Pasadena Symphony and Pops

This is my fourth season at the PoPs and we just enjoy it thoroughly. There are four of us that go and we bought the season (5 shows). The venue is beautiful. Yes the parking can be a challenge but we got smart this season and bought the parking pass so we simply drive up to the drop off entrance, all of our picnic gear is removed from the car and taken to our table then the car is parked with a short walk back to the entrance. The entire experience is really lovely.

The Pops are good. The venue and the parking and the audience leave much to be desired. I hadn’t been before, but I do love the Arboretum, so I went for the tribute to Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald. However, because I didn’t buy tickets in advance, I had to park at the Nordstrom in the Santa Anita mall, and walk further than I do even for the Hollywood Bowl. When I got there, the «lawn seating» advertised at $ 10-​$ 25 was $ 25 unless you were a member of the Arboretum (which I’m not any longer because they don’t allow dogs, even on leash). OK, pay the $ 25 and see what happens. The show started late. The orchestra did most of the work. The first guest singer, Denzal Sinclair, was wonderful, but did only 4 songs before intermission (which was 25 minutes at least). Many in the audience were singing or at least humming along, ruining my ability to listen to the performers, and during intermission they were making up their own lyrics and singing truly offensive and loud songs with political messages that had no place at such an event. After waiting until after 9 pm for the second act to start (which was an orchestral medley that went on for nearly 10 minutes) I really couldn’t stand it anymore, and left at 9:30 (2 hours into the concert) without having heard Ann Hampton Callaway do any Ella Fitzgerald songs. I’m sure it was probably great if you were willing to wait all night, and put up with the inconsiderate crowd, but I won’t be wasting my time and money again at the POPS until I hear that they ask the audience to be considerate and not make noise during the performance, and be considerate themselves of people’s time. Summer concerts can be lovely, but this one left a sour taste for me…

We went to the Ladies of Broadway concert at the LA County Arboretum. I have stopped going to the Hollywood Bowl because it is such a hassle, and I was worried that the Arboretum would be a pain too, especially since Arcadia is kind of a schlep. But it was fantastic! What a wonderful experience. It took about an hour to get here from the Westside, which isn’t too bad considering it can take an hour and a half to get to the bowl, especially if you get stuck on Highland or La Brea. The Arboretum is right off the freeway, and there’s free parking right across the street at the mall with free shuttle service. And the seating is great! The table seats look really spaced out and far away from the stage on the seating chart, but the tables are actually really close to the stage. Again, what a difference from the Bowl, where performers look like ants. Music-​wise, the concert was stellar. They manage to get top Broadway names here, and each number is a showstopper. Really tempted to get season tickets next year, we had such a good time.

Evidently I’ve been posting my comments about the Pasadena Pops on the wrong site. Sort of like whistling in the wind.
So let me bring you all up to date:
When I first became a fan, there were two entities: the Pasadena Symphony and the Pasadena Pops. Jorge Mester — a Mexican Maestro of Hungarian descent, was the conductor of the Symphony for 25 years. He was quite a talent. The Pops at that time was run by Rachel Worby, former First Lady of West Virginia. She was great at outreach to children, and her programs were a breath of fresh air.
After the downturn in 2008, the organization was in a world of hurt. The first cost-​saving measure was to merge the two orchestras. They, when they couldn’t meet Mester’s salary demands, he walked. Not long after, Worby walked. It seemed that things were touch and go for a while. Then, out of the blue, they got Marvin Hamlisch to be the conductor of the Pops. Huh? How did that happen? That couldn’t have been inexpensive. Somebody must have raided a «hands off» trust fund. That’s all that I could figure out!
As for the Orchestra, they didn’t really seem to replace Mester — there were just a series of guest conductors for a few years.
Hamlisch used his amazing connections to get a great line-​up for the Pops, and that lasted about 3 years — until he suddenly died. Quite shocking! (If this reads like a soap opera, don’t blame me.)
Hamlisch was replaced by Michael Feinstein, who had no experience as a conductor — but was a very talented cabaret pianist and interpreter of the American Songbook. Many people were dubious about his conducting skills (before even giving him a chance), but his first season turned out OK! And he got Bernadette Peters to come to the Arboretum to sing to us. You can’t beat that.

Fantastic! We went to see them at the Arboretum and we happen to purchase seats in a great location. However, if you can’t afford the seats at the front tables at least get lawn seats. They can be as low as $ 20 and well worth the experience! If you can spring for the seats at the tables do so you will love it.
We brought in our own food and wine and it was a lovely evening. MGM Classics was absolutely done to perfection with a costume fashion show and the history of each song. Can’t wait to go back for the Gershwin’s in September.

I have gone to numerous performances of both the Pasadena Symphony and the Pops. All of them have been outstanding. They always bring in amazing guest conductors and soloists. I also enjoy the venues, the beautiful Ambassador Auditorium for the symphony and the lush LA Arboretum for the Pops. I am looking forward to seeing Michael Feinstein conduct the Pops this summer after the tragic passing of Marvin Hamlisch last year. Thanks to everyone at the Pasadena Symphony for working so hard to bring Pasadena such amazing classical and Broadway music!

WOW! Today was our first time at Pasadena Pops and my husband already ordered tickets for the next event!
Great atmosphere, and with his dry humor, Marvin Hamlisch made this event fun… Great orchestra as well.
A must see!!!

Fabulous! Friend and I came for a beautiful warm Saturday evening under the stars on the Rose Bowl lawn. I wanted to see this show particularly because they were playing renown Broadway musicals. Two singers with amazing vocals accompanied the orchestra all night to the tunes of My Fair Lady, Blue Skies, and more. We brought our own picnic of wine, cheese, crackers and fruit. I think no matter where you sit, you get a great view of the stage and singers, but there are two more than sufficient screens on both sides of the stage for closer viewing.
I recommend getting tickets for a table because 1) you have a place to set your food, drinks, utensils, etc. 2) seats are provided 3) you get to know your neighbors and share stories and 4) the space is reserved.
Parking is a bit of a trek if you come later, but it’s free.

Wow. Attended last night’s performance at the Pasadena Civic
, the last of conductor Jorge Mester. It was an emotion-​packed evening. The maestro has led the symphony for the last 25 years! It was an all-​Beethoven night. Mester was energetic, spry and in command. It was treat to see him conduct. Coriolan was played flawlessly. As was the Violin Concerto in D. On this night the soloist, Jennifer Frautschi, was unmatched. The 5^th Symphony (yes, THAT one) surprisingly had a number of missed notes. I suspect the orchestra had become emotional at that point, the realization that this was the final concert of Mester and the final concert in the Pasadena Civic. One annoying observation: one of the basses had a bum string that was noticeably (for me anyway) buzzing. 3 standing ovations, 2 extended, 2 encores: all deserved.
Had the good fortune to be invited to the «Gold Room» post concert. I assume this is for well-​heeled donors. Snacks, dessert, hosted bar, jazz ensemble. What a way to end the night!
The symphony provides high quality classical concerts discounted from what you would pay for the LA Phil. And the programming is more enjoyable. They offer specials throughout the year. You can usually pickup heavily discounted tickets at ArtNight
.