AYS 42nd Gala Benefit

Two Sundays ago I went to see AYS perform at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown LA. AYS stands for the American Youth Symphony and is comprised mainly of music students from UCLA, USC, and nearby CalState Universities. This was their gala benefit (which meant all the old ladies were wearing hats - always funny) and had an outstanding programme of

ROSSINI | Barber of Seville Overture
MENDELSSOHN | Symphony No. 4 "Italian"
BEETHOVEN | Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"

The esteemed Andre Watts was playing piano, and it was a truly mezmerizing experience. I have never loved the piano as much as other instruments, because so often I feel that the sound is dead and less expressionistic than a cello for example. However, his playing infused Beethoven with a vigor and emotion that I have never heard it played with before. In addition to his complete mastery of the technical and emotional aspects of playing the piano, he is quite silly looking when he plays the piano. He stomps his feet and sings along under his breath, adding yet another dimension to the performance.

They are playing a concert this month at Disney Hall - here's the link if anyone is interested:

http://wdch.laphil.com/tix/performance_detail.cfm?id=3038