Raymond Neutra, the son of renowned 20th century architect Richard Neutra, fondly recalls the classical music that used to fill the family home in Silverlake, especially Bach, his parents’ favorite composer.
“My mother, who studied with Hugo Becker in Berlin and Eleanor Schoenfeld in Los Angeles, played Bach cello suites there,” Raymond Neutra fondly recalls.
The Neutra VDL House, donated to Cal Poly Pomona 20 years ago, will again be a gathering place for music with two fund-raising piano performances, the result of the urging of Raymond Neutra and a collaboration between the university’s music and architecture departments.
“This will be a good opportunity for my students and a chance to revive a musical tradition,” says music Professor Nadia Shpachenko. “I have a strong studio piano class, and the outstanding students will be performing solo and four-hands [pairs] piano repertoire representing the Neutra family’s most beloved composers.”
The recitals, featuring the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin and others, will take place on Saturday, May 8 at 4 p.m. and on May 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 (cash or check), with proceeds going toward maintenance and restoration of the house. Seating is limited, and guests are asked to arrive half an hour before each performance. RSVP by emailing Sarah Lorenzen, an assistant professor of architecture, at sarah@neutra-vdl.org. The house is located at 2300 Silver Lake Blvd. in Los Angeles, and street parking will be available.
“Students will have a recital opportunity for their resume, the community will have a memorable evening, we will help fix the house, and my mother’s spirit will be delighted that music will resound once more in her home,” Raymond Neutra says.