Zubin Mehta
Calvin Simmons
(Getty Images - Jack Mitchell)
John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com writes:
LA Phil 100:
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala recorded at Walt Disney
Concert Hall on October 24, 2019, aired May 8, 2020 as part of PBS’ Great
Performances series. Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo
Dudamel conducted performances of the LA Phil. I
had recollections beyond the PBS' Great Performances program of the three great Music Directors.
Maestro Zubin Mehta was music director of LA Phil approx 1962-1978. During the
summer of 1972, African American pianist Natalie Hinderas performed at the
Hollywood Bowl. See https://africlassical.blogspot.com/2013/09/john-malveaux-long-beach-untold-history.html.
Around 1975 the LA Phil hired
Calvin Simmons as assistant conductor. Although Simmons was later hired as
conductor of Oakland Symphony, he continued to guest conduct for LA Phil and
other Los Angeles projects. See brief bio of Calvin Simmons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_E._Simmons.
Also during tenure of Zubin Mehta, Joe Westmoreland was hired as program
administrator of LA Phil minority training program. Joe Westmoreland was
a songwriter and greatly respected in gospel music circles.
The LA Phil and Interdenominational Choir under the baton of
Calvin Simmons premiered 'SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY'
with lyrics by Joe Westmoreland, music by Rene Moore, and orchestration by
Coleridge Taylor Perkinson. Additionally, the LA Phil and Interdenominational
Choir under Maestro Zubin Mehta toured Israel, Jordan, and other countries.
'SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY' was subsequently recorded by the Dvorak Symphony Orchestra
under Maestro Julius Williams. Please listen to
recording of 'SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krQq63l1SO8.
Separate from LA Phil, Maestro
Calvin Simmons conducted the 1976 Los Angeles premiere of William Grant Still
opera A BAYOU LEGEND. See https://africlassical.blogspot.com/2016/03/john-malveaux-youtube-video-of-carmon.html.
Pic 1 Zubin Mehta, pic 2 Calvin Simmons
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