Most of the time, we're drawn to a concert or stage event because of the musical work, a known performer, or even the building itself. (We certainly have a few architectural stars in our neck of the woods.) One element often missing from concert descriptions and flyers, however, is a subjective description of the actual music on the program, much less the overall experience anticipated by the presenters. This is by design, as people are often discouraged from either making claims about the upcoming performance, lest it be less exalted than hoped for, or from overusing words such as "beautiful" and "amazing", no matter how apt they may be. However, this week includes a few choice examples of programs which have obviously grown out of a pure and genuine love for the planned repertoire.
Take Sunday's concert in the Palisades, for instance: music director and organist JAMES VAIL pairs
Durufle's Requiem with Poulenc's Organ Concerto in a program entitled '
Two Beautiful Works from Mid-Twentieth Century France'. They lay their cards on the table, knowing that the music will speak for itself. The concert, with string and wind ensemble led by NICK STRIMPLE, is free, and details are available by clicking
here.
In Lake Forest (OC), the FESTIVAL SINGERS offer their '
Serenade to Music', unabashedly wearing their proverbial (musical) hearts on their sleeves and singing their hearts out. Led by director GARY TOOPS, this usually classical-oriented troupe wends their way into cabaret, where this sort of enthusiasm is, perhaps, more common. Information can be had by clicking
here.
Do lawyers get excited about the arts? You betcha! '
Legal Voices in Concert' comes to Hollywood on Sunday night, cutting loose with a diverse program (Fauré, The Music Man, spirituals, the Beatles, and more) featuring its
100-voice chorus and a lengthy list of local solo talent, including ELYSE COOK, ERIC CASTRO, JEFFREY DUNN, MICHELLE TAYLOR... and several more. For the complete list, program and ticket information, click
here.
Many more passionate programs are on the calendar: you'll have to take a look (perhaps looking past the occasional layer of surface PR) to find one that speaks to you. As always, thank you for supporting live singing!
