There are so many quotes about the power of music to heal. Debasish Mridha said that “music can heal the wounds which medicine cannot touch,” and award-winning guitarist Andre Feriante added this — “music has the power to heal, transform and inspire and we have the power through deep listening to increase our intuition and self-awareness.”
It’s with that spirit that “In Concert At The Hollywood Bowl,” a new weekly music series produced in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will be seen on KCET beginning Fri., August 21 at 8 p.m. PT on PBS SoCal and runs through the end of September (roughly the same time the summer concert season at the Bowl typically ends). The program will be broadcast to PBS Stations nationwide in early 2021.
When the world-wide pandemic hit, the Hollywood Bowl was officially canceled for the first time in its 98-year history in an effort to protect artists, audiences, and staff from the spread of COVID-19.
Being creative problem solvers, this new television series will allow viewers to experience iconic moments from the LA Phil archives at the Hollywood Bowl, since attending in-person is currently not an option.
Six episodes featuring the “best of” live performances from the past 10 years at the Bowl will be hosted by LA Phil’s Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. As an internationally renowned symphonic and operatic conductor, this native Venezuelan is clear that he is motivated by a profound belief in music’s power to unite and inspire.
Each week, viewers will be transported to a front-row seat with unprecedented access to musical performances and appearances from a star-studded lineup that includes Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Natalia Lafourcade, Los Angeles Azules, La Santa Cecilia, Misty Copeland, Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Kamasi Washington, Herbie Hancock Carlos Santana, Cindy Blackman Santana, Wayne Shorter, Kristin Chenoweth, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Vin Scully, Carlos Vives, Café Tacvba, Pink Martini, Thomas Wilkins, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Diego El Cigala, Katy Perry, John Williams and many more.
The Hollywood Bowl summer roster always features a broad variety of artists and genres, showcasing a roster of world-class artists ranging from classical and pop to jazz, rock, and world music. The new series features the return of legendary Hollywood Bowl favorites, as well as acclaimed artists making their Hollywood Bowl debuts while celebrating the music from a diverse array of cultures and communities around the world.
David C. Bohnett, chair and chief executive officer, Chad Smith’s faith in Dudamel is well known having praised his vision and passion, offering this — “Under Gustavo’s leadership, we are finding creative ways forward during an otherwise uncertain time.”
“The show must go on” is a phrase in show business that means regardless of what happens, whatever show has been planned still has to be staged for the waiting patrons. This is the energy that drove the creative community of the Los Angeles Philharmonic to find a creative solution
“The silencing of our music has been deafening,” Dudamel shared in a recent interview with Broadway World. “I have been working non-stop since March, here in California, to find new, safe and impactful ways to address how we will adapt to the many challenges we are facing as both an institution and an art form. I believe that the LA Phil is uniquely equipped to address this ever-changing situation: We have always spoken about a ‘culture of the new’ in Los Angeles, and we intend now to embrace that ideal with a renewed commitment and passionate energy.”
Adding to the commitment to keep the music flowing chief creative officer of KCET Juan Devis made it clear that the LA Phil is an iconic institution and the opportunity to bring arts and culture to millions of viewers at home during a time when it’s needed most by our community is one of the reasons they backed A Phil’s Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Series on KCET
“Southern California is home to one of the most important cultural communities in the world,” said Devis. “And we have an undeniably important responsibility to share these iconic performances from past years with the community and with audiences nationwide.”
President of the Hollywood Bowl and Chief Operating Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Gail Samuel said, “KCET plays a vital role in the cultural life of Southern California—they have been telling our stories for more than 50 years. When the Hollywood Bowl went dark for the first time in its nearly century-long history as a result of the pandemic, we were devastated, as were the thousands of families who have made the Bowl a summertime tradition for generations. With KCET’s partnership, we will be able to have a Hollywood Bowl season after all—right in the living rooms of music fans here in Southern California and across the country.”
Upcoming episodes of “In Concert At The Hollywood Bowl” will air as follows (subject to change):
Wed., Aug. 26 at 9 p.m.: “Gustavo and Friends”
Featuring Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil performing excerpts from “Swan Lake” with Misty Copeland, Pablo Ferrández, Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil performing a selection from Dvorak’s “Cello Concerto,” Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil performing Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” as well as Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil, Amanda Majeski, J’Nai Bridges, Issachah Savage, Ryan Speedo Green and the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) performing the finale to Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9.”
Wed., Sept. 2 at 9 p.m.: “Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl”
Featuring Dianne Reeves with Ivan Lins, Christian McBride, Chucho Valdes, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Kamasi Washington, and Mega Nova (Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, and Wayne Shorter).
Wed., Sept. 9 at 9 p.m.: “Musicals and the Movies”
Featuring Kristin Chenoweth with Kevin Stites and the LA Phil, Audra McDonald with Bramwell Tovey and the LA Phil, Sutton Foster with Brian Stokes Mitchell, Gustavo Dudamel, and the LA Phil.
Wed., Sept. 16 at 9 p.m.: “Música Sin Fronteras” (“Music Without Borders”)
Featuring Vin Scully, Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil, Carlos Vives, Café Tacvba, and Siudy Garrido Flamenco Dance Theater with the LA Phil and conducted by Paolo Bortolameolli in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Wed., Sept. 23 at 9 p.m.: “Fireworks!”
Featuring Katy Perry, Pink Martini, Thomas Wilkins, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Diego El Cigala, Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil performing a selection from Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite, plus John Williams and the LA Phil performing music from “Star Wars.”
The new series “In Concert At The Hollywood Bowl” will be included in a robust Wednesday night of programming for KCET designed to highlight the resilience of the arts community. Under the theme “Create Wednesday,” the schedule will also feature popular Arts and Culture programs that have previously aired on KCET and PBS that include KCET’s Emmy® award-winning original art series “Artbound” and student film showcase “Fine Cut” as well as America’s preeminent performing arts television series from PBS, “Great Performances.”
The lineup also includes the new local weekly series “Southland Sessions” which celebrates the creativity and spirit of Los Angeles’ arts and culture communities by featuring a diverse spectrum of content from a variety of prominent voices from around Southern California for up-close, virtual “sessions.”
For updates, follow @KCET @LAPhil and #InConcertAtTheHollywoodBowl on social media.
Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org/apps. KCET is a content channel of the Public Media Group of Southern California.
