Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
July 17 2004

Four seasons bloom harmony at Descanso

JOYCE RUDOLPH
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE – Violin soloist Armen Anassian will concentrate
on spring when the four seasons are interpreted in music by the
Pasadena Pops tonight at Descanso Gardens.

Anassian’s first solo of the evening will be during the tango
“Primavera Porteña” by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. The
Spanish title translates to “spring in the port city of Buenos
Aires,” he said. The tango dance was born in Buenos Aires, and
composer Piazzolla was the “grandpa” of tango music, Anassian said.

Piazzolla wrote the piece to pay homage to Vivaldi, who wrote “The
Four Seasons,” the Studio City resident added. The “Spring” portion
of the Vivaldi’s piece will be played by the orchestra, featuring
violin prodigy Laura Ha. Piazzolla’s piece follows.

Piazzolla’s piece is very emotional, Anassian said, which gives him a
chance to say all the things he can say only with the violin.

“That is the greatest thing about music. Sometimes only through music
I can express myself, even though I speak five languages,” he said.
“Music is a universal language. And this piece is so dramatic and
full of emotions that it gives the performer a chance to fully
express themselves.”

The Armenian-born violinist came to the United States with his
parents when he 15 when Armenia was a republic of the Soviet Union.
He studied music in Europe but returned to Los Angeles in 1992.

He has served in conducting and/or concertmaster positions all over
the world with such noted groups as the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra.
In Southern California, Anassian has been a soloist with the
California Philharmonic and the Burbank Symphony. He has also been
the guest concertmaster for many symphony orchestras, like the
Glendale Symphony Orchestra. He is a soloist and violinist with the
Los Angeles Opera.

Also on tonight’s program is tenor Bruce Eckstut, who will sing
“Younger than Springtime” from the musical “South Pacific.”
Orchestral selections will include Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream” and the Mamas and Papas’ “California Dreamin’.” Dancers will
perform a ballet to Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for
picnicking. Tickets range from $19 to $65 and can be purchased at the
gate. Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada
Flintridge.