Calendar of upcoming events outside of CU

Our dearest friends and music and art devotees,
Thank you for making our 3rd season such a success! While we are taking a summer break, we think you can indulge your art thirst at these wonderful and meaningful cultural events.

We also hope that you will be able to attend, or at least to contribute to the Benefit Concert on June 27, which is raising funds for Rex special music education. Most of you met Rex, and heard him play, we wrote his story about him on our website last year - http://classicalunderground.blogspot.com/2009/09/rex-lewis-clack-is-exceptional-14-year.html

* June 6, Sunday - Sonic Fusion Duo
* June 10, Thursday - Timur and The Dime Museum
* June 27, Sunday - Sam McElroy - Benefit concert for Rex Lewis Clark

******
June 6, Sunday @ 7:30 p.m.
Sonic Fusion Duo
Piano and percussion extravaganza
The Herbert Zipper Concert Hall
The Colburn School of Music
200 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90012

Mikael Oganesian - piano
Alexander Singer - percussion

Sonic Fusion Duo is a piano and percussion duet by two outstanding award winning musicians pianist Mikael Oganesian and percussionist Alexander Singer. The Duo arranges and performs classical music ranging from Renaissance motets to contemporary film scores and African beats. While preserving the spirit and composition of the famous classical pieces the duo is adding new dimensions to familiar melodies making them contemporary and edgy. The result is an amazing new world of sounds. Sonic Fusion Duo's electrifying performances have captivated audiences of all types.

This concert you will hear Sonic Fusion Duo's arrangements of:
Bernstein - Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Stravinsky- Rite of Spring
As well as solo performances by both musicians.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students.
They can be purchased at the Duo’s website www.SonicFusionDuo.com or by calling 818-716-70-64 or at Zipper Hall one hour prior to the concert.



June 10, Thursday @ 7 p.m.
Timur and the Dime Museum
Los Angeles Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium
630 W. Fifth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Operatic Vaudeville with a Bohemian Attitude
with Timur Bekbosunov, tenor; Daniel Corral, accordion; Matthew Setzer, guitar; David Tranchina, bass; Brian Walsh, clarinet; with special guests Cassia Streib, viola; Jennifer Lindsay, violin; Mary Au, toy piano and Alex Noice, guitar.

Blending a tenor's haunting vocals with cabaret-inspired reinventions of songs both old and new. Featuring selections by Russian Gypsy songwriter Vadim Kozin from the 1930s to songs by Radiohead, NIN and David Bowie, this eclectic performance will provide the eyes and ears with beautiful and slightly dark entertainment.

$7.00 Admission/Free to Library Associates

Purchase Tickets: http://www.lfla.org/event-detail/492/Timur-The-Dime-Museum
Directions: http://www.lfla.org/about/directions.php
http://www.theoperaoftimur.com/


Sunday, June 27, 2010 @ 6 p.m.
Sam McElroy, baritone. Rex Lewis-Clark Benefit Concert
Hollywood Forever, Masonic Lodge
6000 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Imagine life in total darkness. Imagine life with extreme autism, and the endless restrictions this frightening condition imposes. Then imagine possessing an unfathomable musical genius, an ear so finely tuned it can memorize the great masterpieces on one hearing and reproduce them in minutes with the same hands that can not even fasten a button or tie a shoe lace.

Now meet Rex. Aged 14.

Rex Lewis-Clack does not need to imagine. His mind has been described by CBS's 60 MINUTES as ''an island of genius in a sea of disability''. He IS this extraordinary human being, a rare dichotomy in nature, a living cocktail of the entire gamut of human disability and extraordinary ability. He is one of the world's few living, musical 'savants'.

ALL PROFIT FROM THIS CONCERT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO REX'S EDUCATION TRUST, ADMINISTERED BY CATHLEEN LEWIS.

Sam McElroy, baritone, will sing a benefit recital in Rex's name, accompanied by the russian pianist Anastasia Nemirovich-Danchenko, with a special appearance and performance by Rex himself!

If you can not attend, but would like to make a donation of the ticket price, please do so, with our thanks. If you wish to attend the concert, please RSVP once you have purchased your ticket:
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=1653305

more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=345149726108

May 17 programme

CLASSICAL UNDERGROUND

presents
May 17, 2010
Where Arts Rule

Fine art showcase and classical music showcase with video and audio recordings.

We are most grateful to our supportive friends at Steinway Piano Gallery West Hollywood for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.

