The Cathedral Choir in Concert this Sunday
June23,2006 03:45 PM
If you haven't heard Frank Brownstead and the Cathedral Choir at the downtown Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, you really should. It is a great experience to hear an excellent, inspired choir in our very own Cathedral. I especially like it when Sam the organist cranks it up.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is proud to present The Cathedral Choir with organ and orchestra under the direction of Frank Brownstead, Director of Music; Samuel S. Soria, Cathedral Organist
Evening Prayer and Concert celebrating the 250th Birthday Anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Coronation Mass in C Major, K. 317 and Fantasie in F-minor, K. 608 (organ) Laudate Dominum (from Verperae solennes de confessore), K. 339
Rochelle Martin, Soprano; Melanie Heyn, Alto; D.J. Pick, Tenor; Julian Fielder, Bass; Chamber Orchestra and Organ
Sunday, June 25, 2006; 4:00 p.m.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street (at Grand Avenue) Los Angeles, California 90012
Suggested Donation: $10.00. Secure parking in the Cathedral underground lot: $5.00
For more information call 213-680-5205 or visit the cathedral website at www.olacathedral.org
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is proud to present The Cathedral Choir with organ and orchestra under the direction of Frank Brownstead, Director of Music; Samuel S. Soria, Cathedral Organist
Evening Prayer and Concert celebrating the 250th Birthday Anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Coronation Mass in C Major, K. 317 and Fantasie in F-minor, K. 608 (organ) Laudate Dominum (from Verperae solennes de confessore), K. 339
Rochelle Martin, Soprano; Melanie Heyn, Alto; D.J. Pick, Tenor; Julian Fielder, Bass; Chamber Orchestra and Organ
Sunday, June 25, 2006; 4:00 p.m.
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
555 West Temple Street (at Grand Avenue) Los Angeles, California 90012
Suggested Donation: $10.00. Secure parking in the Cathedral underground lot: $5.00
For more information call 213-680-5205 or visit the cathedral website at www.olacathedral.org
A Chicano Down Under
June23,2006 12:21 PM Filed in: Misa Azteca
No, not under the bus, but down under in Australia. Gonzalez will be conducting the "Gloria" from his Misa Azteca, July 9th, 2006 at none other but the Sydney Opera House [see What's On - SOH Box Office].
The performance of the "Gloria" is one of two featured "massed" performances for the inauguration of Premiering Sydney 2006 - the largest band event in the Southern Hemisphere. Several choirs and orchestral instrumentalists from the US and Australia will join together to perform the "Gloria" in what many consider to be one of the New "Wonders of the World".
from the Premiering Sydney Website:
"The program's other major Australian premiere will be an unusual, but moving version of Gloria, conducted by Joseph Julian Gonzales (sic) from his Misa Azteca. Gonzales is internationally recognized as a highly versatile and award-winning film and television composer with credits ranging from classical to popular music. Gonzales' Misa Azteca is for symphony orchestra, mixed choir and tenor solo and has been performed at prestigious concert theatres, including Carnegie Hall and has been inspired by traditional Aztec instrumentation, which give the work a unique sound."
The performance of the "Gloria" is one of two featured "massed" performances for the inauguration of Premiering Sydney 2006 - the largest band event in the Southern Hemisphere. Several choirs and orchestral instrumentalists from the US and Australia will join together to perform the "Gloria" in what many consider to be one of the New "Wonders of the World".
from the Premiering Sydney Website:
"The program's other major Australian premiere will be an unusual, but moving version of Gloria, conducted by Joseph Julian Gonzales (sic) from his Misa Azteca. Gonzales is internationally recognized as a highly versatile and award-winning film and television composer with credits ranging from classical to popular music. Gonzales' Misa Azteca is for symphony orchestra, mixed choir and tenor solo and has been performed at prestigious concert theatres, including Carnegie Hall and has been inspired by traditional Aztec instrumentation, which give the work a unique sound."
For Some Great Peruvian Music...
June19,2006 08:46 PM
We went to La Villa Peruvian Restaurant (11837 Downey Ave, Downey, CA 90241) and heard Victor Vento and his very entertaining group of musicians. They play musica criolla, or what is also known as Afro-Peruvian music. This music is completely different than the pan-pipe music of El Condor Pasa made popular by Simon and Garfunkle and is a very interesting mix of African rhythms and Spanish music.
