Los Angeles Jewish Symphony – The Sephardic-Latino Connection

 A World Culture Event Showcasing the Similarities between

Latino and Sephardic Music Originating from Spain

One performance only at Ford Amphitheatre 2008 Summer Season

Sunday, August 24 at 7:30 PM 

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony premieres “The Sephardic-Latino Connection” under the stars at the Ford Amphitheatre on Sunday, August 24 at 7:30 pm, celebrating the similarity of impassioned cries of the cantors and those of the flamenco artists whose roots originate from Spain.

This musical spectacular, conducted by the symphony’s founder/artistic director Dr. Noreen Green,  showcases music from the rich Sephardic- Latino cultures, performed by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony as they accompany renowned flamenco guitarist Adam del Monte and harpist extraordinaire Marcia Dickstein. Enjoy a serenade by Argentinean Cantor Marcelo Gindlin with Special Guests, The Mariachi Divas! This concert promises to be a spirited night to remember as music from Spain illuminates the Latino and Jewish-Sephardic connections.

“The best way to bring people together from their separate worlds is through a musical show,” says Dr. Noreen Green.  “This Cross Cultural program is an amazing opportunity to do just that. This is the essence of the power of music as a universal language….and the spark of life that musicians live for!”  This program is designed to introduce or further familiarize and enlighten LA audiences about music that has its roots in the rich cultures of Spain. “With this concert, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony showcases the contributions of Sephardic and Latino music to the cultural diversity of the orchestral music repertoire,” she says.

The exciting evening will open with renowned harpist Marcia Dickstein performing Concertino for Harp and Chamber Orchestra by composer Mario Castlenuovo-Tedesco, born in Italy to Sephardic parents. Tenor extraordinaire Cantor Marcelo Gindlin will perform a variety of popular Sephardic songs accompanied by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.  Celebrated guitarist Adam del Monte will perform the West Coast Premiere of his Ensuenio Flamenco, a work created as a crossover between two profound musical traditions. Following intermission, the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony will perform Granada by Mexican composer Augustin Lara. The LAJS will  again accompany  Cantor Gindlin in Cantas de Solonica, composed by Gilbert R. Trout and based on three Ladino folk songs as seen through his personal prism - the Ladino language being a mixture of Castilian Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. The finale of the concert will highlight the Mariachi Divas as they join the LAJS with exhilarating Mariachi pieces including Mi Ciudad, Besame Mucho Cielito Lindo and Avram Avinu. The program is subject to change.

“The Sephardic-Latino Connection” takes place on Sunday, August 24 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $36 & $25; full-time students with valid ID and children (12 and under) are admitted for $12. They may be purchased at www.FordTheatres.org or by calling the Ford Theaters Box Office at (323) 461-3673.

The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), founded in 1994, is the only one of its kind outside of Israel. The Symphony has presented numerous world-premieres of works by Jewish composers, premiered works never-before performed in America and presented world premiers in Israel. Its mission is to perform orchestral works of well known and aspiring Jewish composers; establish opportunities for the presentation of new compositions by Jewish artists; serve as a professional resource for aspiring Jewish and non- Jewish musicians; and act as an educational medium for Jewish music by providing educational opportunities for diverse populations of school age children. Since 1998, over 10,000 elementary school students of diverse multicultural backgrounds have participated in music education programs sponsored and taught by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.

In addition to her duties as Artistic Director and Conductor of the LAJS, Dr. Noreen Green is music director at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, and is an accomplished educator and a renowned lecturer on Jewish Music. Dr. Green has received much public recognition for her outstanding contributions to the multi-cultural musical scene in Los Angeles. She has been recognized for her remarkable enthusiasm and dramatic conducting and for bringing neglected as well as new and familiar orchestral works on Jewish themes to the concert stage. She is known world- wide for her knowledge and skill in presenting this material and has received numerous awards and accolades for her entertaining and unique concerts. This concert is an extension of the successful educational programs and workshops that have been presented in public and Jewish Day Schools with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. The “Patchwork of Cultures” program, funded in 2007 by a substantial education grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, uses music to show the cultural bridge between the Sephardic, Jewish and Latino communities in terms of language, music and the arts.

Famed guitarist Adam del Monte was a First Prize Winner at the 1997 Stotsenberg International Classical Guitar Competition, del Monte is one of the new generations leading guitarists in the world today by being a dynamic force in both flamenco and classical guitar. He has performed concerts around the world and his numerous CD’s have reached international acclaim. His eclectic awareness of jazz, world music and other contemporary forms led to new, creative renditions of classic flamenco repertoire which he will perform with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony.

Cantor Gindlin’s Argentinean roots provide a true understanding of the cross cultural essence of the Latino and Sephardic music and history. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cantor Marcelo Gindlin is a multi-talented, multifaceted musician whose soulful vocal genius spans across many arenas. His passion for what he does transcends his music. He is the full-time Cantor of the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue. In addition to his Cantorial training and degree from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, he has two degrees in Music Therapy and has extensive experience as a teacher, composer, choir director and charismatic performer. His electrifying personality and infectious smile radiate when he is on stage. Besides his numerous CD’s and prestigious publications, Cantor Gindlin has performed for many dignitaries and leaders throughout the world. 

From classical to jazz genres, harpist Marcia Dickstein has been enticing audience with her exceptional musical talents around the world. As Founder/ Artistic director of The Debussy Trio, which celebrates its 20^th Anniversary this year, she has performed internationally, including concerts in the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Japan; over NPR radio; and on commercial and public TV. Her melodious harp performances have accompanied the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, Long Beach Symphony as well as over 300 film credits.  This concert marks a special opportunity for Ms. Dickstein to perform the Harp Concertino by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, who composed music for the film industry and comes from the Jewish-Sephardic heritage. His rarely performed Harp Concertino is a unique, colorful and spirited piece embedded with Spanish influence and Sephardic themes.

This exciting concert also marks the first time that an all female mariachi band will be singing with a live full orchestra. The Mariachi Divas, the highly acclaimed all-female  group,  is a unique, multi-cultural ensemble representing the true flavor of Los Angeles and, over the years, has been represented by women of Mexican, Cuban, Samoan, Argentinean, Columbian, Panamanian, Puerto Rican, Swiss, Japanese, Honduran, Peruvian and Anglo descent. “Music is a way of uniting our cultural backgrounds,” says Cindy Shea, the founder and director of the Mariachi Divas, as well as their trumpet player. They will be performing beautiful orchestrations, prepared by Alberto Jimenez, that will pull all the elements of Latino and Sephardic music together. The Mariachi Divas have been featured in various concerts throughout the United States. They have made numerous television appearances and performed at the inaugurations of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Divas just released their 4^th CD “Canciones de Amor” and their musical talents and energetic performances promise to accent this historical performance.

Major sponsors for this event include The Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; The Los Angeles County Arts Commission; Milken Family Foundation; Hillside Memorial Park and  Mortuary; The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles; The Jewish Music Commission; The Jewish Community Foundation and Phil Blazer, Jewish Life TV.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, off the 101 Hollywood Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. 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 at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga,; the shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the “kiss and ride” area. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. 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. Picnicking is encouraged. For complete Ford season schedule, directions,  and parking information, visit www.FordTheatres.org

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