The José Iturbi Foundation Celebrated
“RACHMANINOFF" at the Hollywood Bowl.By Karen Ostlund
Westhollywoodtoday.blogspot CA
(August 29 2026)
The José Iturbi Foundation (JIF) was the proud sponsor of "Jose Iturbi Night”, with the LA Philharmonic, at the Hollywood Bowl, August 27 2026.
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| Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. |
It was special concert led by conductor Gemma New, featuring pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason in her
LA Phil debut.
Conductor Gemma featured The World Premiere of Adam’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 and Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances Op.45, which was completed in October 1940
Conductor Gemma featured The World Premiere of Adam’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 and Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances Op.45, which was completed in October 1940
as his final major composition.
Supporters of The José Iturbi Foundation attended as special guests of co-founder and president, Donelle Dadigan, including: Rex Smith (Broadway, TV, Film, Music star), Joel Diamond (Grammy nominated/Platinum Music Producer), Carol Connors (Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe nominee/ Elvis, Rocky and Me: The Carol Connors Story), Carolyn Hennesy (Emmy winner), Lee Purcell (2 x Emmy nominee), Ilene Graff (Grammy Nominee/ Mr. Belvedere), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone),Kathy Garver (Family Affair), Charles Fox (Grammy, 2x Emmy winner/ Oscar nominated songwriter), Bruce Vilanch (Award winning writer for Emmys, Oscars, Tony Award shows), Meredith Thomas (Premarital), Nancy Harding (Cheaper by the Dozen), Michael Learned (4xEmmy Winner/Waltons), Kate Linder (Young & Restless), Michele Lee (Knots Landing) and Ruta Lee (Funny Face/Witness for the Prosecution).
Donelle Dadigan, president and co-founder of the Jose` Iturbi Foundation said “The Jose` Iturbi Foundation’s mission is to popularize classical music to all generations, especially young people - one note at a time."
"The Foundation enjoys presenting blockbuster concerts with international superstars of classical music, and forums for young artists in the making to audiences around the world, including children at-risk and underserved communities.”
In 2023, The Jose` Iturbi Foundation launched a book and 16 CD Collectors Set titled “From Hollywood To The World The Rediscovered Recordings by Pianist & Conductor Jose`Iturbi”.
The CD collection was released on Sony Classical and produced by Donelle Dadigan and Michael Feinstein, as a special project, which was up for Grammy Nominations in the categories: Best Historical Album, Best Album Notes, Recording Package, and Box/Special/Limited Edition Package.
Donelle Dadigan, continued “José Iturbi was one of the greatest concert pianists and conductors of the 20th century. The proof is contained in this special collection of the complete RCA Victor recordings made by José himself and by his sister, concert pianist Amparo Iturbi.
It is an important contribution toward the preservation and restoration of their original masters, bringing them to listeners worldwide, and for generations to come.
The CD set captures José Iturbi’s historic and compelling performances in state-of-the-art remastering, and includes a one-of-a-kind picture book packed with information, nostalgic photographs highlighting José and Amparo Iturbi’s lives and careers, including their sold-out concerts and MGM musicals.
The José Iturbi Foundation's mission is to promote classical music in Los Angeles, which performances started in the 1930’s at the Hollywood Bowl.
José Iturbi Báguena
(28 November 1895 – 28 June 1980) was a Spanish conductor, pianist, harpsichordist and actor. He also appeared in several Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical films including Thousands Cheer (1943), Music for Millions (1944), Anchors Aweigh (1945), That Midnight Kiss (1949), and Three Daring Daughters (1948), his only leading role.
José Iturbi continued his public performances until March, 1980 when he was ordered by his doctors to take a sabbatical for health reasons. Five days after being admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital for heart problems, he died on June 28, 1980, aged 84, five months shy of his 85th birthday.
The foundation sponsors forums for "young artists in the making," who are classically trained pianists and singers - to debut their talent, to launch their careers and bring to the public's attention.
The José Iturbi Foundation was founded 1985 and has awarded more than $1Million Dollars to gifted pianists and singers from around the world, through the José Iturbi International Music Competition.
http://www.joseiturbifoundation.org
Supporters of The José Iturbi Foundation attended as special guests of co-founder and president, Donelle Dadigan, including: Rex Smith (Broadway, TV, Film, Music star), Joel Diamond (Grammy nominated/Platinum Music Producer), Carol Connors (Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe nominee/ Elvis, Rocky and Me: The Carol Connors Story), Carolyn Hennesy (Emmy winner), Lee Purcell (2 x Emmy nominee), Ilene Graff (Grammy Nominee/ Mr. Belvedere), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone),Kathy Garver (Family Affair), Charles Fox (Grammy, 2x Emmy winner/ Oscar nominated songwriter), Bruce Vilanch (Award winning writer for Emmys, Oscars, Tony Award shows), Meredith Thomas (Premarital), Nancy Harding (Cheaper by the Dozen), Michael Learned (4xEmmy Winner/Waltons), Kate Linder (Young & Restless), Michele Lee (Knots Landing) and Ruta Lee (Funny Face/Witness for the Prosecution).
Donelle Dadigan, president and co-founder of the Jose` Iturbi Foundation said “The Jose` Iturbi Foundation’s mission is to popularize classical music to all generations, especially young people - one note at a time."
"The Foundation enjoys presenting blockbuster concerts with international superstars of classical music, and forums for young artists in the making to audiences around the world, including children at-risk and underserved communities.”
In 2023, The Jose` Iturbi Foundation launched a book and 16 CD Collectors Set titled “From Hollywood To The World The Rediscovered Recordings by Pianist & Conductor Jose`Iturbi”.
The CD collection was released on Sony Classical and produced by Donelle Dadigan and Michael Feinstein, as a special project, which was up for Grammy Nominations in the categories: Best Historical Album, Best Album Notes, Recording Package, and Box/Special/Limited Edition Package.
Donelle Dadigan, continued “José Iturbi was one of the greatest concert pianists and conductors of the 20th century. The proof is contained in this special collection of the complete RCA Victor recordings made by José himself and by his sister, concert pianist Amparo Iturbi.
It is an important contribution toward the preservation and restoration of their original masters, bringing them to listeners worldwide, and for generations to come.
The CD set captures José Iturbi’s historic and compelling performances in state-of-the-art remastering, and includes a one-of-a-kind picture book packed with information, nostalgic photographs highlighting José and Amparo Iturbi’s lives and careers, including their sold-out concerts and MGM musicals.
The José Iturbi Foundation's mission is to promote classical music in Los Angeles, which performances started in the 1930’s at the Hollywood Bowl.
José Iturbi Báguena
(28 November 1895 – 28 June 1980) was a Spanish conductor, pianist, harpsichordist and actor. He also appeared in several Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical films including Thousands Cheer (1943), Music for Millions (1944), Anchors Aweigh (1945), That Midnight Kiss (1949), and Three Daring Daughters (1948), his only leading role.
José Iturbi continued his public performances until March, 1980 when he was ordered by his doctors to take a sabbatical for health reasons. Five days after being admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital for heart problems, he died on June 28, 1980, aged 84, five months shy of his 85th birthday.
The foundation sponsors forums for "young artists in the making," who are classically trained pianists and singers - to debut their talent, to launch their careers and bring to the public's attention.
The José Iturbi Foundation was founded 1985 and has awarded more than $1Million Dollars to gifted pianists and singers from around the world, through the José Iturbi International Music Competition.
http://www.joseiturbifoundation.org
