Southern California music lovers have one more opportunity to experience the magic of Maestro Victor Vener and his world-class orchestra this weekend during the California Philharmonic 2015 summer season finale, Postcards From Abroad. The highly-anticipated concert, which is packed with riveting entertainment and awe-inspiring performances, takes place on Saturday August 22 at Santa Anita Race Track.
pianist Bryan Pezzone
Concert-goers will travel to Europe with Capriccio Espagnol and Il Postino, rediscover the rhythms of New York City with Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody, featuring fan favorite and consummate pianist Bryan Pezzone, and explore Kenya with Out Of Africa.
“While I have performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue many times, this is my maiden voyage playing the Second Rhapsody,” said Pezzone who has been channeling Gershwin to prepare for what is guaranteed to be an enthralling performance. “You can almost hear Gershwin longing for New York.” And unlike its predecessor, Pezzone continued, “the Second Rhapsody was very carefully constructed – complex, rich but with accessible orchestration, plus it’s filled with the kind of great tunes and catchy rhythms only Gershwin could write.”
The Second Rhapsody, long considered Gershwin’s least famous concert work, has gained in popularity recently, with musicians and audiences embracing it wholeheartedly. Gershwin himself regarded it as a milestone achievement, he himself shared his pride in it, stating “In many respects, such as orchestration and form, it is the best thing I have written.”
And for something a little more out-of-this-world, audiences will also be transported to the fantastical worlds of The Hobbit and Harry Potter.
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 5:30pm to pre-concert dining including food trucks available on-site, full bars and live jazz. Concerts begin at 7:30pm. 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 Philharmonia 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.