Yearly Vivaldi Performance Spotlights Debut Soloists from the First Year
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is set to host its annual Vivaldi concert on Friday, Feb. 28 at 8:00 p.m., this time in Schoenberg Hall due to construction at Powell Library. This unique event is a highlight of the school's year, offering a platform for first-year string students to showcase their talents and develop their performance skills.
Christian Gonzales (class of 2022) will be one of the stars of the night, performing the solo violin in "Winter" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Gonzales's selection of the piece was personally chosen by his violin professor, Movses Pogossian, who felt it matched his student's unique personality.
Gonzales, who won the Atwater Kent String Concerto Competition in 2022 and completed a master's at the Juilliard School in 2024, described a sense of "inner electricity" when performing with professionals at the Vivaldi concert. He credits the experience as a significant influence in his artistic development.
First-year violinist Andrew Dela Peña will also take the stage, performing the second and third movements of Spring from Four Seasons. Ninety students from Mountain View Elementary will also attend this year's concert, providing a unique opportunity for young musicians to be inspired by the talent on display.
The Vivaldi concert is a Music for Food concert, supporting the food services of Ketchum Downtown YMCA. Violin professor Movses Pogossian, who is also the head of the Los Angeles chapter of Music for Food, stated that "Live music is nourishment."
The performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, one of the most recognizable musical compositions in the world, is a testament to the school's commitment to fostering musical talent. The concert is also a proud tradition at the school of music, following in the footsteps of the late cello professor Antonio Lysy, who taught at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for twenty years.
In addition to the first-year students, another talented group of students will be performing on stage with faculty, making the concert a truly collaborative event. The annual Vivaldi concert offers a special opportunity for students to develop their performance chops and artistic voices, while providing the audience with a memorable night of music.
During the Vivaldi concert, a collective effort is observed as first-year students like Christian Gonzales and Andrew Dela Peña collaborate with faculty members, showcasing their talents and enhancing their performance skills. Meanwhile, the event serves as an educational and inspirational platform for young musicians from Mountain View Elementary, fostering an appreciation for music, education-and-self-development, entertainment, and lifestyle.
