By Robert D. Thomas
Music Critic
Pasadena Star-News/San Gabriel Valley Tribune/Whittier Daily
News
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Each Thursday, I list five events that pique my interest,
including (ideally) at least one with free admission (or, at a minimum,
inexpensive tickets). Here’s today’s grouping:
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Tomorrow at 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall — NOTE: THE SATURDAY TIME IS 2 P.M., NOT 8 P.M. AS ORIGINALLY STATED
Los Angeles
Philharmonic: Gaffigan and Watts
James Gaffigan makes his Disney Hall debut leading a program
of Respighi, Bartok and Grieg. Pianist Andr Watts will be soloist in the Grieg
Piano Concerto. Information: www.laphil.com
Friday at 8 p.m. at
Shady Canyon Golf Club; Irvine
Charles Castronovo in
recital
This young American tenor, who was terrific in the lead role
of Daniel Catn’s Il Postino for LA
Opera a couple of seasons ago, joins with Taso Comanescu, guitar, and Austin
Grant, guitar/mandolin, in an intimate recital/reception/dinner at one of
Southern California’s most exclusive country clubs. The program, sponsored by
Orange County Philhuarmonic Society, will feature a selection of Neapolitan
songs. You must RSVP ahead of time for this program and I suggest you do so via
phone: (949) 553-2422: Information: www.philharmonicsociety.org
Saturday at 2 p.m.
and 8 p.m. at Ambassador Auditorium
Pasadena Symphony:
Nicholas McGegan conducts
In large measure because of his work leading the
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan is best known as an early
music specialist, but this weekend he leads the Pasadena Symphony in a program
that concludes with a much larger work: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (Eroica). Armenian pianist Nareh
Arghamanyan will be the soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20. Information: www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Saturday at 8 p.m.
Sunday at 7 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles Master
Chorale: Bach’s St. John Passion
Grant Gershon leads 40 members of his chorale, soloists and
Musica Angelica’s baroque orchestra in a performance one of Bach’s finest
works, St. John Passion. Information: www.lamc.org
And the weekend’s
“free admission” program …
Saturday at 7:30
p.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pasadena
Pipe Organs Inspire
Recital
Three downtown Pasadena churches — First Church of Christ,
Scientist, Pasadena Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church — and
their organists — David Wolfe (FCCSP), Timothy Howard (PPC) and Ae-Kyong Kim
(FUMC) — are collaborating on this three-recital series that features different
programs at each venue. Information: www.pipeorgansinspire.org
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(c) Copyright 2012, Robert D. Thomas. All rights reserved.
Portions may be quoted with attribution.