By special contributor to the News, Gina Hall
Grammy-nominated Andres Cardenes, conducted by his sister Arlette, gave a spirited solo violin performance alongside the 34-member Culver City Chamber Orchestra as the 2010 season wrapped up Sunday at Santa Monica’s Eli and Edythe Broad Stage.
The all-Beethoven concert was hosted by KUSC’s Alan Chapman, who introduced each piece with humorous historical anecdotes about the beloved composer, whose 250th birthday celebration is a mere 10 years away.
The performance commenced with an overture from Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio. Next on the program and the highlight of the evening, however, was the Violin Concerto in D Major. There was no hint of sibling rivalry as Arlette energetically led her brother and the orchestra through the three movements.
Chapman informed the audience that the Beethoven concerto was not well-received after its premiere in 1806, but was later revived to acclaim in 1844 by 12-year-old -violinist Joseph Joachim, who was conducted by Felix Mendelssohn.
After intermission, the concert concluded with Symphony No. 8. Chapman reminded the audience that while Beethoven’s eighth was not as initially popular as his seventh, the composer himself regarded it as a superior work.
It was the CCCO’s first -performance at the Broad Stage. The venue provided the small but engaged audience with an intimate experience that highlighted Andres’ talent and earned him multiple standing ovations.
Andres has been featured as a solo artist with more than 100 orchestras on four continents. His discography includes more than two dozen recordings, with the complete works for violin by Leonardo Balada and the Beethoven Concerto being released this fall.
Andres and Arlette grew up in Culver City. They both attended El Marino Elementary School. Arlette attended Culver City High School and went on to earn a Master of Music degree in cello performance on full scholarship from the University of Michigan. After touring Europe and serving as operations manager with the Inland Empire Symphony Orchestra, she returned to Culver City to found the CCCO in 1997. She currently acts as its executive director.
But the Cardenes’ family ties to the CCCO do not end with the siblings. Their parents, Andres and Arlene Cardenes, serve as board member and treasurer, respectively, and sister Alys Aguirre is currently board secretary.
The Cardenes family is committed to music education and claims that the Culver City public schools no longer offer the high-quality music programs that allowed for their own successes. Their mission is to expose young, local audiences to classical music and give amateur musicians the opportunity to play with seasoned professionals. To date the CCCO has performed over 60 concerts for the Culver City community, with plans to resume performances in 2011. For more information, go to www.ccchamberorchestra.com.
Arlene Lafferty Says:
Tue, Aug 31 2010 12:09 PMIt was an entralling and memorable experience to see Andres play alongside the orchestra led by his sister, Arlette. I felt the passion that both of them have for their music. I am so fortunate to be apart of it.
Bob Armer Says:
Sat, Aug 28 2010 01:32 PMThe Cardenes Family does it again. Congratulations to all of my close friends, The Cardenes.
All is well in Central Oregon.
Bob
Andres Cardenes (Sr.) Says:
Fri, Aug 27 2010 04:57 PMIt is indeed a great article and I appreciate the interest of Gina Hall attending the concert and the well written and detailed description of the performances.
Thank you.