Now You Can See “In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl”

Update: Just after I published this preview, PBS announced that due to the circumstances in Washington, D.C., the dates for In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl have changed and that the first show will not air until January 22nd.

Last August the Los Angeles Philharmonic launched a series of filmed performances from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Those who lived in the greater Los Angeles area were the only ones who could see In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Now everyone can as the series begins its run on PBS stations around the country.

Each concert is themed and contains multiple performances from the past few years. The artists who appear include Kristin Chenoweth, Misty Copeland, Herbie Hancock, Natalia Lafourcade, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Katy Perry, Pink Martini, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Carlos Santana, Kamasi Washington and John Williams. Music by Beethoven, Copland, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky are amongst the works performed.

As you can see, a multitude of genres are represented in the six one-hour episodes.

Most shows are scheduled for 9:00 PM in each time zone except as noted below. Best to check your local listings to confirm when your local PBS station is broadcasting In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

I’ve seen all six shows and strongly recommend them.

Here’s the full line-up for In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl (please note that schedules are subject to change):

Hecho en Mexico – January 22nd

Dudamel leads the LA Phil with special guests acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela (if you’ve never seen them, wait until you get a look at them in this show), singer/songwriter Natalia Lafourcade. Cumbia sonidera group Los Angeles Azures performs with YOLA (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles) and multi-genre band La Santa Cecilia performs. Dudamel also leads the orchestra in a performance of Arturo Marquez’s El Nereidas de Dimas.

Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl – January 29th

You can’t ask for a better line-up of jazz artists for this concert: singer Dianne Reeves, singer/songwriter Ivan Lins, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Chucho Valdés, singer Cécile McLorin Salvant, saxophonist/composer Kamasi Washington plus the group Mega Nova which features keyboardist/composer Herbie Hancock, singer/guitarist Carlos Santana and saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

Musicals and the Movies – January 29th – 10:00 PM

It appears you have to have won a Tony Award to make it in this show. Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) performs with Kevin Stites and the LA Phil. Audra McDonald(you know she has six Tony Awards, right?) performs with Bramwell Tovey and the LA Phil. Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ragtime, Kiss Me Kate) performs with Dudamel and the LA Phil. Sutton Foster (Anything Goes, Violet) also performs.

Gustavo and Friends – February 5th

Dudamel’s friends here include ballet dancer Misty Copeland, cellist Pablo Ferrández, soprano Amanda Majeski, mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, tenor Issachah Savage, bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

On the program are excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and the finale to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.

Fireworks! – February 5th – 10:00 PM

Every Hollywood Bowl season ends with the Fireworks Finale. So it’s appropriate that Katy Perry joins this episode to sing her hit song, Fireworks. Additional performers in this episode include Pink Martini, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, gypsy singer Diego El Cigala, conductor Thomas Wilkins and Dudamel leading the LA Phil in selections from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

Lest you think the LA Phil forgot about its most popular series of concerts each summer, composer/conductor John Williams leads the orchestra in a performance of music from Star Wars. Get out your lightsabers.

Música Sin Fronteras (“Music Without Borders”) – February 12th

Dudamel leads the LA Phil and special guests Columbian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives, the band Café Tacvba from Mexico and the legendary Vin Scully. Also on the bill is Paolo Bortolameolli leading the LA Phil in a performance with Florida’s Siudy Garrido Flamenco Dance Theatre.

Photo: Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl (Photo courtesy Dustin Downing and PBS)