Tchaikovsky Fest to Include Music Classes

Radio commentator, composer and conductor Robert Kapilow will lead a series of free sessions this week in Cerritos called “What Makes It Great” to help children and adults better understand and appreciate classical music.

Kapilow, who hosts “What Makes It Great” on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today,” will give the sessions in conjunction with a five-day Tchaikovsky festival at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

He’ll be accompanied by 13-year-old violinist Howard Zhang in the programs. Kapilow may be best known as the composer of a popular musical setting of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.”

“Classical masterpieces, like detective novels, have a plot and narrative, “ Kapilow said. “Patterns, expectations and surprises are the stuff not only of classical music, but of the world around us.”

Anyone who attends one of the free programs will receive an $11.50 ticket to attend one of this weekend’s performances at the Cerritos Center by the St. Petersburg State Symphony.

Kapilow’s “Tchaikovsky: When Too Much Is Just Enough” will be offered in three locations:

* 7 p.m. today: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive.

* 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday: Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park, 12341 South St. Limited seating, reservations suggested.

* 6 p.m. Tuesday: Cerritos Park East, 13234 E. 166th St. Limited seating, no reservations necessary.

Other programs by Kapilow:

* 11:30 a.m. Wednesday: “What Makes an Idea Communicate.” Cerritos Center. No reservations necessary.

* 7 p.m. Wednesday: Cerritos Public Library Multipurpose Room, 18025 Bloomfield Ave. “Tchaikovsky: Romance, Reason and Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Limited seating; first-come, first-served.

* 7 p.m. Thursday: “Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings,” with the Cerritos Chamber Orchestra. Cerritos Center. No reservations necessary.

Information: (562) 916-8500.