Wise comments by music critic Laurence Vittes


Programme


Johannes Brahms, Quartet in g-minor, Op. 25 for Piano, Violin, Viola and Violoncello
3rd Mov. Andante Con Moto
4th Mov. Rondo Alla Zingarese

Yuliya Barsky (piano)
David Chernyavsky (violin)
Jonathan Moerschel (viola)
Natalia Margulis (cello)


Vincenzo Bellini "oh! quante volte" from opera The Capulets and the Montagues

Oxana Senina (soprano)
Anya Ivanova (piano)


Robert Schumann From: Albumblätter op. 124
1. Impromptu
2. Leides Ahnung
3. Scherzino
4. Valse
5. Phantasietanz
6. Wiegenliedchen

Toccata op. 7 in C major

Jura Margulis (piano)


INTERMISSION


Joseph Bodin de Boismortier Sonata in G Major, Opus 50 No 2
Allemande
Gayment
Lentement
Gigue

Armen Ksajikian (cello)
Natalia Margulis (cello)


Two songs by Chopin
Three songs by Vadim Kozin
Autumn
Quiet Day
Friendship

Timur Bekbosunov (tenor)
Eduardo Delgado (piano)


Frederic Chopin Ballade No. 2 Op. 38 in F minor (dedicated to Robert Schumann)
Polonaise Op. 53 in A-flat major (Heroique)

Jura Margulis (piano)

*****

Classical Underground Fine Art Showcase

IGNAT IGNATOV
painter

It is historically a rarest and most exciting experience in the art world to witness the development of a true artistic movement, particularly when it happens in an authentically underground, "unsanctioned" by the official establishment of the day manner. Yet, despite all the tribulations of our moment in time and maybe even because of them, this is exactly what we are fortunate to be part of today and especially here in LA.

Josh, oil 16" X 10"



Moroccan Friends, oil 36" X 24"

It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Ignat, a wonderful friend and one of the most promising "young guns" of the newly vibrant and current figurative realist art in America whose wonderful and thoughtful head studies in particular give a fresh and much-welcomed joy of reveling the act of a true art-making.



Steinway - D Sound of Classical Underground!
www.spghollywood.com

May 17 Classical Underground invitation

Dear friends,

At recent Classical Uunderground nights we have been so rarely fortunate to indulge in the close and intimate experience of some of today's most exciting musical treasures, mixed with some of the most exciting visual talent. Our last Classical Underground "Extra," with a great new friend Simon Trpceski right after his sensational performance at Disney Hall, still exhilarates and inspires.

Now a new great treat awaits us on May 17. Anyone who happened to share the last September concert with us knows what an exciting musical powerhouse our two-generation, longtime friend Jura Margulis really is. Yes, as part of our very special May lineup Classical Uunderground is welcoming back Jura, who comes from his esteemed academic position at the University of Arkansas to spend an evening with us. Part of the internationally storied Margulis musical family, Jura will share the night with his sister, Natalia Margulis, principal cellist with the Madrid Opera Orchestra. We also are very happy to greet our wonderful CU friend, violinist David Chernyavsky, who is coming just for this concert from San Francisco, where he is now with the San Francisco Symphony.

Also featured this evening are: Timur Bekbosunov (tenor), Eduardo Delgado (piano), Yuliya Barsky (piano), Jonathan Moerschel (viola), Oxana Senina (coloratura soprano), Anya Ivanova (piano).

Again we are most grateful to our supportive friends at Steinway Piano Gallery West Hollywood for graciously providing us with their incomparable instrument.

As always - don't forget - it is a potluck party - bring your favorite food and drink!
Your PayPal payment is your reservation to the evening.

Jura Margulis has performed with the Russian National Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl, the Montreal Symphony, the Prague Symphony, and at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and at Martha Argerich's festivals in Lugano, Switzerland and Beppu, Japan. He is Executive Director of the International Piano Academy in Freiburg, Germany, and Professor of Piano at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he swears it is indeed possible to get a fine cup of cappuccino.

Here you can view Jura's performance at CU last September:




Natalia Margulis makes a return visit to CU from Spain, where she is principal cellist of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid. When not accompanying the Madrid Opera, Natasha frequently plays in chamber ensembles throughout Spain and Europe, and has performed at the Verbier and Lugano Festivals.



