VIDEO: L.A. Youth Orchestra Opens Season at Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills

The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra (LAYO) opened their first season at the Saban Theatre Sunday with Beethoven, Mozart, Berlioz and international star Theodore Bikel.

The Oscar-nominated actor and musician joined Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Mitchell Newman in a new orchestral piece commissioned by the Daniel Pearl Foundation. "Stories From My Favorite Planet," written by LAYO maestro Russell Steinberg, highlights the words of the Encino journalist (and youthful violinist) who was killed by terrorists.

The Concert Orchestra played works by Beethoven, Berlioz, Chopin and Tschaikovsky, the LAYO Chamber Orchestra offered up Mozart and Mendelsohn. Members of the LAYO Brass Quintet entertained during intermission.

Video by Dennis Wilen for BeverlyHills.Patch.com

Theodore Bikel and Dr. Judea Pearl in Beverly Hills

Theodore Bikel (l) and  Judea Pearl

‎Judea Pearl (right) and Oscar-nominated Theodore Bikel posed together at the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra Concert (LAYO) Sunday at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

LAYO played conductor Russell Steinberg's "Stories From My Favorite Planet," based on articles written by Daniel Pearl, Judea's son.

Bikel narrated and the LAPhil's Mitchell Newman guest-soloed on violin.

My video of the event will be online soon @ beverlyhills.patch.com.