Due to a family emergency, we regret that we must cancel the final Classical Underground concert of this season, which had been scheduled for Monday, June 2. Alexey's father, Leonid Steele, has just been scheduled for surgery on June 2nd. We wish Leonid a speedy recovery, and lots of attention from the nurses! And we look forward to seeing you all at CU next fall.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Classical Underground for June 2 cancelled
Classical Underground for June 2 cancelled.
Due to a family emergency, we regret that we must cancel the final Classical Underground concert of this season, which had been scheduled for Monday, June 2. Alexey's father, Leonid Steele, has just been scheduled for surgery on June 2nd. We wish Leonid a speedy recovery, and lots of attention from the nurses! And we look forward to seeing you all at CU next fall.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
April 7th - Music and Art in the Studio
(and Potluck Party)
@ Alexey Steele Grand Atelier @ 8 p.m.
A friend of Brahms said of his Clarinet Trio,
"It is as though the instruments were in love with each other." We can
hear this romance for ourselves as Uriel Vanchestein (clarinet),
Evgeny Tonkha (cello), and Clara Cheng (piano) perform Brahms' Trio in A
minor, op. 114.
We are excited to welcome the distinguished pianist and newly minted UCLA professor Inna Faliks to Los Angeles and Classical Underground, performing Beethoven's rarely heard Fantasy op. 77 (watch a video teaser here: http://vimeo.com/36656346) and Rodion Shchedrin's brawny Basso Ostinato.
Our great friends of CU, violinist Moni Simeonov and pianist Pepi Pilobossian, return to play a movement of the glorious Franck Sonata and some rustic Bulgarian tunes, which he plays with an authentic and irresistible spirit like no else.
Young but already veteran performer Nicholas King continues his CU exploration of Liszt with the titanic Sonata in B minor, one of the touchstones of the virtuoso piano repertoire.

As always - bring your spirits, food and drink for you and your friends to enjoy.
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at
Having spent the last two weeks with my Dad in the hospital made me
appreciate even more so what a fortune it is to have such a true giant
among us. We talked about his days in the famed Repin Academy and about
some key principles that made the school so incredibly strong.
The very particular and specific approach to seeing and comprehending the form that was developed through intense drawing study of the figure allowed its best students a remarkable stylistic versatility in painting evident throughout my Dad's illustrious career.
Those principles are more relevant than ever today as we witness the incredible resurgence, even if still underground, of a serious realism in the contemporary American Art.
It is a unique privilege to be part of such institutional memory.
directions to my "Grand Atelier" studio:
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
February 17th - Music and Arts in the Studio
(and Potluck Party)
With the sudden arrival of 80 degree temperatures, Spring has sprung early in LA, and what better way to celebrate it than with a bit of the Rite of Spring at Classical Underground!
The outstanding piano duo of Danny Holt and Steven Vanhauwaert will perform excerpts from Stravinsky's own 4 hand arrangements of Rite of Spring and Petrushka as well as the first movements of Ginastera's Estancia and Poulenc's four hand piano sonata.
The joyous and surprisingly subtle sound of four saxes in harmony will be on display as the City of Angels Saxophone Quartet performs a Bach fugue and the Glazunov Saxophone Quartet, infused with shades of jazz, Chopin and Schumann as the composer himself once wrote.
Already a veteran performer as he studies for his doctorate at USC, the fine young cellist Michael Kaufman returns to CU with Melody Chang on violin and Brendan White on piano to play the Brahms C Minor Piano Trio. Clarinetist Benjamin Mitchell will also join Michael for "Capriole" by the contemporary Finnish composer Kimmo Hakola.

Last year in his surprise CU debut as a last-minute replacement, pianist Anton Smirnoff received a thunderous ovation for his virtuosic account of the piano solo version of Petrushka. Now we will get to hear his gentler side in Mozart's Fantasia in C Minor, K. 475.
As always - bring your spirits, food and drink for you and your friends to enjoy.
We are sold out!
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at
******
Classical Underground Showcase
Sergio Sanchez
There is so much treasure in our own communities that is fueling and propelling our burgeoning and growing art movement! It is a great pleasure to have as our CU Showcase a distinct contemporary figurative artist, a great friend, and a local San Pedro brother-in-brush Sergio Sanchez.
Sergio is a well-recognized and much loved by his peers part of our awesome LA figurative gang, who is bringing together experiences of LA and his native Mexico. Fusing those experiences with his solid traditional art education as well as his background in illustration, Sergio brings it all together in a volatile and vibrant mix with his well-respected and followed tattoo work, as well as his long fascination with graffiti designs, all of which drives the stylistic and visual choices in his painting.
Sergio's work is always noted at many exhibitions, and it has gained the attention of specialized art magazines as well as media publications. He is currently teaching the crucial subject of head and figure drawing at such southland important art educational hubs as Art Center School of Design (Pasadena, California), Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art (Van Nuys, California), Laguna College of art and design (Laguna Beach, California), and he is a fellow member of the venerable California Art Club.