David Chernyavsky returns to CU from his new gig up north as violinist with the San Francisco Symphony, having also been a member of the LA Philharmonic and The St. Petersburg String Quartet.



Eduardo Delgado, CU favorite, renowned performer of romantic and Argentinian piano repertoire, Prof. at CSUF. Will spend this summer performing in Argentina and Italy.



Timur Bekbosunov, a unique and fascinating tenor, has performed at Disney Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Long Beach Opera.




Founding violist of the famed Calder String Quartet, Jonathan Moerschel made his Boston Symphony Hall solo debut with the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1997 after taking first prize in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Competition.






Yuliya Barsky, a frequent CU performer who elects to collaborate with chamber musicians in groups of two to six when not teaching piano in her studio.






Armen Ksajikian, has performed as principal or soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber, Opus Chamber and Hollywood Bowl orchestras, among others.






Oxana Senina, coloratura soprano, holds two Bachelor of Music degrees in both voice and cello from Chonkushov University and a Master's degree in voice from the Gnessino Academy in Moscow. This is her CU debut.







Anya Ivanova, classically trained pianist has quickly established herself as one of the busiest performers in the Los Angeles musical scene. Her involvement in the life of classical vocalists and theatrical community manifested in her collaboration with musical theater companies, acting studios as well working with seasoned chamber musicians in the Los Angeles area.

Hanging out with a paino star - April 19 Programme

GUEST STAR
Simon Trpčeski - piano
Macedonia



In the program with Finalists and Winners of the Loeb/Louviere International Competition



Mary Au - Chair of the Competition, piano







Xian Zhuo - cello








Pavel Petrov - piano









Xika Huang - violin

alexey steele presents
CLASSICAL UNDERGROUND – EXTRA!!!
Hanging out with a star
April 19, 2010

This “EXTRA” is co-conspired in great collaboration with comrade Laurence Vittes.
Special thanks to Steinway Piano Gallery–West Hollywood for graciously providing their wonderful piano!

PROGRAMME
Introductions by Laurence Vittes

Frederic Chopin - Introduction and Rondo E Flat Major Op.16
Maurice Ravel - Alborada del gracioso

Pavel Petrov – piano

Carlo Alfredo Piatti - Caprice No.3
Jules Massenet – Meditation from Thaïs
Friedrich “Fritz” Kreisler - Chinese Tambourine

Xian Zhuo – cello
Mary Au – piano

Henryk Wieniawski - Original Theme and Variations Op.15

Xika Huang - violin
May Au - piano

*****
GUEST STAR
Simon Trpčeski – piano
Macedonia

Carte Blanche*

***
Intermission
***

Simon Trpčeski – piano

Macedonia

Carte Blanche*

*Includes works by Edvard Grieg, Frederic Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and more…

CU Extra - not to miss April 19 - Hanging out with a piano star!

WE ARE SOLD OUT!

Big thanks to Steinway Paino Gallery - West Hollywood!
Classical Underground Extra features pianist Simon Trpčeski who will be playing at Disney Hall this weekend with Rachmaninoff's magnificent First Concerto with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall this weekend, which we hope you all will attend!

Yet, right after that, we have a unique and exciting chance to hear Simon Trpčeski in the intimate setting at CU where you can hear Simon's less "formal" repertoire and hang out with this fabulous international star of the piano world. He will introduce his recent album with Avie Records as well as have some great surprises for the audience.

As Simon is an enthusiastic supporter of promising “up and coming talent”, we are happy to welcome to the program a number of finalists and winners of a recent Loeb/Louviere International Competition - Xian Zhuo - cello, Pavel Petrov - piano, Xika Huang - violin, with accompanist Mary Au, the Competition Chair.

And … did I mention we have a Steinway this event too?!!!

Well, Steinway – D sound of Classical Underground!
Trpčeski + CU + D = Haven in LA

http://www.trpceski.com/simon/

With the ability to perform a diverse range of repertoire—from Haydn and Chopin to Debussy and Stravinsky—Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski has established himself as one of the most remarkable young musicians to have emerged in recent years, performing with many of the world’s greatest orchestras and captivating audiences worldwide. Mr. Trpčeski is praised not only for his impeccable technique and delicate expression, but also for his warm personality and commitment to strengthening Macedonia’s cultural image. The New York Times’ Anthony Tommasini praises Trpčeski’s dazzling musicianship, saying "He tore through the double- octave outbursts with arm-blurring speed and no sense of strain. Yet in tenderly lyrical moments he caressed the phrases, playing with naturalness, never milking anything."