The main percussion instrument is the cajón or the box instrument played with your palms while seated upon it (the instrument in the middle). Some of the rhythms are the landó, vals, festejo, panalivio, and the alcatraz; but the queen of the afro-peruvian rhythms is the marinera which is a 3/4 or 6/8 rhythm that has a very striking resemblence to the east-Mexican rhythm known as the huapango. Of course, the link between the two is the obvious African influence. It would be interesting one day for somebody to make a documentary following the African influence of certain rhythms around the world...
Anway if you want to contact this group, click Vento's link above or call the lead singer, Braulio Barrera at 818/419-6907 (Spanish required).
The main percussion instrument is the cajón or the box instrument played with your palms while seated upon it (the instrument in the middle). Some of the rhythms are the landó, vals, festejo, panalivio, and the alcatraz; but the queen of the afro-peruvian rhythms is the marinera which is a 3/4 or 6/8 rhythm that has a very striking resemblence to the east-Mexican rhythm known as the huapango. Of course, the link between the two is the obvious African influence. It would be interesting one day for somebody to make a documentary following the African influence of certain rhythms around the world...
Anway if you want to contact this group, click Vento's link above or call the lead singer, Braulio Barrera at 818/419-6907 (Spanish required).
The Harmonies Are Off To See The World
June17,2006 12:03 PM Filed in: Misa Azteca
I recently started a wonderful relationship with Mstro. Antonio Espinal and his Harmonies Girls Choir when they perfomed my "Sanctus" from Misa Azteca last March with members of the LA Philharmonic. In a couple of days they'll leave for their world tour of Mexico City and Austria and last night they had a special concert of apprectiation for their sponsers.
It was, like always, a beautiful concert with a good mix of repertoir from sacred to folk. They performed my "Sanctus" and will be including it as part of their world tour repertoir.
The girls age from 8 to 18 and have achieved a solid performance ability in their 3 1/2 year existence. They are still soliciting funds. Click here to donate or to buy their Christmas CD
It was, like always, a beautiful concert with a good mix of repertoir from sacred to folk. They performed my "Sanctus" and will be including it as part of their world tour repertoir.
The girls age from 8 to 18 and have achieved a solid performance ability in their 3 1/2 year existence. They are still soliciting funds. Click here to donate or to buy their Christmas CD
My Thoughts on the Opera Grendel
June15,2006 07:33 AM
The wife and I went to hear Elliot Goldenthal's massive operapolooza Grendel last night at the Dorothy Chandler. First of all we were a little bent out of shape that our tickets had to be changed to a Wednesday night from the original Saturday night opener which was cancelled due to computer/mechanical problems or whatever the heck happened. And then we were bumped down from our original seats which weren't that great in the first place to even worse seats. Not only that but the difference in price was "donated" back to the LA Opera.
OK, enough complaining and on to the opera. Grendel is a retelling of the ancient story Beowulf from the monster, Grendel's point of view. I did find the story a little confusing to follow and had to keep peeking at the synopsis to know what was going on even though I read Beowulf many, many years ago in high school. Although the original story was full of chivalry and honor, the story from Grendel's, or rather John Gardner's (the author of the book upon which the opera is based) point of view turns this world inside out. What we end up with is a godless, honorless, existential world where the only redemption the monster finds is killing himself at the end of the opera.
The set design, costumes and direction were out of this world and Goldenthal's composing was solid even though I could see how some might complain that he tends to borrow styles as opposed to clearly having a "Goldenthal" sound. I do believe that he, along with Don Davis, Jeff Beal, John Corigliano, and others are the best evidence to support the idea that some of the best composers alive today are composing for film and television.
OK, enough complaining and on to the opera. Grendel is a retelling of the ancient story Beowulf from the monster, Grendel's point of view. I did find the story a little confusing to follow and had to keep peeking at the synopsis to know what was going on even though I read Beowulf many, many years ago in high school. Although the original story was full of chivalry and honor, the story from Grendel's, or rather John Gardner's (the author of the book upon which the opera is based) point of view turns this world inside out. What we end up with is a godless, honorless, existential world where the only redemption the monster finds is killing himself at the end of the opera.
