Monthly archives: March, 2021

A Multi-Dimensional Quintet Of LA Winds — Plus 1!

Episode 7 of your LA Winds’ “4 Winds on Wednesdays” highlights the five instruments of the standard, and much-celebrated, Woodwind Quintet.  We’re calling it “A Multi-Dimensional Quintet of LA Winds — Plus 1!” Our “Quintet” of Alicia Pizzi, Bom An, Stephen Piazza, Chuck Fernandez and Michelle Saddic are featured performing solos, duets, vocals, and original compositions as well as discussing Indian music and recording in Ireland — lots to include, except wind quintets!

We begin by hearing our former co-principal oboe, the “Plus 1!” mentioned above, Jessica Wilkins, in a stirring LA Winds performance of the Bacchanal from the biblical story of “Samson and Delilah” by Camille Saint-Saens.  Current LA Winds co-principal oboe Bom An next shares with us her hauntingly beautiful performance of Ennio Morricone’s main title music from the 1994 motion picture “Love Affair.”   Next, flutist Alicia Pizzi, who was scheduled to perform the passionately reflective “Meditation” from Thais with the Winds before the Pandemic hit, will lead us in a fascinating discussion of Indian music, while LA Winds horn player Michelle Saddic will talk about her work and study in Dublin, Ireland.  She’ll also present a very heart felt (and tongue in cheek!) tribute to the non-biblical contemporary cartoon “hero”— SpongeBob SquarePants.  And finally, bassoonist (and composer, conductor, educator) Chuck Fernandez and I will perform excerpts from the pen of the youthful Beethoven — his duo in Bb for Clarinet and Bassoon.  Without a doubt, this is a multi-dimensional quintet program is an outstanding video to view!

The Wearing of the Green and Other Blarney Stone

Episode 6 of your LA Winds’ “4 Winds on Wednesdays” is a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day titled “The Wearing of the Green and Other Blarney Stones,” featuring 3 outstanding members of our Winds family — Sue Winsberg, Andrea Vancura and Ruth Beaver — as well as the United States Marine Corps Band!

This show opens with a beautiful rendition of the traditional Irish hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” as arranged by my colleague Travis Cross (Director of Bands at UCLA) and performed by our very own LA Winds. Next, is featured LA Winds co-principal flutist and Irish and Scottish music aficionado, Sue Winsberg, as she shares with us her expertise and experiences with Irish song and dance.

Before returning to Ireland, we’ll take a detour 900 miles East and 700 years back in time as we feature a work by LA Winds’ trombonist and composer Andrea Vancura. Andrea who talks about her Czech heritage and her powerful and inspiring composition, “Pravda Vitezy,” celebrating the Czech patriot Jan Hus. Excerpts from the LA Winds’ 2017 recording of this profound work is featured.

Next, LA Winds bassoonist Ruth Beaver — who like Sue and Andrea, was featured in our “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” series — performs an entertaining movement from a unique work inspired by precious stones. In this case, it’s not the Blarney Stone, but rather the purported healing powers and undeniable beauty of the “Tiger’s Eye” stone.

Closing out this live-stream celebration is the US Marine Corps Band (with LA Winds’ alum, Parker Gaims) in a very moving rendition of “Irish Tune from County Derry,” which many of us know as “Danny Boy.”  Sue introduces this work with a very touching reading of the poem. My guess is there won’t be a dry eye in the house!

Finally, be sure to join us on March 31 for our next live stream program — “A Multi-dimensional Quintet of LA Winds — Plus 1!” featuring 6 of your LA Winds’ most versatile instrumentalists, educators, composers, arrangers, publishers, pianists — and, yes, singers!

Our “Virtual Wind Quintet” will consist of Alicia Pizzi (flute), Bom An (oboe), yours truly, Stephen Piazza (clarinet), Chuck Fernandez (bassoon) and Michelle Saddic (horn).  Tune in on March 31 to find out some of the hidden talents of these engaging LA Winds stalwarts!

See you on Wednesday and thanks for your continued support!

A Celebration of the LA (Wood) Winds

This fifth installment of Four Winds on Wednesday features three of our most talented and veteran members, Geoff Nudell, Bob Crosby and Chuck Fernandez. Please enjoy this musical treat!

These three outstanding woodwind specialists make up a core group of musicians who have helped transform the LA Winds into one of the nation’s premiere community ensembles. With a combined history of over 50 years with your LA Winds, they bring a wealth of experience, anecdotes and memories that I’m sure you will want to hear about.

Geoff performs a hauntingly beautiful selection from the 1953 motion picture “The Bad and the Beautiful” with some stunning photos of Lana Turner and Kirk Douglas, the movie’s co-stars.  Bob shares some of his extensive musical past — including a film clip from his appearance on the 1950s Dinah Shore TV show!  And Chuck shares with us a beautiful performance of the well known ballad “Tenderly” with jazz guitarist Massimo Sammi accompanied by Chuck’s “Song of Angels” flute orchestra — a fascinating combination and a real sonic treat!