Arts & Entertainment

Violinist From Palisades Serves as Concertmaster to Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra

Alexander Tseitlin, of Pacific Palisades, helps lead the 35-member orchestra Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Glendale at the opening gala of its third holiday concert.

A local violinist prepares to be concert master in leading some challenging holiday scores, in the opening gala of the third holiday concert for the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday.

In a recent interview with Alexander Tseitlin, of Pacific Palisades, he's also particularly struck by the soloists playing the holiday concert at the First Baptist Church of Glendale.

The program features acclaimed soloists cellist Ruslan Biryukov, operatic sopranos Nune Genjoian, Marine Abrahamyan-Aabdasho and tenor Haqumai Sharpe. Maestro Mikael Avetisyan will conduct.

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"There's a phenomenal cellist Ruslan Birykov," Tseitlin said, who is the lead concertmaster, serving as the right hand man to the conductor's lead. "I met him years ago in Europe. He's one fo the most talented I've ever played with. The vocalists who are singing are abolsutely stunning."

Tseitlin made his orchestral debut at age 9 and has performed across the globe. He has acted as a conductor and professor, spreading his talent as a master violinist and musician.

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"I couldn't be more excited," he said about working with the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra. "It's great seeing Glendale [Philharmonic] connect so well with community and entire L.A. area. This is my first concert sitting in with them. It's a gresat group of musicians. They're very talented."

As concertmaster, Tseitlin will communicate with the principals of each section, and then they communicate down to their players.

"There's a fair share of both leading and sharing," he said. "A concertmaster does play for more than he leads. The conuductor shapes. I need to make sure his vision and interpretation is getting executed as it should."

"Masquerade Suite" is one of Tseitlin's favorite holiday pieces.

"The Russian composers tend to write musical acrobatics for the players," he said. We have a challenging job ahead of us with a piece that requires a ton of fast notes, but it's still incredibly inspiring and fun to play."

"I want them singing it on the way home," Tseitlin added about the audience.

The orchestra’s repertoire will include such Christmas favorites as "Sleigh Ride," "Belle of the Ball" and "A Christmas Festival" by famous composer LeRoy Anderson, the first artist to ever sell a million copies of an instrumental recording. Known for his artistry and passion, award-winning cellist Biryukov will play David Popper's famous "Hungarian Rhapsody." Operatic soprano Genjoian, (who appeared with the Armenian National Opera Theatre for over two decades), will perform Verdi's "Brindisi" and Marine Abrahamyan-Abdasho will give voice to traditional Armenian folk songs and other selections. Sharpe's appearance will include a stirring rendition of Schubert’s "Ave Maria" and Franck’s "Panis Angelicus."

Founded by Biryukov, the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra consists of 35
professional musicians. The orchestra made its official debut to rave reviews and a sold-out crowd at The First Baptist Church of Glendale in January of 2010. Now one of the leading musical groups in the community, over 20,000 people have attended the orchestra’s concerts since its inception almost three years ago.

Sunday's peformance starts at 4 p.m. and the church is located at 209 N. Louise St.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 323-663-3601 & 818- 243-ALEX(2539) or online at www.GlendalePhil.com or www.GlendaleArts.org or www.CelloArt.com. For Armenian and Russian speaking patrons, tickets may be purchased by calling 818-265-0506 or online at www.TicketMicket.com.

Visit Tseitlin's website here. He's also the director and non-faculty at Eleos Music School in Pacific Palisades.


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