The set design, costumes and direction were out of this world and Goldenthal's composing was solid even though I could see how some might complain that he tends to borrow styles as opposed to clearly having a "Goldenthal" sound. I do believe that he, along with Don Davis, Jeff Beal, John Corigliano, and others are the best evidence to support the idea that some of the best composers alive today are composing for film and television.
Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads Opens in Texas
June07,2006 09:00 PM Filed in: Los Lonely Boys
The feature documentary Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads will open in select theaters in Southern Texas this weekend. This is a phenomenal documentary by Hector Galan that shows the rise of the hit group, Los Lonely Boys, before their number one hit "Heaven." I composed the dramatic underscore for this film which shows the incredible struggle and somewhat tragic lives of these three brothers as they struggle for stardom and fame, which they ultimately achieve. It is inspiring, thoughtful and a must-see for all musicians and aficionados.
This is the film maker's statement:
“…I heard about a band of three young brothers called Los Lonely Boys from my hometown of San Angelo in West Texas. A few months passed, and I finally got a chance to go see the boys perform at an intimate music venue in Austin called the Saxon Pub. It was at that moment watching them perform an amazing rendition of their song Cottonfields and Crossroads that I felt an immediate connection. I knew I had to tell their story. For a filmmaker, the timing couldn’t have been any better as I was able to capture what became their rise in the American music scene."
This is the film maker's statement:
“…I heard about a band of three young brothers called Los Lonely Boys from my hometown of San Angelo in West Texas. A few months passed, and I finally got a chance to go see the boys perform at an intimate music venue in Austin called the Saxon Pub. It was at that moment watching them perform an amazing rendition of their song Cottonfields and Crossroads that I felt an immediate connection. I knew I had to tell their story. For a filmmaker, the timing couldn’t have been any better as I was able to capture what became their rise in the American music scene."
Simple Music at the Alma Awards
June06,2006 08:49 AM
Last night the Alma Awards, hosted by Eva Longoria, aired on ABC. I was on the music nominating committee and created the music behind the Andy Garcia tribute section - the Anthony Quinn Award. Because of this my wife and I were at the taping of the show at the Shrine Auditorium.
With Emmy-Award Winning Actress Lupe Ontiveros
The producer for this segment, Nancy De Los Santos, wanted afro-cuban percussion music to reflect Andy's love for the music of his beloved Cuba. in fact, she wanted him to play on the recording. Since he couldn't do it, I called my friend and Latin percussion monster, Marcos Reyes, another homeboy from "de Bakers" to do the honors.
Marcos is the percussionists for the group WAR and has played and recorded with everybody from MALO, EL CHICANO to Santana. He had an eight hour layover from San Francisco to Germany on tour with WAR, so I picked him up from the Ontario Airport, we grabbed some instruments from all the many percussion endorsements he has and came over and recorded the segment. It was a very fast recording session but Marcos did a great job as always. BTW, Marcos has been my main Latin percussionists over all these years and has recorded on everything from CURDLED, RESURRECTION BLVD, VISIONES and countless other film and TV scores. I'm glad he's taking off...
With Emmy-Award Winning Actress Lupe Ontiveros
The producer for this segment, Nancy De Los Santos, wanted afro-cuban percussion music to reflect Andy's love for the music of his beloved Cuba. in fact, she wanted him to play on the recording. Since he couldn't do it, I called my friend and Latin percussion monster, Marcos Reyes, another homeboy from "de Bakers" to do the honors.
Marcos is the percussionists for the group WAR and has played and recorded with everybody from MALO, EL CHICANO to Santana. He had an eight hour layover from San Francisco to Germany on tour with WAR, so I picked him up from the Ontario Airport, we grabbed some instruments from all the many percussion endorsements he has and came over and recorded the segment. It was a very fast recording session but Marcos did a great job as always. BTW, Marcos has been my main Latin percussionists over all these years and has recorded on everything from CURDLED, RESURRECTION BLVD, VISIONES and countless other film and TV scores. I'm glad he's taking off...