Buck Wargo
DOWNTOWN -- A concert intended to introduce children to classical
music will also serve as a tribute to the creator of the "Peanuts" comic
strip, Charles Schulz.
The 35-member chamber orchestra will be at The Alex Theatre on Sunday
to perform music inspired by such "Peanuts" characters as Snoopy, Linus,
Schroeder and Lucy. It's part of a family concert series, but the death
of Schulz on Saturday gives the concert special meaning.
The orchestra's music director Jeffrey Kahane serves as music director
of the Santa Rosa Symphony where Schultz lived, and the two became
friends, said Ruth Eliel, the group's executive director.
"Charles Schulz did something that was part of our popular culture,
and he was a serious devotee of classical music," Eliel said. "It comes
into play with the 'Peanuts' characters with the piano, Beethoven and
talk of music."
None of the music to be performed Sunday was performed on "Peanuts"
cartoon programs. The works were composed by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, a 1983
Pulitzer Prize winner in music, who developed the music called "Peanuts
Gallery" as part of a family concert series at Carnegie Hall.
Schulz drew comic strips recognizing Zwilich's work in 1990 and she
drew on his characters when developing the composition in 1997.
"It is meant to introduce children to classical music," said orchestra
spokeswoman Betty Jo Wright. "Both adults and children love the 'Peanuts'
cartoon strip. The music really represented with Charles Schulz felt
about the strip and the characters. She portrayed the feeling of each of
those characters."
The concert will differ from most classical performances that last
about two hours. The "Peanuts Gallery" is one hour long and there will be
a question-and-answer period to educate people about about classical
music, Eliel said.
"We want to get young people interested in music and allow them to
understand it on terms that that are theirs," Eliel said.
The compositions include "Schroeder's Beethoven Fantasy," "Lullaby for
Linus," "Snoopy Does the Samba," "Lucy Freaks Out," and "Charlie Brown's
Lament."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Family concert of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
THEME: Compositions honoring "Peanuts" characters of comic strip
creator Charles Schulz.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Alex Theatre.
COST: Adults, $30, $25 and $20 tickets. Children under 16, $15, $12.50
and $10.
FOR TICKETS: Call (213) 622-7001, ext. 215.
