Symphony News

After fierce bidding, Tarisio Auctions sold “The Molitor” Stradivarius dated 1697, to renowned concert violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for a world-record price of $3,600,000. This price is the highest on record for any musical instrument sold at auction and is well over the pre-sale estimate of $2,000,000-$3,000,000.

“The Molitor” is believed to have been owned by Napoleon Bonaparte and takes its name from former owner Count Gabriel-Jean-Joseph Molitor, a General in Napoleon’s army. Other previous owners include the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and the American violinist Elmar Oliveira who last played this exquisite violin in 1994. On October 23^rd, this violin will be heard for the first time in 16 years.

Ms. Meyers raved about her first experience with the ex-Napoleon/Molitor violin, “It was love at first sound. Its power, feel, and range of color are extraordinary. I look forward to sharing this sound with the world.  I greatly look forward to unveiling the ‘ex-Napoleon’ Strad at the season opening of the Pasadena Symphony in Ambassador Auditorium. This extraordinary violin has rarely been played in public for over 300 years! What better place to celebrate it’s beauty than this coming weekend.”

Jason Price, director of Tarisio commented: “It’s a rare opportunity when a Stradivarius of this quality comes for sale at auction. “The Molitor” is the perfect convergence of historically important provenance, impeccable condition and first class sound. We’re delighted that it sold to Anne Akiko Meyers, one of the world’s finest soloists.”

Tarisio is one of the world’s leading sources of fine and rare stringed instruments. It combines the excellent reputation and services of a traditional auction house with the efficiency and accessibility of online sales. Offering first-class expertise and guaranteed cataloging, it has earned the respect of musicians, collectors, restorers and dealers the world over.

On October 23^rd, Maestro James DePreist, who has been described by The Chicago Sun Times as “One of the finest conductors this nation has produced” will lead the orchestra in performances of Brahms’ Symphony No.2 and Rossini’s Overture to La gazza ladra. Anne Akiko Meyers will perform Barber’s beloved Violin Concerto.

Anne Akiko Meyers

0 Comments
File Under: General News

Anne talks about her new album Seasons…Dreams, which was released in September.

Video #2: Anne Akiko Meyers Plays Gade’s ‘Jalousie’ Tango w/the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Holland

0 Comments
File Under: General News

In the summer of 2011, Marvin Hamlisch will take the podium of the Pasadena POPS for the first time, bringing a musical experience like no other to the heart of Pasadena. His musical scores are among the most iconic and inspirational works in the world and have garnered 4 Emmys, 4 Grammys, 3 Golden Globes, 3 Oscars, 1 Tony and 1 Pulitzer Prize. Hamlisch is one of only two people in history to have accomplished this feat. This appointment comes at a time of many exciting and successful changes for the Pasadena Symphony Association this year. The POPS has settled into its beautiful new venue at the Lawn adjacent to the Rose Bowl and the Symphony Classics Series will open at the acoustically exquisite Ambassador Auditorium on October 23^rd under the baton of Maestro James Depreist, who also serves as PSA’s Artistic Advisor.

“We are so delighted to welcome Marvin Hamlisch to Pasadena and look forward to him continuing to position the Pasadena POPS, at its new home on the Lawn Adjacent the Rose Bowl, as the Southern California destination for exhilarating Pops concerts,“ states Paul Jan Zdunek, Chief Executive Officer.  In addition to Mr. Hamlisch, the PSA will be engaging guest conductors to round out its POPS offerings which include a Holiday POPS concert in December and the annual Music Under the Stars concert on the steps of City Hall – free to the public. “After a dynamic ten-year tenure under the baton of Rachael Worby, we welcome Marvin Hamlisch to the Pasadena POPS as we build on the past with an eye to an even more robust future,” states Melinda Shea, President of the Board of Directors.

Click here to read the Los Angeles Times article about Marvin.

For more information please call 626.793.7172.

Tickets start at $25. Tickets for children 14 and under are just $10. 

Marvin Hamlisch’s life in music is notable for its great versatility as well as substance.

As composer, Hamlisch has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, “A CHORUS LINE”, received the Pulitzer Prize.

He is the composer of more than forty motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song for “THE WAY WE WERE” and his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music for “THE STING”, for which he received a third Oscar. His prolific output of scores for films include original compositions and/or musical adaptations for “SOPHIE’S CHOICE”, “ORDINARY PEOPLE”, “THE SWIMMER”, “THREE MEN AND A BABY”, “ICE CASTLES”, “TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN”, “BANANAS”, ”SAVE THE TIGER” and his latest effort ”THE INFORMANT”, (Sept.2009)  starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Marvin Hamlisch holds the position of principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony and San Diego Symphony.

Mr. Hamlisch was Musical Director and arranger of Barbra Streisand’s 1994 concert tour of the U.S. and England as well as of the television special, “Barbra Streisand: The Concert” (for which he received two of his Emmys).

Hamlisch is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Queens College (where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree). He believes in the power of music to bring people together. “Music can make a difference. There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together. Music is truly an international language, and I hope to contribute by widening communication as much as I can.”

Awards as Composer 

4 Emmys
4 Grammys                                                       
3 Golden Globes
3 Oscars
1 Pulitzer Prize
1 Tony

0 Comments
File Under: General News

After ten years as Music Director of the Pasadena POPS, Rachael Worby has announced that effective September 30, 2010, she will conclude her tenure with the organization. In a statement Rachael Worby said: “Being Music Director of the Pasadena POPS has been a joyful, fulfilling experience.  I wish the Pasadena Symphony – POPS all continued success.” Worby recently announced a series of children’s concerts she will be conducting with the Angeli Ensemble next year at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Pasadena Symphony Association thanks Rachael Worby for her dedicated years of enthusiastic advocacy for live symphonic music and the performing arts in Pasadena. Her leadership and support throughout the merger of the Pasadena Symphony and the POPS has helped make this organization a treasured community resource providing diverse musical concerts year round. We wish her all the success,” says Melinda Shea, President of the Board.

Ms. Worby will complete this season’s concerts conducting programs ALL THAT JAZZ this Saturday, August 14, and HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD, Saturday, September 25.  Both concerts will take place on the Lawn adjacent to the Rose Bowl.

2 Comments
File Under: General News

POPS Fireworks Spectacular featuring Cirque de la Symphonie. Video production courtesy of Glenn Winters Productions.

0 Comments
File Under: General News