CalPhil in concert this weekend

Fortunately for music lovers, cellist Dennis Karmazyn doesn’t keep his artistry to himself. For the past sixteen years, he has performed as the principal cellist for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in Los Angeles. However, on July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at The Arboretum in Arcadia and July 25 at 2 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles, fans of the California Philharmonic will have a unique opportunity to hear Karmazyn – who also serves as principal cellist for Cal Phil – appear as guest soloist when the orchestra presents “John Williams & The Rings.” Karmazyn will perform the cello solo from Williams’ Theme from Schindler’s List.

Yet Karmazyn is not the sole Cal Phil ‘veteran’ to take center stage at “John Williams & The Rings.” Michael Arnold, who has served as Cal Phil’s principal clarinetist since the orchestra was founded in 1996, will appear as soloist in Viktor’s Tale from Williams’ score for the film, The Terminal.

“We’ve always been extremely proud of the high caliber of our orchestra members,” says Cal Phil’s founder and Music Director, Dr. Victor Vener. “There are no better musicians out there, as this concert will prove without question. Dennis, who made his professional debut at the young age of 16 as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has gone on to serve as principal cellist for some of the most acclaimed composers working today in Hollywood, including John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Randy Newman.”

Vener has equally high praise for Michael Arnold. “Michael has served as principal clarinetist not only for Cal Phil but for the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Italy and the United States,” Vener explains. “I can’t wait for our audiences to hear him because I know they’ll agree with critics who have hailed Michael as a ‘musical wizard’.”

Arnold’s wizardry, however, extends beyond the concert hall…to the courtroom. The clarinetist, a practicing attorney, not only performs for senior citizens, children and those in the hospital but has volunteered as a mediator for the Los Angeles City Attorney Dispute Resolution Program and the Los Angeles County Bar Domestic Violence Project.

In addition to Schindler’s List and The Terminal, Cal Phil will present excerpts from John Williams’ soundtracks for Star Wars, E.T., and Superman as well as his work, Olympic Fanfare, composed for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Audiences at both venues will be treated as well to a laser show produced by Star Lasers during Star Wars.

“It will be spectacular,” promises Mindy Kernc, Box Office Director. “Glorious sound accompanied by an equally glorious light show.”

Also on the program are excerpts from composer Howard Shore’s score for the film The Lord of the Rings and Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

“The Ring Cycle consists of four operas,” says Vener, “and we’ll present some of the most beloved and beautiful music from three of those operas –Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. Then, in the second half of the program, we’ll juxtapose against this excerpts from Howard Shore’s marvelous score for the film, The Lord of the Rings. Ever since J.R.R.Tolkien penned The Lord of the Rings, people have speculated on whether he ‘borrowed’ from Wagner’s operas; Tolkien, himself, vehemently denied it. But what no one can disagree with is that both works have inspired glorious, great music. Extraordinary music that we look forward to sharing with our audience.”

“John Williams & The Rings” will begin on Saturday, July 24, at 5:30 p.m., when the gates to The Arboretum open for picnicking. Three vendors – including Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ & Grill, Bristol Farms and Neomeze Restaurant Bar and Lounge – will provide food on site as well. Wine will be provided by redwhite+bluezz. And, as has happened in the past, live jazz performances will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Parking on site is available. The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.calphil.org or call 626.300.8200.

Tickets for “John Williams & The Rings” at Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 25 can be purchased through Ticketmaster online or by calling 800-745-3000. For downloadable order forms, seating and pricing, visit Cal Phil’s website: www.calphil.org..

Cal Phil will also present “Talks with the Maestro” at Disney Hall – at 1 p.m. prior to the concert. Vener stresses that these talks are not lectures but conversations between him and audience members; questions are encouraged. Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.