Join us on July 9th with Ben Powell, violin, and Cecialia Tsan, cello, performing works of Haendel-Halvorsen, Glière, and Kodály
“There exists a passion for comprehension, just as there exists a passion for music.”
– Albert Einstein
More Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome
Well it didn’t snow on June 11th, but it was cold and foggy. The musicians were on fire however. The program was brilliant. The sound was astonishing. So we’re extending this monthly second Sunday series through the summer under the Artistic Directorship of Cécilia Tsan.
Our next concert is Sunday, July 9, 2017, for chamber music inside the 100-Inch Telescope Dome. Performances at 3pm and 5pm. Then jazz, August 13 and September 10. Check back for details.
The 100-inch Telescope is the instrument with which astronomer Edwin Hubble proved the existence of distant galaxies, vastly increasing the scale of the known Universe, and then found evidence that it is expanding. This is a 20th century edifice of science, with acoustics to rival the great cathedrals of Europe.
On Sunday July 9, a string duo will perform compositions by Haendel-Halvorsen, Zoltan Kodaly, and Reinhold Glière.
The featured artists are: Cécilia Tsan, Principal Cello for the Long Beach Symphony, and Ben Powell, violin. Two performances of the same program are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
There will be a reception with the artists following each performance.
In addition concert-goers will be treated to an exhibition featuring rare scientific artifacts, drawings, and illustrations.
All proceeds go to support the Mt. Wilson Institute in its mission to preserve the Observatory and towards educating the public about the great discoveries made here.
About the artists:
Cécilia Tsan, Cello –
“Uncompromising musical character and a towering technique… In the breadth of her virtuosity and the charisma of her musical personality, Tsan made this work her own” (Daniel Cariaga/ LA Times/ Hayden D Major Cello Concerto) Tsan is a prizewinner at the Barcelona, Florence and Paris International competitions. She has toured throughout the world as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Currently Principal Cellist with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Tsan has also served as Principal Cello for a number of Southern California orchestras. She also maintains a busy recording schedule for records, film and television programs.
Ben Powell, Violin –
Ben Powell stands among a select few musicians as one of the leading multi-stylistic improvising violinists of his generation. He has recorded and performed classical, jazz and popular music with ensembles around the world. His ability to play classically at the highest level combined with is ability to improvise cross-genres make him an extremely versatile and sought after first call musician for live performances and for studio work. Ben also regularly performs chamber music concerts in the UK with his father David Powell, a cellist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
For more on the musicians, visit their Web pages: www.ceciliatsan.com and www.ben-powell.com
Please note: No Handicapped Access: The 100-inch Telescope is nearly 100 years old and is not ADA-compliant. Visiting the inside of the Dome is not recommended for those with respiratory or heart problems due to the stairs and the 5700-ft elevation.
The concerts are at Mount Wilson Observatory which is located in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena. Please allow at least 45 minutes for the drive from the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway in La Cañada.
For questions concerning the concerts please send an email to concerts@mtwilson.edu