Newly-Appointed Music Director of the American Youth Symphony Conducts Free Concert at UCLA's Royce Hall
On October 16 the American Youth Symphony's 52nd concert season commences with a performance led by the ensemble's new Music Director, Carlos Izcaray, featuring Mahler's Symphony No. 1 "Titan"
Los Angeles, CA, September 20, 2016 (Newswire.com) - On Sunday, October 16 at 5pm in UCLA’s renowned Royce Hall, the American Youth Symphony (AYS) inaugurates its 2016/17 concert season with an orchestral performance featuring Schreker’s Vorspiel zu einem Drama, Bloch’s Hebraic Rhapsody, Mahler’s Symphony No.1 (Titan), challenging works chosen in no small part to highlight the prowess and skill of the American Youth Symphony orchestra. The concert is free and seating is limited; all are invited to experience the beauty, grace and intimacy of some of the greatest works of classical music performed by the some of the most exceptional musicians in the country.
Reserve complimentary tickets online or by phone (310.470.2332) today!
"The finest youth Symphony on Earth!"
Jim Sjevda, KUSC
This concert also bears the distinction of being the symphony’s first performance with newly-appointed Music Director Carlos Izcaray at the podium. Also Music Director of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Izcaray brings a wealth of experience and expertise to AYS. Born to a family of multigenerational musical talent, Izcaray has been a devotee of classical music since he started in Venezuela’s public system of youth orchestras at the age of three. In addition to working with a diverse array of professional and educational ensembles the world over, he has also earned accolades for his performances as both a soloist and chamber musician. Considered one of the leading conductors of his generation, Maestro Izcaray has toured extensively throughout the US and Europe as a guest conductor, and has worked tirelessly to support the next generation of musicians by partnering with the world’s top talents and leading music education institutions. Throughout his career, Izcaray has shown special interest and prowess in tackling some of the most complex scores in the symphonic repertoire, while also championing the historically informed approach to works from past eras.
Izcaray’s deft conducting will be paired with the prodigious solo talent of AYS principal cellist, Coleman Itzkoff, winner of the 2016 concerto competition, who has been heralded as "virtuosic" by the LA Times. Coleman has been principal cellist of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen, the Shepherd School Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, the Aspen Festival Orchestra, and the Thornton School Symphony Orchestra, among others. In addition to being principal cellist of AYS, he is also co-principal cellist of the LA-based conductorless chamber orchestra Kaleidoscope.
The American Youth Symphony’s mission is to inspire the future of classical music. The organization shares exceptional, innovative concerts based on a landmark Fellowship program for musicians ages 15-27. Moreover, these concerts are offered for free or significantly reduced admission. Competitively selected, the orchestra is comprised of 100 musicians who represent extraordinary talent from all over the world. By gifting the community with remarkable concerts at world-class venues, the American Youth Symphony remains committed to creating access and opportunity for everyone to experience the inspiration of this beautiful art form.
Source: American Youth Symphony