LW musician will be featured on Spectrum news segment

LW ORCHESTRA

Leisure World resident Yuri Lotakov will be featured on Spectrum LA News One for undertaking one of music’s most challenging piano works, Edvard Grieg’s “Concerto in A minor,” during the Leisure World Orchestra’s June 7 concert, which will be held in Clubhouse 2 at 1 p.m.

Lotakov, who will be 80 this year, was taped during the orchestra’s rehearsal to illustrate music’s role in fostering seniors’ mental acuity for Spectrum’s report on Mental Health Awareness Month. Lotakov and orchestra conductor Linda DeRungs were interviewed by Spectrum’s Kristopher Gee, who won a Los Angeles Press Club award for his arts and culture coverage.

Gee indicated Lotakov’s interview will be aired across Spectrum’s vast Southern California cable network. In Leisure World, it can be seen by Spectrum subscribers on Channel 1, or by visiting Spectrum News’ website: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/ southern-california.

Ukrainian-born Lotakov, who performed his first formal concert as a 9-year-old, was trained and then taught at Kiev’s Conservatory of Music. He was enjoying a distinguished performing career in Europe and Russia until he petitioned Soviet authorities to emigrate to the United States. He lost his faculty position and his performance tours were halted. After finding his way to Los Angeles two years later, Lotakov made a living in information technology but faithfully continued his piano practice.

In addition to Lotakov’s performance during the June 7 concert, the orchestra will be accompanying Gilbert and Sullivan specialist Carol Winston in two works from the pair’s comic opera, “The Mikado.” In a program largely devoted to theater music, conductor DeRungs will lead the orchestra’s 50 members in the “Habanera” aria from “Carmen,” the “Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” and crowd-favorite “Bugler’s Holiday” by American composer Leroy Anderson.

Admission to the June 7 concert is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Refreshments will be offered after the performance.

—William Thompson