The Palisades Symphony will perform a tribute concert on October 27.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
The Palisades Symphony invites you to an unforgettable evening as musicians honor the legacy of founding Music Director, Joel Lish, in a special tribute concert on Sunday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Palisades Lutheran Church, 15905 Sunset Boulevard.
This free concert is not just a musical event, but a heartfelt celebration of a man whose impact on the Los Angeles music scene has resonated for over five decades.
The program for the evening will be a reflection of the late Lish’s eclectic tastes and his passion for both classic and contemporary works.
The concert opens with Mozart’s exuberant Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, a work that embodies the joyful spirit that Joel brought to every performance.
Alexzandra Morris, a past winner of the Palisades Symphony Young Artist Awards Competition, a competition Lish started and sustained to provide a platform for talented young performers to flourish, will perform a movement from Telemann’s Viola Concerto in G, showcasing Joel’s beloved viola.
Megan Gillespie, mezzo-soprano, and Eric Castro, baritone, Lish’s long-time collaborators, will delight concertgoers with arias from Bizet’s Carmen, and the concert will feature violinist Cary Belling in his own composition, Music Madly Makes the World Go Round.
The evening will culminate with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1, a powerful testament to the enduring resonance of classical music, something Lish dedicated his life to sharing.
He founded the Palisades Symphony in 1966, and over the next five decades, transformed it into a cherished cultural institution in the Pacific Palisades. He was also an educator who influenced countless students as a music teacher in the Los Angeles school district.
As an advocate for music education, Lish’s efforts to provide opportunities for young musicians were unmatched, leading to initiatives such as the Young Artists Showcase Concert.
He took pleasure in introducing residents to orchestral music, making every concert free and accessible to all.
The tribute concert on October 27 serves as a continuation of this spirit of inclusivity and passion.
Conducted by the Symphony’s new Music Director, Dr. Maxim Kuzin, musicians, talented soloists and dedicated members of the Palisades Symphony, many of whom worked with Joel for years, will continue the mission Lish envisioned when he formed this symphony.
Admission is free. For more information and to view tributes to Joel Lish, including a video of his memorial service, visit our website at www.palisadessymphony.org.