Mr. Trpčeski has appeared with many of the world’s finest orchestras. In North America, he has performed with the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh and San Francisco Symphony orchestras and the Chicago, Toronto and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, among others. In the United Kingdom, he is a frequent soloist with the London and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras, the Philharmonia and Halle Orchestras and the London Philharmonic. Other engagements with major European ensembles include the Royal Concertgebouw, Russian National and Bolshoi Theatre Orchestras, NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Rotterdam, Strasbourg, Royal Stockholm, Royal Flanders and St. Petersburg Philharmonics. In Asia he has performed with the New Japan, Seoul and Hong Kong Philharmonics. In Australia he has been featured with the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, and has toured with the New Zealand Symphony. Mr. Trpčeski has worked with a prominent list of conductors, including Marin Alsop, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andrew Davis, Gustavo Dudamel, Charles Dutoit, Vladimir Jurowski, Lorin Maazel, Gianandrea Noseda, Antonio Pappano, Vasily Petrenko, Yan Pascal Tortelier and David Zinman.

Simon Trpčeski’s 2009-2010 season features an ambitious schedule of worldwide engagements and projects. March 2010 sees Mr. Trpčeski’s Avie label debut with his first concerto recording of Rachmaninoff’s notoriously challenging Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 with Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In North America, Simon Trpčeski performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dallas and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Houston, Seattle and San Francisco Symphonies. Internationally, Mr. Trpčeski will tour Europe with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Lorin Maazel and with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic under Jaap van Zweden. He begins a Rachmaninoff piano concerto cycle with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and continues the same with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Additional European orchestral appearances include the London Symphony Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Strasbourg Philharmonic and Orchestre National de France. He makes his Cleveland Orchestra debut at the Blossom Music Festival and participates in the festivals at Verbier, Chorégies d'Orange and Aspen.

In December 2009, the President of Macedonia H.E. Gjorge Ivanov honored Simon Trpčeski with the Presidential Order of Merit for Macedonia. This decoration is given to foreign and domestic dignitaries responsible for the affirmation of Macedonia abroad. Upon awarding Mr. Trpčeski with this honor, The President stated “By bringing his artistic talent to classical music halls around the world, Simon Trpceski is among the greatest ambassadors of the Republic of Macedonia, demonstrating to the world that Macedonia is a land of exceptional artists. Through his subtle mission he has confirmed that, although the Republic of Macedonia is geographically small, it is a spiritually and artistically great country, with inexhaustible creativity to offer the cultures of the world.” Mr. Trpceski is the youngest recipient of a medal of any kind in Macedonian history.

A superb recitalist, Simon Trpčeski and has given solo performances in such cultural capitals as New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, Portland, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver in North America; and abroad in London, Tokyo, Paris, Munich, Bilbao, Dublin, Prague, Milan and Hamburg. He has performed on the main stage of the Concertgebouw, as well as at the United Nations headquarters on the occasion of the closing of the sixty-second session of the U.N. General Assembly, at the invitation of the session’s President, H.E. Srgjan Kerim. Simon also performs chamber music as often as he can, having performed at such festivals as Aspen, Verbier and Risor. With the special support of KulturOp—Macedonia’s leading cultural and arts organization—and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Trpčeski works regularly with young musicians in Macedonia in order to cultivate the talent of the country’s next generation of artists.

Simon has received widespread acclaim for his recital recordings on the EMI label. His first recording, released in 2002, featured works by Tchaikovsky, Scriabin, Stravinsky and Prokofiev, and received both the “Editor’s Choice” and “Debut Album” awards at the Gramophone Awards. His 2005 Rachmaninoff and 2007 Chopin discs both received extensive praise from critics. In 2008, he released an all-Debussy disc entitled Debussy: Images, which was equally applauded. London’s Independent on Sunday described Trpčeski’s interpretations as “subtle, clever, imaginative pianism of the very highest quality.”

Born in the Republic of Macedonia in 1979, Simon Trpčeski has won prizes in international piano competitions in the United Kingdom, Italy and the Czech Republic. From 2001 to 2003, he was a member of the BBC New Generation Scheme, and in May 2003, he was honored with the Young Artist Award by the Royal Philharmonic Society. Mr. Trpčeski is a graduate of the School of Music at the University of St. Cyril and St. Methodius in Skopje, where he studied with Professor Boris Romanov. In addition to his international engagements, he currently teaches as a faculty member at his alma mater. Simon Trpčeski makes him home in Skopje with his family.

