Classical Californians: Noreen Green

Our Classical Californian this week is Noreen Green, the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, which launched 30 years ago. The orchestra was created to champion works of classical music that celebrate the Jewish experience. She's selected a range of pieces by Leonard Bernstein, Ernest Bloch, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Eric Zeisl, Andrea Clearfield, and Sony Alex Braun.

She starts with a Biblical celebration of music by Leonard Bernstein, from his Chichester Psalms. (The first movement runs through 3:39 in the video below)

Then it's the music of Ernest Bloch, first with the Fugue finale from his Concerto Grosso No. 1 for String Orchestra, with pianist Patricia Michaelian.

Bloch's Baal Shem Suite contains this beautiful movement called "Nigun" which uses the tradition of improvisation - although it's entirely notated. We'll hear Joshua Bell as the soloist.

Next we'll hear music inspired by the prophets by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, who called his second violin concerto "I Profeti." The soloist here is Jascha Heifetz. The third movement, heard in the broadcast, starts at 21:39.

Now a few selections from the ballet Jacob and Rachel by Eric Zeisl, which was reconstructed and recorded by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony with Noreen Green conducting.

Another work that the LAJS has recorded and championed was Women of Valor, an oratorio by composer Andrea Clearfield, celebrating biblical women dramatically. We'll hear the movement "Miriam," sung by soprano Hila Plitmann.

And finally, music of remembrance and hope by violinist and composer Shony Alex Braun, the final two movements of his Symphony of the Holocaust, "Song of Commemoration" and "The Joy of Life."