LA Jewish Symphony to present "Cinema Judaica" in August

The rich tradition of Jewish composers' contributions to film history is celebrated at CINEMA JUDAICA, a concert by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS) on Sunday, August 8, 2010, 7:30 pm, under the stars at the Ford Amphitheatre. The orchestra, lauded for its exploration of Jewish culture and led by Artistic Director Noreen Green, pays tribute to Jerry Goldsmith, Elmer Bernstein, Steven Schwartz, Danny Pelfrey, Charles Fox, Yuval Ron and other major composers with performances of their scores from memorable movies whose themes, resonating with Jewish heritage, are as significant today as when the films were made.

Guest artists include Yuval Ron himself, percussionist Jamie Papish, and Israeli-born pianist Andy Feldbau, a scholarship recipient of the America-Israel Culture Foundation, which is sponsoring his appearance.

The program features music from two exciting Goldsmith works, Masada and QB VII; the expansive score of Bernstein's Ten Commandments Suite; the thrilling music of Schwartz's songs heard in Dreamworks' Prince of Egypt; Pelfrey's Symphonic Suite from Joseph: King of Dreams, another Dreamworks film; Fox's riveting Victory at Entebbe Suite (with pianist Andy Feldbau); and Ron's West Bank Story, with the composer on oud, the exotic Middle Eastern string instrument, and Papish on ethnic percussion. Additional concert highlights include the world premiere of new arrangements from The Chosen and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

"The dramatic and wide-ranging history of the Jewish people comes alive through the film music in our Cinema Judaica program, a perfect fit for the LA Jewish Symphony's mission which includes performing works both familiar and unfamiliar by Jewish composers or with a Jewish theme," says Green. "With our wonderful musicians and soloists at the most intimate outdoor venue in Hollywood, it will be an evening to remember. We've sold out our Ford concerts for the last two years, so we encourage people to get tickets right away."

THE VENUE AND TICKETS
The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking.

The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

The Ford is disabled accessible.

Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.

On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area.

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2010 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. For a complete season schedule, directions to the theater and parking information, log on to www.FordTheatres.org.

Tickets, priced at $36 and $25, and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under, are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD).