LA Philharmonic playing rare concert in Whittier

WHITTIER — In a rare local performance, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform a free concert in Whittier next month.

The concert is scheduled for Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier High School.

“It isn’t always easy to get your family to Downtown Los Angeles or to the Hollywood Bowl to see the Philharmonic -- so we are bringing the L.A. Phil to you,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who partnered with the Whittier Chamber of Commerce and Whittier Union High School District to make the concert possible.

“The L.A. Phil is a local treasure and these neighborhood concerts are an incredible opportunity to experience it, for free, right in your community. I have been looking forward to bringing the L.A. Phil to Whittier for a long time and I want to thank the Whittier Chamber of Commerce and Whittier Union High School for helping make it possible.”

The concert will feature the L.A. Phil, led by Associate Conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, performing works by Beethoven, Duke Ellington, Aldemaro Romero and Leonard Bernstein, plus L.A. Phil-commissioned work by Paul Desenne.

The concert will also include a special demonstration of the newly restored 1927 Wurlitzer theater organ which was dedicated to the Vic Lopez Auditorium last year by the Whittier High School Alumni Association.

“Whittier loves music and the arts and the chamber is thrilled to be part of this exciting opportunity to bring the L.A. Phil here,” said Whittier Chamber Board Chair Elizabeth Martinez.

Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Whittier Chamber of Commerce Office.