A CLASSIC NIGHT DEDICATED TO LEGENDARY CLASSICAL
MUSIC PIANIST AND COMPOSER JOSE ITURBI!
The beautiful Hollywood Museum pulled out all the stops to celebrate legendary Latin conductor and pianist Jose Iturbi in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.
The evening was graciously hosted by Donelle Dadigan, president of the museum. She is Iturbi's God-daughter and president and founder of the Jose Iturbi Foundation.
The Jose Iturbi Foundation presents "From Hollywood to The World: The Rediscovered Recordings of Pianist and Conductor Jose Iturbi" and the evening celebrated the recent release of the commemorative 16 CD, 188 page box set/coffee table book. This very special project produced by Donelle Dadigan, Michael Feinstein and Robert Russ (Sony Classic Records) is being promoted for Grammy consideration in 3 categories - Best Album Notes, Best Historical Album and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.
The entertaining and charming event included a memorable conversation hosted by legendary film historian Leonard Maltin with a very noteworthy trio - Michael Feinstein, Charles Fox and Donelle Dadigan and we were treated by all three to special performances on Iturbi's beautiful personal 9 foot black Baldwin Concert Grand Piano.
The coffee table book includes a detailed biographical essay by "Ambassador for the American Songbook" and co-producer of the set Michael Feinstein.
The CD set captures Jose Iturbi's historic and compelling performances in state of the art digitally remastered CD's and is a one of a kind book highlighting Iturbi's sold out concerts, MGM Musicals and classical recordings with a special tribute to his sister renown concert pianist Amparo Iturbi and much more. Iturbi was one of the greatest pianists and conductors of the 20th century and was the first musician in history to sell one million copies of a record and the first musician to receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in commemoration of this huge milestone.
The mission of the Jose Iturbi Foundation is to popularize classical music for all generations, especially young people, one note at a time. To learn more visit
http://www.joseiturbifoundation.org
Each guest received a beautiful Jose Iturbi Hollywood Walk of Fame pin.
Thank you Donelle, Steve Nycklemoe, publicists Harlan Boll and Roger Neal for a great evening. Delicious eats and treats catered by Douglas Newton Private Events
Collages by Harrison Held and Nyla Arslanian
Photos courtesy Nina Prommer, James Kong and Derek Yee.