“Music unlocks the frozen rivers of the heart.”
A truism we adopted during our college days from The Notebooks Of Anton Chekhov, the idolized Russian physician, playwright and author (1860-1904). Chekhov’s quote surfaced as we rapturously listened to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performing Vivaldi and Dvorak at the Bram Goldsmith Theater in the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
A cultural ambassador to the world, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) dates to 1936, having been under the baton of Zubin Mehta since 1977. In its earlier years, the IPO was led by Leonard Bernstein, William Steinberg, and other presences.
Conducted by the stately tall and commanding global superstar Zubin Mehta, the American Friends of Israel Debut Gala concert was co-chaired by Hollywood’s handsome power couple, Fox Filmed Entertainment chair Stacey Snider with music impresario spouse Gary Jones. Honoring City National Bank chairman emeritus Bram Goldsmith, the real estate developer who built 30 towers in Beverly Hills, and most likely didn’t know what he was getting into when he embarked on the “impossible obstacle” of 14 years to realize his Wallis dream. Bram’s son Bruce acknowledged his father’s philanthropic blood, sweat and tears to create this lovely 500-seat theater, a long-overdue venue of comfort and availability for the culturally savvy Westsiders.
Bram’s sculptor wife Elaine, whose dad Benjamin Maltz founded the City National Bank, remains active in charitable work. Their son Russell Goldsmith is today’s chairman/CEO of City National that has served Beverly Hills and environs.
The changing of the guard at the Wallis also was announced, with proud civic leader Jerry Magnin handing over the Wallis’ chairmanship after three tireless years to philanthropic entrepreneur David Bohnett, previously chairman of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Rachel Fine now steps into the role of managing director.
A partnership between Israel and the City of Beverly Hills was announced by BH Mayor Julian Gold.
The Wallis’ newly appointed Brit-born artistic director Paul Crewes was introduced, before Israel Consul General David Siegel explained: “With this partnership, we are committed to bringing the best of Israel’s help to confront the California drought, enhance cyber security, and share our best practices and technologies related to public safety.
“Israel is a small country, but we are recognized around the world as a super power when it comes to these critical issues. Israel is the top water recycler in the world, approaching 90-percent in the coming years.
“Through recycling, reuse, and desalinization, Israel is able to leverage twice the amount of water provided by nature. We brought drip irrigation to the world to allow for more efficient use of water while growing healthy crops.”
What better than Wolfgang Puck catering the post-concert dinner of grilled sea bass, and friends visiting with Susan and Gray Davis, Marcia Hobbs, Debbie Allen, Jolene and George Schlatter, Ginny Mancini with son Chris, politicos Marylouise Oates and Bob Shrum, Allison Janney, Vicki Reynolds, Murray Pepper, Burt Sugarman with wife Mary Hart. On Jan. 2, Mary hosts the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala honoring Cate Blanchett.
The Palm Springs festival remains a favorite with past honorees. The likes of Steven Spielberg, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Chris Rock, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Ben Affleck. They soak up the desert sunshine and bathing-beauty lifestyle. Even for a day or two, thanks to the all-expenses-paid largesse of their Tinsel Town filmmaker sponsors.