where we are going? Or how certain kinds of music fit into this diverse universe of sound? These are some of the important questions that music raises, and each year, Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, attempts to shed light on the answers by exploring a different facet of American music through the American Composers Festival (ACF). This year's ACF spotlights organ music through four highly acclaimed organists and the splendor of the king of instruments-in this case, the one-of-a-kind William J. Gillespie Concert Organ, located in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Built from steel, tin, oak, poplar, maple, lead and carbon fiber, the astounding instrument found in the Symphony's concert hall required three years and 42,000 hours of labor by a team of organ builders at C.B Fisk in Gloucester, Mass., before making its debut with Pacific Symphony in 2008.

have been and where we are going? Or how certain kinds of music fit into this diverse universe of sound? These are some of the important questions that music raises, and each year, Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, attempts to shed light on the answers by exploring a different facet of American music through the American Composers Festival (ACF). This year's ACF spotlights organ music through four highly acclaimed organists and the splendor of the king of instruments—in this case, the one-of-a-kind William J. Gillespie Concert Organ, located in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Built from steel, tin, oak, poplar, maple, lead and carbon fiber, the astounding instrument found in the Symphony's concert hall required three years and 42,000 hours of labor by a team of organ builders at C.B Fisk in Gloucester, Mass., before making its debut with Pacific Symphony in 2008.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra recently announced its 43rd season at Carnegie Hall, opening with a premiere by Wolfgang Rihm performed with soloists Jan Vogler and Mira Wang tonight, October 15, and closing with Pinchas Zukerman on March 19.

The New York Philharmonic will present the third season of THE ART OF THE SCORE: Film Week at the Philharmonic September 18-21, 2015, featuring two complete Academy Award-winning films screened with live performances of their acclaimed scores: On the Waterfront and The Godfather.

The New York Philharmonic will present the third season of THE ART OF THE SCORE: Film Week at the Philharmonic September 18-21, 2015, featuring two complete Academy Award-winning films screened with live performances of their acclaimed scores: On the Waterfront and The Godfather.

In its fourth consecutive summer with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performs works by Haydn, Wagner, and Beethoven tonight, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, located south of the 72nd Street cross-drive in Manhattan. 

In its fourth consecutive summer with the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performs works by Haydn, Wagner, and Beethoven on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, located south of the 72nd Street cross-drive in Manhattan. 

One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

New York Arts Executive Jean Davidson, who has been affiliated with some of the country's most innovative and successful arts organizations, has been named President & CEO of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), the nation's largest professional chorus and Walt Disney Concert Hall resident chorus led by Artistic Director Grant Gershon and heralded around the globe for its unparalleled artistry, announces LAMC Chair David Gindler. She assumes the post on August 31, 2015. Davidson has served since 2011 as Executive Director & CEO of New York Live Arts, an internationally acclaimed interdisciplinary performing arts center under the artistic direction of Bill T. Jones. Guiding its phenomenal growth and success since its inception, she was instrumental in leading the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company through its merger with Dance Theater Workshop to create New York Live Arts, a new model of artist-led, producing and presenting arts organization unique in the United States. Today New York Live Arts, noted for commissioning cutting-edge new works, its vibrant community partnerships and as home base for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, presents more than 100 performances annually in its theater and studios inside its 20,000-square-foot facility in Chelsea, operating with a $5.8 million budget. Davidson is cited for her forward-thinking management style, fostering artistic innovation, developing and expanding creative partnerships with disparate educational and cultural organizations, and overseeing tremendous revenue development and programmatic growth. She previously served as Executive Director of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in New York City for six years prior to the merger, when the company launched two successful initiatives entitled Partners in Creation and Partners in Education; Managing Director of The Silk Road Project, Inc., a non-profit arts and cultural organization founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma which during her tenure commissioned 25 chamber works, launched a worldwide tour, released three recordings; and Production Administrator for the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Davidson replaces LAMC President & CEO Terry Knowles, who steps down at the end of the season following a tremendously successful 15-year tenure with the chorus, during which time the Chorale experienced unsurpassed financial and artistic growth, toured around the world to critical acclaim, released six commercial CDs, created a recording partnership with Decca Classics, and twice received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming as well as Chorus America's prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the nation's highest choral music award. Davidson's appointment comes at a critical time in the Chorale's history, as it is poised to launch its 52nd season and a new period of strategic growth. The national executive search for Knowles' successor was led by Arts Consulting Group, the leading provider of executive search and other services for the arts and culture industry.

Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Musiqa, winner of the 2013 Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, presents a free loft concert, Pretty/Dirty, at the Contemporary Arts Museum tonight, May 7 at 7:30 PM. The

Musiqa, winner of the 2013 Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, presents a free loft concert, Pretty/Dirty, at the Contemporary Arts Museum on May 7 at 7:30 PM. The

The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) -- heralded around the globe for its unparalleled artistry and wide-ranging repertoire - announces its 2015|16 Season, its 52nd, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Acclaimed Kiki & David Gindler Artistic Director Grant Gershon, "a first-rate conductor" (Opera News) who marks his 15th season at the choir's helm, conducts 10 programs shaped by his keen creative vision, 5 of which are repeated, for a total of 15 performances at Disney Hall. The innovative season features numerous world, US and West Coast premieres as well as semi-staged and multi-media concerts designed to provide an immersive experience.