Way to go, brother!
directions to my "Grand Atelier" studio:
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
RSVP now for Holiday Night Music & Art in the Studio - Dec. 9
Holiday Night
this coming Monday,
December 9 @ 8 p.m.
Dress warm! It is Winter time in the studio!
December 9 @ 8 p.m.
Dress warm! It is Winter time in the studio!
Music &Arts in the Studio
For the holidays, we have a program full of the cheer of good
friends, the warmth of some of our favorite composers' most beautiful
music, and the spice of a new vision combining art and fashion.
Classical Underground regulars and "60 Minutes" viewers are familiar with the wonderful talent of Rex Lewis Clack. We are delighted that Rex will join us to perform a Chopin Nocturne and Rachmaninoff prelude - a little sampler in advance of the big fundraiser that he is performing (with Gabriela Montero) on December 15 at Hollywood Forever to benefit RexandFriends.org. You can read more about it (and see a Science Channel documentary) in a piece written by another dear friend of CU, Sam McElroy, who is one of Rex's teachers: The Genius Next Door.
We
are also happy to present for the first time at CU the rising Trio
Céleste -- artists-in-residence at UC Irvine, and soon to be the Trio of
the Grand Canyon! Consisting of Iryna Krechkovsky on violin, Ross
Gasworth on cello, and Kevin Kwan Loucks on piano, they will perform one
of Dvorak's greatest works, the Dumky Trio.
Adding some vocal sparkle, the gifted prize-winning soprano Jennifer Lindsay will perform a selection of opera arias accompanied on piano by the esteemed Mary Au.
Our great CU favorite Eduardo Delgado will bring Joy to the Steinway keyboard with the beautiful Barcarolle of Chopin, some sunny Scarlatti sonatas, and a tango by his compatriot, Piazzolla.
And
in a Classical Underground first, we will experience the collision of
fashion and art as designed by Victor Wilde for his unique sartorial
conception, The Bohemian Society. As
we suggest each year, it would be a lovely gesture if you could bring
an unwrapped toy to place under our Christmas tree; the good souls of
the next door church will see to it that these gifts give some cheer to
local children who aren't living in the merriest of circumstances.
Classical Underground regulars and "60 Minutes" viewers are familiar with the wonderful talent of Rex Lewis Clack. We are delighted that Rex will join us to perform a Chopin Nocturne and Rachmaninoff prelude - a little sampler in advance of the big fundraiser that he is performing (with Gabriela Montero) on December 15 at Hollywood Forever to benefit RexandFriends.org. You can read more about it (and see a Science Channel documentary) in a piece written by another dear friend of CU, Sam McElroy, who is one of Rex's teachers: The Genius Next Door.
Adding some vocal sparkle, the gifted prize-winning soprano Jennifer Lindsay will perform a selection of opera arias accompanied on piano by the esteemed Mary Au.
Our great CU favorite Eduardo Delgado will bring Joy to the Steinway keyboard with the beautiful Barcarolle of Chopin, some sunny Scarlatti sonatas, and a tango by his compatriot, Piazzolla.
Please RSVP via Paypal on the top of the post
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at
******
Classical Underground Showcase
Scott Burdick
One of the defining features in the resurgent contemporary realist movement in America - or what I call NOVOREALISM - is a remarkable camaraderie among its leading members.
A perfect representation of this uplifting bond is a painting by a great living master and friend, Scott Burdick. It depicts another great contemporary painter and comrade, NOVOREALIST Tony Pro, as well as a distinct artist and important LA art teacher Vadim Zang - both friends of CU and themselves subjects of our showcases. If that is not enough, the painting depicts the most incredible bi-coastal get together of our art gang right in my studio while we all painted another great contemporary painter and friend, Jeremy Lipking, as our model. As deeply personal as Art is, it is still a collective life form - it is born in solitude, but grows in a pack!
It is a distinct pleasure and privilege to welcome as our CU Artist Showcase Scott Burdick, a true artist of strength and reason, just as outspoken in his views as he is tenacious with his brush. Art figures like Scott are what make this stage in the development of contemporary visual art such an exciting place.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Accepting the reservations for October 21st - we are sold out!
Dear friends,
We are sold out for tonight!
To the lucky attendees - this is a reminder that we open the doors at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. This is a potluck event - please bring the foods and drinks you would enjoy and share with your old and new friends!
For the directions, please read the posting below. See you tonight!
We are sold out for tonight!
To the lucky attendees - this is a reminder that we open the doors at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. This is a potluck event - please bring the foods and drinks you would enjoy and share with your old and new friends!
For the directions, please read the posting below. See you tonight!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Opening Season - October 21st - Program Announcement
For our first program of the new season, we welcome two interesting and accomplished newcomers to Classical Underground, along with some exceptionally talented CU regulars.
