Bowl Orchestra Plans Fireworks Debut

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra makes its debut July 2 under the direction of John Mauceri in a fireworks concert featuring works by American composers. The three-night engagement marks the first live performances of the new organization.

The orchestra returns to the Bowl July 12-13 in the first of its five weekend performances spread over the summer. With a little help from Gregory Hines and Patti Austin, the orchestra will perform selections by George Gershwin--all in preparation for a recording session to be held three days later at the former MGM studios in Culver City.

That album will be the second in a series of 15 planned for Philips Classics over the next five years. Due in the fall, the album will feature Gershwin screen music, ranging from the 1931 “Delicious” to the 1938 “The Goldwyn Follies,” as well as the 1937 Fred Astaire films “Damsel in Distress” and “Shall We Dance.”

Hines and Austin will be the vocalists on “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” “An American in Paris,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and “A Foggy Day,” among others, according to executive producer Michael Gore.

Other Bowl dates include July 19-20, and Aug. 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24.

Gore said the orchestra will return to the studios in the fall to record overtures by Richard Rodgers for release in early 1992. He also expects the orchestra to record Beethoven symphonies, some Wagner, jazz and Broadway pieces as well as more film scores. The orchestra also plans to commission new works.

Present plans also call for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra to tour Japan at the end of December.