AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY

AMERICAN YOUTH SYMPHONY

Press Release: American Youth Symphony to give U.S. Premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Ricordanza

Press Release: American Youth Symphony to perform us premiere of richard danielpour's ricordanza

Program also includes Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal and Stauss’ An Alpine Symphony

April 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm at UCLA’s Royce Hall

Tickets: FREE for AYS Members, $5 General Admission

Please visit www.AYSymphony.org to reserve tickets

(March 4, 2020 Los Angeles, CA) The American Youth Symphony (AYS), led by Music Director Carlos Izcaray, continues its commitment to new works with the U.S. premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Ricordanza on Saturday, April 4, 2020 7:00 p.m. at UCLA’s Royce Hall. The program, which is part of AYS’ season-long “Celebration of Nature,” also includes Samuel Barber’s Overture to The School for Scandal, and Richard Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony.

Award-winning composer Richard Danielpour has established himself as one of the most sought after composers of his generation. Ricordanza, co-commissioned by AYS and the Russian String Orchestra, is set to the poem “Se Questo e’ un Uomo (Consider If This Is A Man)” by Holocaust survivor Primo Levi, and will feature baritone Vladimir Chernov. This concert will feature the Violins of Hope collection, restored instruments played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. AYS musicians Gallia Kastner, Evan Johansan, Alexander Mansour, and Johanna Nowick will be playing instruments from the collection for this premiere. At 5:30pm in Royce Hall’s Donor’s Lounge, Violins of Hope Los Angeles Chair, Susanne Reyto will also lead a pre-show discussion about the collection, with two violins, a viola, and a cello on display. Admission is free with a reserved concert ticket and capacity is limited.

“It is a privilege to partner with Violins of Hope and perform the premiere of Richard Danielpour’s Ricordanza with the American Youth Symphony,” said Izcaray. “It is important that we continue to remember the holocaust and honor those who suffered, and also celebrate the capacity of the human spirit to persevere.”

Samuel Barber’s rhythmic Overture to The School for Scandal opens the evening. The performance concludes with Strauss’ epic An Alpine Symphony, featuring a robust percussion section that includes wind and thunder machines, cowbells, gong and glockenspiel.

The final celebration of the natural world comes to a close with AYS’ Annual Gala on May 3, 2020 5:00 p.m. The program includes Alberto Ginastera’s Dances from Estancia, Op. 8a and Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3. Reservations for the Annual Gala Dinner go on sale on March 23rd.

For Calendar Section

Who: American Youth Symphony

         Carlos Izcaray, Music Director

         Vladimir Chernov, Baritone                                                                                    

Where: Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Los Angeles, 90095 

When: Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm

           Pre-concert talk at 5:30 pm

Tickets: Free for AYS members; $5 per order for General Admission.

            Reserve your seat at www.AYSymphony.org/tickets or call 310-470-2332.

 

About the Artists

Richard Danielpour’s list of commissions include some of the most celebrated artists of our day including Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, Dawn Upshaw, Emanuel Ax, Gil Shaham, Frederica von Stade, Thomas Hampson, Gary Graffman, Anthony McGill, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, the Guarneri and Emerson String Quartets, the New York City and Pacific Northwest Ballets, and institutions such as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Maryinsky, and Vienna Chamber Orchestras, Orchestre National de France, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. He has received two awards from the American Academy and Institute of Arts & Letters, a Guggenheim Award, the Bearns Prize from Columbia University, two Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships, and The Berlin Prize from the American Academy in Berlin. Danielpour is a Professor of Music at UCLA as well as a member of the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music. As one of the most frequently recorded composers of his generation, his recordings can be found on the Naxos and Sony Classical labels. Danielpour’s music is published by Lean Kat Music and Associated Music Publishers.

About Violins of Hope

The mission of Violins of Hope is to educate about the Holocaust through music and culture using a collection of violins, violas and cellos rescued from the Holocaust. Violins of Hope tells the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. Each violin has its own unique and inspiring story that educates both young and old about the Holocaust in a deeply personal and emotional way. www.violinsofhopelosangeles.org.

Carlos Izcaray is one of the leading conductors of his generation. He is Music Director for AYS and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. He is now in his fourth season with AYS. Izcaray shows special interest and prowess in undertaking the most complex works in the classical canon, while also championing innovative programming and celebrating new voices. Praised by international press, Izcaray has won top prizes at prestigious festivals and competitions world over, appearing with numerous ensembles across five continents.

About American Youth Symphony
Founded in 1964 by renowned conductor Mehli Mehta, the American Youth Symphony inspires the future of classical music by training the next generation of professional musicians and building new audiences for orchestral music. AYS presents ambitious seasons that feature thoughtful programming of exceptionally high quality, covering a breadth of symphonic music, including beloved classics, film scores, chamber works, and contemporary pieces. AYS is committed to reflecting the diversity of Los Angeles in its programming, representing artists and composers of all genders, generations, and ethnicities. AYS is also committed to equity within the orchestra, by holding blind, free auditions, and by paying musicians instead of charging tuition. AYS concerts are presented for free or low cost, at world-class concert halls and local community venues alike, with the goal of welcoming anyone who is interested to enjoy this beautiful art form. https://aysymphonyorg.dream.press/

 

 

American Youth Symphony