As always, your RSVP is your PayPal reservation.
We are sold out!

April 12 Programme

alexey steele presents
Classical Underground

Where ARTS meet series

Monday, April 12, 2010

PROGRAMME

we are thanking the Steinway Piano Gallery-West Hollywood
for most graciously providing us with the piano

Frank Campo - Fantasia Autunnale, Op. 82
Jonathon Grasse - Letters from Brazil
RJ, RJ (Rio de Janeiro)
BH, MG (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais)

The Kravchak Morris Duo
Richard Kravchak - oboe/English horn
Scott Morris - guitar

***
P. Vladigerov - Valse Romantique
G. Z. Cherkin - Sevdana
Hristoskov - Rustic Caprice
Moni Simeonov – violin
Pepi Pilibossian – piano

***
Frederick Chopin - Nocturne op. 9 #1
3 Waltzes
Eduardo Delgado – piano

***
Giuseppe Verdi - Dormiro sol nel manto mio regal from "Don Carlos"
Boris Martinovich – bass-baritone
Kanae Matsumoto – piano

***
Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Trumpet Concerto E Major
II:Andante
III: Rondo (Allegro)
Rodion Shchedrin - A la Albeniz
arranged for trumpet and piano by Timofei Dokshitser
Courtney Jones – trumpet
Kanae Matsumoto – piano

***
Four Shakespeare Songs by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
"What shall he have that kill'd the deer"
"O mistress mine"
"Take, o take those lips away"
"Who is Silvia?"
Timur Bekbosunov – tenor
Anastasia Nemirovich-Danchenko – piano

***
Peter Schickele - Autumn Trio (2009)
Mosaic
Intermezzo
Tarantella (La Vache Qui Rit)
The Autumn Trio
Michele Zukovsky – clarinet
Armen Ksajikian – cello
Bryon Pezzone - piano

*****
Classical Underground Showcase

PETER ADAMS
painter

It would be exceptionally hard to find anyone around who did more for the Arts affecting so many great artists of our day than did Peter alone with his incredible wife Elaine in their unparalleled and self-less personal effort of making California Art Club into what it is today. Thank you, Peter from all of us!

Peter Adams - Alberich's Vision (Rhine Maidens) Oil 72" x 48"

Next month with Peter's passion for opera the CAC team is putting up the exhibitions at the LA's landmark Our Lady of The Angels Cathedral and two other venues to be part of LA's Ring Festival celebrating a full Ring Cycle production by our magnificent LA Opera.

Monday, April 12 Program and Performers and new PayPal button

The complete program will be posted on the website shortly (subject to change).
Our event is sold out!

We are excited to feature the following musicians on April 12:



Michelle Zukovsky, frequent soloist and principal clarinetist of the LA Philharmonic






Eduardo Delgado, CU favorite, renowned performer of romantic and Argentinian piano repertoire, Prof. at CSUF




Moni Simeonov, CU favorite, dynamic virtuoso of romantic Bulgarian violin, concertmaster of Reno Philharmonic.





Boris Martinovich, Croatian Bass-Baritone who has appeared in the major opera houses of the U.S. and Europe.





Scott Morris, classical guitarist, winner of numerous awards and competitions, Director of Guitar Studies at CSUDH.






Richard Kravchak, a woodwind soloist, chamber and orchestral musician around the world and Chair of Music Department at CSUDH.






Timur Bekbosunov, a unique and fascinating tenor, has performed at Disney Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Long Beach Opera




Courtney Jones, a bright new trumpet discovery from UCLA pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance and Pedagogy at UCLA. Jones also conducts the UCLA Symphonic Band and recently soloed with the UCLA Marching Band.





Armen Ksajikian, Ksajikian has performed as principal or soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber, Opus Chamber and Hollywood Bowl orchestras, among others.







Kanae Matsumoto, is active as a soloist and a collaborative pianist, having performed many recital halls in Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and the United States.






Pepi Pilibossian, an incredible collaborative pianist, our CU regular, performing rare authentic music.






Bryon A. Pezzone, as a soloist, Bryan has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Pacific Symphony among others.



Anastasia Nemirovich-Danchenko, pianist, accompanist at various festivals in the US and France, regular performer at CU.