California’s New West Symphony has commissioned seven local professional artists to paint original works inspired by Holst’s The Planets, one of the works on its March 27-29 concerts in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Santa Monica. The artists were from selected cities and towns surrounding those in which the orchestra performs: northern San Fernando Valley, Camarillo, Newbury Park, Ventura, Oak Park, and Oxnard. Each artist visually interpreted one movement from Holst’s seven-part suite, and the resulting images will appear onscreen behind the orchestra as it performs. Music Director Marcelo Lehninger will conduct the weekend program, which also includes Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in D minor, featuring soloist Jennifer Frautschi. Many of the original pieces of art will be available for purchase during the performance weekend. “Our hope is that the projection of the works of art will provoke thought for the audience and enhance their overall experience while listening to the live performance,” said Samantha Theisen, New West’s director of education.
Posted March 26, 2015