Uriel Vanchestein is a composer, conductor and outstanding clarinetist (and already a veteran of the wonderful Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland). Alex Slobodyanik, whose debut recroding with EMI Classic made rave reviews, has performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Wigmore Hall in London, New York's Lincoln Center and the Carnegie Hall, to name a few. Uriel will perform one of his own works with the fine cellist Evgenny Tonkha, and these two will join Alex for the delightful Clarinet Trio of young Beethoven. Going solo, Alex will play a selection of Rachmaninoff Preludes.
Evgenny Tonkha will also play the Chaconne of Vitali, with Diana Volman on piano. We are also fortunate to have two local orchestra stars, cellist Armen Ksajikian (of the LA Chamber Orchestra), and violinist Radu Pieptea (of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and New West Symphony) returning to CU and joining forces for some Handel, Gliere, Sousa (minus the tubas!) and more. And CU super-virtuoso Harout Senekeremian will tackle the Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata #2.
Please RSVP via Paypal in the post above.
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at Steinway Piano Gallery West Hollywood for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.
******
With the remarkable advances during the last fifty years of feminist causes and changes within society, we see an incredible and perhaps historically unparalleled outburst of women's creative and productive force within every area of human endeavor, particularly in visual ART.
One of the leading and inspiring voices within the world of Classical Visual Art is Juliette Aristides. A prominent painter of evocative work, she possesses a rare form of passionate intelligence, and is the influential, intellectually probing author of four important books on traditional studio practice and classical drawing. A prominent ART educator, she is one of the leading advocates of a growing Atelier movement that is filling the void left by the inability of most accredited academic institutions to provide young talents with a choice of ART education based on the classical tradition. She was an original member of the Water Street Atelier and currently teaches at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art, where she founded the award winning Classical Atelier Program.
It is our honor and privilege to showcase this remarkable woman - artist and friend.
****
Uriel Vanchestein is a composer, conductor and outstanding clarinetist (and already a veteran of the wonderful Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland). Alex Slobodyanik, whose debut recroding with EMI Classic made rave reviews, has performed at the Royal Festival Hall and the Wigmore Hall in London, New York's Lincoln Center and the Carnegie Hall, to name a few. Uriel will perform one of his own works with the fine cellist Evgenny Tonkha, and these two will join Alex for the delightful Clarinet Trio of young Beethoven. Going solo, Alex will play a selection of Rachmaninoff Preludes.
Evgenny Tonkha will also play the Chaconne of Vitali, with Diana Volman on piano. We are also fortunate to have two local orchestra stars, cellist Armen Ksajikian (of the LA Chamber Orchestra), and violinist Radu Pieptea (of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and New West Symphony) returning to CU and joining forces for some Handel, Gliere, Sousa (minus the tubas!) and more. And CU super-virtuoso Harout Senekeremian will tackle the Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata #2.
Please RSVP via Paypal in the post above.
******
We are most grateful to our supportive friends at Steinway Piano Gallery West Hollywood for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.
******
Classical Underground Showcase:
Juliette Aristides
With the remarkable advances during the last fifty years of feminist causes and changes within society, we see an incredible and perhaps historically unparalleled outburst of women's creative and productive force within every area of human endeavor, particularly in visual ART.
One of the leading and inspiring voices within the world of Classical Visual Art is Juliette Aristides. A prominent painter of evocative work, she possesses a rare form of passionate intelligence, and is the influential, intellectually probing author of four important books on traditional studio practice and classical drawing. A prominent ART educator, she is one of the leading advocates of a growing Atelier movement that is filling the void left by the inability of most accredited academic institutions to provide young talents with a choice of ART education based on the classical tradition. She was an original member of the Water Street Atelier and currently teaches at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art, where she founded the award winning Classical Atelier Program.
It is our honor and privilege to showcase this remarkable woman - artist and friend.
****
please
remember, this is a private party, not a public event
directions to my "Grand Atelier"
studio:
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
DO NOT use google maps - as they give you the wrong
location!!!
please note that for convenience of cars not passing by while you are hanging outside, you will be entering from the first gate of the property on your left immediately before the building with columns begins, not second gate as before, then proceed to the big parking lot and walk into our building in the corner of Torrance and Main.
405 South to the Harbor 110 South towards San Pedro; Exit Torrance Blvd., Turn Left at the Stop sign; Turn Left on Torrance Blvd /next light/; Continue pass Figueroa Ave, pass Carson Town Center North; 200 yards before next light /which is Main street/ make Left into a driveway to a large parking lot and proceed to your right. Please note that the gate next to CU will be closed for safety. The entrance is from the parking lot. The building is on the corer of Main and Torrance. 20795 Main St. Carson, Ca 90745
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
A Hot New Season after a Hot Summer at CU
Opening Season
Music & Art + potluck party
Music & Art + potluck party
We are happy to
announce our new
Hot Season after a Hot
Summer
Save the date!
Monday, October 21,
2013
Look for the email invitation next week, or check back our website
Please also check
your bulk folder, as many of you reported that you are not getting our emails.
We email everyone on the list!

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