Culver City Observer -

New West Symphony and Grammy award-winning musical director/conductor Michael Christie are presenting a concert on April 2 at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and on April 3 at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo. A performance that you do not want to miss.

Written within a few years of each other, three musical titans composed bold works that captured a spirit of national pride and musical awakening - Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jean Sibelius, and Scott Joplin.

Michael Christie

International sensation, piano virtuoso, and Malibu resident, Andrew von Oeyen, will be performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. Von Oeyen exemplifies both the composer's typical bravado, and an awareness of international musical trends of the early 20th century. Julliard-trained, he is hailed worldwide for his elegant and insightful interpretations, balanced artistry and brilliant technique, and has established himself as one of the most captivating pianists of his generation.

The "Dean" of Finnish composers, Sibelius used classical proportions and inspiration to create a beautiful folk influenced symphony, Symphony No. 3, championed by Christie during his performance at the First International Sibelius Conductors Competition in 1995.

And Joplin was key to the "Ragtime" movement that would sweep the nation even in the face of blatant racist barriers. His opera, Treemonisha, wasn't heard in his lifetime, but is a striking work that immediately calls to mind the musical genres that made Joplin famous. Tenor Ashley Faatoalia, noted for his soaring operatic voice and stage presence, will most certainly bring this piece to life.