Online Concerts
In 2020, our lives were moved inside and on-line because of COVID 19. With public concerts closed, we missed
sharing the music we present with our wonderful audiences in Culver City and Marina del Rey. In our efforts to adapt,
we embarked on sharing on-line concerts of musicians who are members, friends, associates, and concerto
competition winners of the Orchestra.
We hope these outstanding musical events helped to carry all of us through those times.
Oqtay Zülfüqarov Piano Trio
This special video, premiered in May 2022, performed by
Annelle Gregory (violin), Ruslan Biryukov (cello) and Rufus
Choi (piano) and produced with the support of the
Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, is the first
known recording of Oqtay Zülfüqarov’s Piano Trio,
composed in 1957.
Recorded in July 2021, this was the last project produced
by our late Music Director and Conductor, Frank Fetta, and
is presented in his memory.
Oqtay Zülfüqarov (1929-2016) studied cello and composition at the State Conservatory in Baku, and was a student of
Professor Gara Garayev, one of the most famous Azerbaijani composers. He composed operas, ballet, concerts for
cello and flute, symphonic poems, cantatas, symphonies, instrumental pieces, music for theater and cinema and more.
He also composed over 200 songs for children and is known as one of the greatest children's composers of Azerbaijan.
This special video, premiered in May 2022, performed by
Annelle Gregory (violin), Ruslan Biryukov (cello) and Rufus
Choi (piano) and produced with the support of the
Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, is the first
known recording of Oqtay Zülfüqarov’s Piano Trio,
composed in 1957.
Recorded in July 2021, this was the last project produced
by our late Music Director and Conductor, Frank Fetta, and
is presented in his memory.
Oqtay Zülfüqarov (1929-2016) studied cello and composition at the State Conservatory in Baku, and was a student of
Professor Gara Garayev, one of the most famous Azerbaijani composers. He composed operas, ballet, concerts for
cello and flute, symphonic poems, cantatas, symphonies, instrumental pieces, music for theater and cinema and more.
He also composed over 200 songs for children and is known as one of the greatest children's composers of Azerbaijan.
Brass Quartet
In March 2022, our Brass Quartet presented a concert
dedicated to the memory of Frank Fetta. The Quartet, which
performs as Satin Brass, features David Costello and David
Pittel on trumpets, June Satton on trombone and Aidan
Ritchie on bass trombone. David Costello is the Orchestra’s
Principal Trumpet and June Satton is Principal Trombone.
The program referenced many of Frank's favorite works,
performed with the Orchestra over many years.
In March 2022, our Brass Quartet presented a concert
dedicated to the memory of Frank Fetta. The Quartet, which
performs as Satin Brass, features David Costello and David
Pittel on trumpets, June Satton on trombone and Aidan
Ritchie on bass trombone. David Costello is the Orchestra’s
Principal Trumpet and June Satton is Principal Trombone.
The program referenced many of Frank's favorite works,
performed with the Orchestra over many years.
Yirou Ronnie Zhang, Violin
In October 2021, Ronnie Zhang premiered a delightful
exploration of virtuosic violin works from the 18th, 19th,
and 20th centuries, including Bach, Paganini,
Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, and Bernstein.
Ronnie Zhang was the winner in the Junior Division of
the Orchestra’s 2019 Parness Concerto Competition,
impressing the judges with her performance of Edouard
Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. We look forward to
featuring Ronnie in a future concert.
In October 2021, Ronnie Zhang premiered a delightful
exploration of virtuosic violin works from the 18th, 19th,
and 20th centuries, including Bach, Paganini,
Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, and Bernstein.
Ronnie Zhang was the winner in the Junior Division of
the Orchestra’s 2019 Parness Concerto Competition,
impressing the judges with her performance of Edouard
Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. We look forward to
featuring Ronnie in a future concert.
Abriana Church, Piano
In May 2021, Abriana Church, piano, premiered an all-Liszt
program on the Culver City Symphony Orchestra YouTube
channel. The varied program includes the six Paganini
Etudes, Liszt’s transcription of Schubert’s "Der Müller und der
Bach", and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12.
Abriana was the winner in the Senior Division of the
Orchestra’s 2019 Parness Concerto Competition, impressing
the judges with her performance of Prokofiev’s Piano
Concerto No. 2. Typically, as part of the prize, she would
have performed the Concerto with the Orchestra during our 2020-21 season. Plans changed, and we look forward
to featuring Abriana in a future concert. Meanwhile, please enjoy this delightful exploration of a wide range of
Liszt’s virtuosic piano works.
In May 2021, Abriana Church, piano, premiered an all-Liszt
program on the Culver City Symphony Orchestra YouTube
channel. The varied program includes the six Paganini
Etudes, Liszt’s transcription of Schubert’s "Der Müller und der
Bach", and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12.
Abriana was the winner in the Senior Division of the
Orchestra’s 2019 Parness Concerto Competition, impressing
the judges with her performance of Prokofiev’s Piano
Concerto No. 2. Typically, as part of the prize, she would
have performed the Concerto with the Orchestra during our 2020-21 season. Plans changed, and we look forward
to featuring Abriana in a future concert. Meanwhile, please enjoy this delightful exploration of a wide range of
Liszt’s virtuosic piano works.
Rufus Choi, Piano
On Saturday December 19, 2020 Rufus Choi, Piano,
presented an exhilarating performance of Bach’s
Chaconne in D minor (arr. Busoni) and
Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
On Saturday December 19, 2020 Rufus Choi, Piano,
presented an exhilarating performance of Bach’s
Chaconne in D minor (arr. Busoni) and
Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.