You don't have to be this old to enjoy classical music. An article in this mornings LA Times reveals that the audience is not necessarily "dying" or as old as one might think, and talks about the benefits of classical music. Some basic points are that it's never too early to start enjoying it, attendance is solid and growing for most concerts, and people go not just for the music, but the experiences one... [continue]

LAist will tackle some issues regarding dining, etiquette, tipping, etc. The information is compiled from etiquette classes, books, newspaper articles, and experience. Any and all questions can go in the comments section. Part 1 can be found here. Have you ever gone to a restaurant or reception where they give you a fork, a spoon, a knife, and a glass, except there are three or four of each? Why and how did we even... [continue]

The LA Times just published a story on Esa-Pekka Salonen. An interesting anecdote from the article revealed that People had selected him to be on their 50 sexiest people list, and that he had declined(!). This is all tied together somehow because this is Salonen's 17th and last year as Music director for the LA Phil. After this year, he begins his tenure at the London Philharmonia and Gustavo Dudamel takes over as the next... [continue]

LAist will tackle some issues regarding dining, etiquette, tipping, etc. The information is compiled from etiquette classes, books, newspaper articles, and experience. Any and all questions can go in the comments section. If you ask someone to dinner, it is expected that you should make the reservations, choose the place, and pay for the meal. Any "dutch" paying arrangements are made before you get to the restaurant. Often times this rule is neglected when hanging... [continue]

The LACO has been a major contributor to the music scene in Los Angeles for 40 years. You've probably heard their musicians in many movies, music recordings, and seen them (the mural of an orchestra on the 110? The LACO). How about seeing them live? LAist has covered them several times before, and this year is a good year to check them out for yourself. The LACO is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and bringing... [continue]

Woody Allen (Vicky Cristy Barcelona, Manhattan, Annie Hall) and William Friedkin (the Exorcist, the French Connection) collaborate with the Los Angeles to bring you their vision of Giacomo Puccini's Il Trittico. Il Trittico is made up of three one-act operas, "Il Tabarro", "Suor Angelica", and "Gianni Schicchi". James Conlon conducts the orchestra and Tony-award winning Santo Loquasto will design the set. "Il Tabarro" is about a tragic love triangle, filled with dark and violent... [continue]

A preview of Mahler, conducted here by Simon Rattle at the BBC Proms Mahler's 8th Symphony is titled the Symphony of a Thousand because the premiere had over 800 vocalists on stage accompanying an orchestra of around 200. It's epic. It's the last appearance of Salonen as the Music Director, and due to the lack of opportunities to see the 8th symphony, this a program that should not be missed. There are eight soloists,... [continue]

Itzak Perlman performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, which will be performed at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend. Russia has the Tchaikovsky Competition, Poland the Chopin Competition, and Los Angeles gets the relatively new Jose Iturbi International Music Competition. The main drawing power of the new competition? A top prize of 50,000 dollars and it takes place every year (most of these competitions take place every 4-5 years and usually offer less money). Along with... [continue]

One wouldn't really expect to go to the LACMA to go see great classical music, but during the season every Sunday at 6 there is a free concert of some great mid-career musicians or student virtuosos, broadcasted on 88.5 KCSN. Today we have violinist Hahn-Bin and pianist John Blacklow performing the Mozart and Franck violin sonatas. Next week on Friday we have jazz singer/songwriter/pianist Bill Cantos takes the stage, and on Sunday we have cellist... [continue]

For some reason it's not letting me upload pictures, so here is a video! This week's classical pick is a pick of several jazz concerts. There are always shows at the standard locations like the Baked Potato and Catalina Jazz Club, and free jazz and wine at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesdays. Tonight at 7 PM in Pasadena you have a FREE performance from the Ernie Andrews Quartet at Levitt Pavilion. The Hollywood Bowl... [continue]

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is the brainchild of Joss Whedon, who has enlisted his friends Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillon, and Felicia Day to create a musical in which Dr. Horrible (Harris) blogs about his daily routine, reading fan letters, and of his attempts to join the Evil League of Evil. Captain Hammer (Fillon) is his nemesis and Felicia Day (a Buffy alum) is his love interest that he never talks to. Part 1... [continue]

This week didn't seem to be as hot as predicted, but this week's classical pick is packing some heat! Which is literally the case here, since they will have fireworks at the end of the show this Thursday at the Hollywood Bowl. The program has a distinctly Eastern flavor, with music from Russian and Chinese composers, with the world famous pianist Lang Lang and LA Phil's Assistant Principal cellist Ben Hong as the soloists. The... [continue]

LAist was able to check out a couple of concerts last weekend, in two completely different venues. The program included some very patriotic affair, with the California Phil providing all of the fireworks. These concerts were mentioned as last week's classical pick, and did not disappoint. Although the program was exactly the same, the orchestra was able to adjust accordingly to the acoustics at each venue and offered a different interpretation but the same unbridled... [continue]

Every Summer the number of outdoor concerts increase significantly. Why not? It's beautiful outside. In Marina Del Rey, they hold classical and popular concerts every Thursday and Saturday. This Thursday we have the opening ceremonies including two pre-concert events Trooping the Colors and a Water Show on the main channel. The highlight of this concert is USC professor Marek Szpakiewicz performing the Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor. According to our all-powerful all-knowing editor, "you'll... [continue]

This title was bestowed upon the Luther Burger by Real Life comics. Inspired by an episode of the Boondocks, a few brave souls from the heart of the Valley undertook the monumental task of creating and eating a Luther Burger. It consists of one pound of ground beef, cheese, grilled onions, and five strips of bacon. Sounds over the top? Replace the buns with Krispy Kreme donuts and you've got yourself a Luther burger. And... [continue]

This is a difficult movie to market without a red-band trailer, due to the subject matter. The Wackness is this summer's "it" indie movie. It's got all of the typical elements you'd see in an indie film; it's the coming-of-age story of an apathetic and depressed graduate (Josh Peck) who meets and falls in love with a carefree girl (Olivia Thirlby). This chance encounter allows him to experience a whole slew of emotions he... [continue]

the Rabbit of Seville, with a "cameo" by Leopold Stokowski This week we revisit some classic cartoons at the Hollywood Bowl. It pairs the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Looney Tunes characters as it incorporates the music and the cartoons live on stage. This is the final performance of the show before 2010 when they present a new 20th anniversary edition. It includes the Rabbit of Seville and What's Opera Doc? This is a fun... [continue]

part 1 of "Rhapsody in Blue" from Fantasia 2000 The California Phil is one of the many great orchestras in the Los Angeles area that offers varied and exciting programming in the Ambassador and the Walt Disney Concert Hall throughout the year. They open up their summer season with a concert at the Arboretum, a beautiful botanic garden located in the heart of Arcadia. The Arboretum is a 127-acre park which includes the famous... [continue]

One of the most exciting things to do in the summer is to go see some shows at the Hollywood Bowl. It has a variety of classical and popular shows and has been known to bridge the gap between the two genres with their collaborations between artist and orchestra (Remember this?). This season marks the end for Salonen as a music director and has added two talented conductors Bramwell Tovey and Thomas Wilkins. This season... [continue]

The Classical Pick of the Week segment has returned from a brief hiatus to bring you news about the LA Opera's new production of Tosca. With all the elements of a great Hollywood movie (love triangle, obsessive love, backstabbing, dramatic ending) Tosca has become one of the most frequently performed operas of our time. It has been considered the "greatest film score of all time" and has only four more performances left as they... [continue]