Last Sunday afternoon's Second Recital presented at the 2012 Summer Festival offered an eclectic and diverse program by the Composers' Ensemble of Los Angeles (CELA).
This outstanding ensemble is comprised of three brass, four woodwinds and five strings, and virtually all of the players are professional musicians as well as composers or arrangers. Many of them have had successful careers doing studio work, performing in shows, concert halls, clubs, and other venues; and some works have been played throughout the United States, Mexico, Europe, Israel and China.
The program consisted of nine numbers. Seven were original compositions written by five members of the group: Charles Fernandez, Michael Kibbe, Kim Richman, David Ryan and Larry Tuttle; an eighth piece was arranged by Charles Fernandez, who soloed on the bassoon, and the last was an arrangement by Marcy Vaj, who soloed on the violin.
The audience applauded enthusiastically after each selection and gave the ensemble a standing ovation at the conclusion. Everyone agreed that it was a most enjoyable and unique musical "happening."
For more information about CELA, visit: www.wix.com/jazzkim/cela