Return of the Yearly Vivaldi Performance at Powell Rotunda
UCLA's much-anticipated Vivaldi at Powell concert is set to make a comeback this spring, marking the revival of a cherished tradition that has long been a highlight of the university's cultural calendar. This year, the event takes on a new dimension, as it partners with Music for Food to support The Midnight Mission, an organisation providing essential services to those in need in downtown Los Angeles.
The concert, scheduled for May 4th at 8:00 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Powell Library, offers a unique opportunity for first-year students to engage with classical music and connect with faculty. Christian Gonzales, a first-year violin student who has previously performed at the Vivaldi at Powell concert, is one such student. Gonzales, who won the Atwater Kent String Concerto Competition in 2022, will perform the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77, on UCLA's Stradivarius violin, the "Duke of Alcantara," with the UCLA Symphony.
The programme for this year's concert is a delightful exploration of baroque music, featuring Vivaldi's Four Seasons, as well as solo pieces written by Vivaldi, Telemann, and Popper. Kaya Ralls, a first-year cello student, will perform the Vivaldi Concerto for two cellos. In keeping with the improvisational spirit of baroque music, students will add dynamics and ornamentation to their performances, creating a captivating and dynamic performance.
Movses Pogossian, violin professor at UCLA and head of the Los Angeles chapter of Music for Food, is thrilled to bring back the Vivaldi at Powell tradition and connect it to the cause of bringing food and nourishment to the community. Past students have fond memories of performing with their world-class instructors at the Vivaldi at Powell concert, and this year's event promises to be no exception.
The indie-band Weezer's recent quartet of albums paying homage to Vivaldi's Four Seasons is a testament to the enduring appeal of this iconic musical composition. Vivaldi's Four Seasons is one of the most recognizable musical compositions in the world, and this concert promises to be a celebration of its timeless beauty.
The pandemic interrupted the annual Vivaldi at Powell tradition in 2021, as it did most live music events. However, the return of this concert this year is a symbol of hope and resilience, a testament to the power of music to bring people together and uplift spirits.
For those interested in supporting this worthy cause, tickets for the concert can be purchased online, with all proceeds going to The Midnight Mission. The Los Angeles chapter of Music for Food has sponsored concerts around the city, at museums and farmers' markets, and this year's Vivaldi at Powell concert is set to be another inspiring addition to their roster.
As the concert provides students with an opportunity to develop not just their performance skills, but also their artistic voices, it promises to be a memorable and enriching experience for all involved. Whether you're a music lover, a UCLA student, or simply someone looking to make a difference in your community, the Vivaldi at Powell concert is an event not to be missed.
The Vivaldi at Powell concert, being an enriching experience for both first-year students and music lovers alike, provides a platform not only for performance skill development but also for artistic self-expression in education-and-self-development. The concert, in partnership with Music for Food, is equated with entertainment as it offers a captivating and dynamic performance of Vivaldi's timeless music, blurring the lines between learning and enjoyment.
