JOYCE RUDOLPH
Violin soloist Armen Anassian will concentrate on spring when the
four seasons are interpreted in music by the Pasadena Pops tonight at
Descanso Gardens.
Anassian's first solo of the evening will be during the tango
"Primavera Portena" by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. The
Spanish title translates to "spring in the port city of Buenos
Aires," he said. The tango dance was born in Buenos Aires, and
composer Piazzolla was the "grandpa" of tango music, Anassian said.
Piazzolla wrote the piece to pay homage to Vivaldi, who wrote "The
Four Seasons," the Studio City resident added. The "Spring" portion
of the Vivaldi's piece will be played by the orchestra, featuring
violin prodigy Laura Ha. Piazzolla's piece follows.
Piazzolla's piece is very emotional, Anassian said, which gives
him a chance to say all the things he can say only with the violin.
"That is the greatest thing about music. Sometimes only through
music I can express myself, even though I speak five languages," he
said. "Music is a universal language. And this piece is so dramatic
and full of emotions that it gives the performer a chance to fully
express themselves."
The Armenian-born violinist came to the United States with his
parents when he 15 when Armenia was a republic of the Soviet Union.
He studied music in Europe but returned to Los Angeles in 1992.
He has served in conducting and/or concertmaster positions all
over the world with such noted groups as the Heidelberg Chamber
Orchestra. In Southern California, Anassian has been a soloist with
the California Philharmonic and the Burbank Symphony. He has also
been the guest concertmaster for many symphony orchestras, like the
Glendale Symphony Orchestra. He is a soloist and violinist with the
Los Angeles Opera.
Also on tonight's program is tenor Bruce Eckstut, who will sing
"Younger than Springtime" from the musical "South Pacific."
Orchestral selections will include Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" and the Mamas and Papas' "California Dreamin'." Dancers will
perform a ballet to Copland's "Appalachian Spring."
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for
picnicking. Tickets range from $19 to $65 and can be purchased at the
gate. Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada
Flintridge.
SPECIAL EVENTS
DICK DALE PERFORMS
AT CRUISE NIGHT
Guitar legend Dick Dale is the headliner for the 11th annual city of Glendale Cruise Night from 5:30 to 10:30 tonight on Brand
Boulevard in Glendale.
